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SB 1161

Relating to: ambulance staffing, late renewal and reinstatement of an emergency medical services practitioner license or emergency medical responder certificate, license and certification reciprocity standards for emergency medical responders and emergency medical services practitioners, and a tax subtraction for stipends received by volunteer emergency responders. (FE)

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Howard Marklein

Sets ambulance staffing rules, eases late renewals/reinstatements and reciprocity for EMS credentials, and provides a tax subtraction for volunteer stipends.

Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1161

Overview

Senate Bill 1161 (2025, Wisconsin) addresses multiple issues in the emergency medical services (EMS) framework, including ambulance staffing, late renewal and reinstatement of EMS licenses or EMT certificates, reciprocity standards for EMS practitioners and responders, and a tax subtraction for stipends paid to volunteer emergency responders. The bill is sponsored by Senator Marklein with Senator Howard Marklein as a co-sponsor.

Primary purpose and intent

  • Improve EMS system reliability and workforce standards by clarifying staffing requirements for ambulances.
  • Streamline credential maintenance for EMS personnel through provisions on late renewals, reinstatements, and reciprocity.
  • Provide a tax subsidy to incentivize and recognize volunteer emergency responders who receive stipends.

Key provisions and changes

  • Ambulance staffing: Sets or updates requirements related to the staffing levels for ambulances operating within the state. (Details of exact staffing ratios or qualifications are not provided in the summary, but the bill explicitly targets ambulance staffing rules.)
  • Late renewal and reinstatement: Establishes processes and timelines for late renewal of an EMS practitioner license or an emergency medical responder certificate, and for reinstatement after lapse. This likely includes fees, acceptable reasons for lateness, and criteria to regain licensure/certification.
  • License and certification reciprocity standards: Creates or modifies reciprocity standards for EMS responders and EMS practitioners, enabling recognition of credentials from other jurisdictions or setting criteria for interstate or interjurisdictional practice. This covers both emergency medical responders and EMS practitioners.
  • Tax subtraction for volunteer stipends: Provides a tax subtraction (exemption or deduction) for stipends received by volunteer emergency responders. This aims to reduce the tax burden on volunteers who receive stipends for their service.
  • Related administrative and procedural alignment: The bill likely includes various conforming amendments to align statutes with these changes and to support implementation by relevant agencies (e.g., EMS, health services).

Who would be affected

  • EMS practitioners and emergency medical responders in Wisconsin, including those seeking licensure or certification and those whose credentials may lapse.
  • Ambulance services and EMS agencies responsible for staffing requirements and compliance with licensing standards.
  • Volunteer emergency responders who receive stipends from programs or organizations, due to the proposed tax subtraction.
  • State EMS regulators and agencies tasked with licensure, certification, reciprocity determinations, and administration of late renewal/reinstatement processes.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Introduced March 19, 2026; referred to the Senate Health Committee.
  • Action history shows an attempt to pass under a joint resolution (SJR 1) on March 23, 2026, but the measure did not pass pursuant to SJR 1.
  • As a bill with provisions touching licensing, staffing, reciprocity, and tax policy, it would require committee hearings, potential amendments, and two-passage votes in the Legislature, followed by any required governor action to become law.
  • Specific effective dates, transition timelines, and applicability (e.g., phased implementation vs. immediate applicability) are not provided in the summary and would be detailed in the bill text.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Practical impact on ambulance operations through clarified or updated staffing requirements.
  • Administrative ease or flexibility in licensure management via late renewal and reinstatement provisions, plus reciprocity standards that may ease cross-jurisdiction practice.
  • Financial impact for volunteers: the proposed tax subtraction could reduce tax liability for those receiving stipends, potentially encouraging volunteering.
  • Implementation considerations for agencies to administer new staffing rules, reciprocity frameworks, and renewal processes.

If you’d like, I can extract exact statutory changes (e.g., section-by-section highlights) once the official bill text is available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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