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LD 1676

Resolve, To Study Ways To Improve Recruitment And Retention Of Rural Emergency Medical Services Personnel Through Access To Health Insurance

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Steve Bishop and 7 co-sponsors

Study whether improving health-insurance access for rural EMS workers boosts recruitment and retention, via a commission and a final legislative report.

Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
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Bill Summary · LD 1676

Summary of LD 1676 (Resolve, To Study Ways To Improve Recruitment And Retention Of Rural Emergency Medical Services Personnel Through Access To Health Insurance)

Bill overview

  • Bill number and title: LD 1676, a Resolve focusing on studying recruitment and retention of rural EMS personnel through access to health insurance.
  • Status: Dead (Placed in Legislative Files).
  • Introduction date: April 17, 2025.
  • Classification/subject: Resolve; Emergency Medical Services, Health Insurance, Personnel.

Purpose and intent

  • The bill directs the Legislature to study how to improve the recruitment and retention of rural Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel by enhancing access to health insurance.
  • It is a research directive, not an immediate policy enactment, meaning it would establish a commission to analyze options and report back with findings and recommendations.

Key provisions and mechanisms

  • Formation of a study commission: The bill envisions convening a commission (or using an existing body) to examine strategies linking health insurance access to EMS recruitment and retention in rural areas.
  • Scope of study: Focus areas would include health insurance access as a factor influencing the ability of rural EMS agencies to recruit and retain personnel, potentially evaluating employer-sponsored plans, affordable coverage options, subsidies, eligibility, and related workforce incentives. (Specific options would be defined in the commission’s work plan and final report.)
  • Reporting requirement: The commission would produce a report with findings and recommendations for the Legislature. The precise reporting deadline is not specified in the provided materials.
  • Participating agencies: The fiscal note identifies participation by multiple state agencies—primarily the Department of Public Safety (for convening the commission and reporting), with involvement from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Administrative and Financial Services.

Affected parties

  • Rural EMS personnel and EMS providers: Primary beneficiaries, as the study centers on improving recruitment and retention via health insurance access.
  • State agencies: Department of Public Safety, Department of Health and Human Services, and Department of Administrative and Financial Services would participate in the study.
  • Rural communities: Could benefit from improved EMS coverage if recruitment and retention improve.

Fiscal impact

  • Cost estimate: Minor cost increase to the General Fund.
  • Allocation of costs: Costs to convene the commission and report back are considered minor and can be absorbed within existing resources. Similar minor costs are anticipated for DHHS and AFS to participate on the commission.
  • Overall: No significant new program funding is indicated; the fiscal note suggests costs would be modest and manageable within current budgets.

Legislative timeline and status

  • Commitment and committee action: Referred to the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety (CJPS) on 2025-04-17. Work session held 2025-05-07; divided report issued (Voted - Divided Report) the same day.
  • Committee action result: Reported Out as ONTP/OTP-AM on 2025-05-07 (indicating mixed or amended recommendations).
  • Floor actions and final disposition (late 2025):
    • 2025-06-09: Majority Ought Not to Pass (MOP) report accepted, and the measure advanced to concurrence.
    • 2025-06-10: Concurrence actions completed; the bill was sent forthwith.
    • 2025-06-10: Final status recorded as Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD).

Takeaway

LD 1676 seeks to evaluate whether improving access to health insurance for rural EMS personnel could enhance recruitment and retention, via a state-led commission and reporting mechanism. Fiscal impact is expected to be minor, with no immediate policy changes enacted. The bill ultimately did not advance beyond legislative files and is considered dead.

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

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