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Bill

HB 320

SUPPLEMENTAL PAY: Provides state supplemental pay to public emergency medical services practitioners (OR +$5,040,000 GF EX See Note)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Larry Bagley

Louisiana allocates $5.04 million to supplement pay for public emergency medical services workers, addressing workforce retention in critical emergency response services.

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
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Bill Summary · HB 320

Legislative bill overview

HB 320 appropriates $5.04 million in general fund expenditures to provide supplemental pay increases to public emergency medical services (EMS) practitioners in Louisiana. The bill represents a direct state investment in EMS worker compensation and is currently under review by the Appropriations Committee.

Why is this important

EMS workers face chronic workforce shortages and low pay relative to comparable professions, contributing to burnout and service gaps in emergency response capacity. This supplemental pay directly addresses recruitment and retention challenges in a critical public safety sector, potentially improving response times and service quality across the state.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal sustainability: One-time appropriations may create expectations for recurring funding without long-term budget commitments; unclear if this establishes permanent salary increases or temporary bonuses
  • Distribution mechanism: Bill language doesn't specify whether funds are distributed equally to all EMS practitioners, based on experience/certification level, or through local government allocation formulas
  • Competitive equity: May create salary disparities between state-supplemented public EMS workers and private ambulance services, potentially exacerbating workforce imbalances in the private sector

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

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