SPONSOR: Cook
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass by Consent" by the Standing Committee on Local Government by a vote of 13 to 0. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Consent and Procedure by a vote of 6 to 0.
This bill modifies provisions relating to the State Advisory Council on Emergency Medical Services.
The bill changes the number of council members from 16 to no fewer than 13, removes the requirement that one member must be a resident of a city not within a county, and updates the criteria for member appointment.
This bill changes the procedure for electing a chairperson by removing the designation of the chairperson by the Governor and instead requiring the council to elect the chairperson or any other officer as deemed necessary.
The bill removes a provision stating that the regional EMS advisory committees are to serve as resources for identifying potential members of the council.
This bill is the same as HCS HB 1953 (2024).
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that it is extremely difficult to keep this advisory council properly staffed while relying only on gubernatorial appointments for its membership. Nearly half of the members currently serving on the council either want to retire or have moved to other states. Removing the geographic requirement will allow the council to focus on provider representation rather than geography.
Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Cook; Missouri Ambulance Association; and Ambulance District Association of Missouri.
OPPONENTS: Those who oppose the bill disagree with any attempt to eliminate professions from the council or decrease the number of its members.
Testifying in person against the bill was Arnie C. Dienoff. Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: