Downloads
CS/HB 1487 —Emergency Services
by Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee and Rep. Basabe and others (CS/SB 1644 by Transportation Committee and Senator Rodriguez)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Transportation Committee (TR)
The bill removes the limitation of two red or red and white warning signals (emergency lights) on privately owned vehicles belonging to firefighters, certain medical personnel, and organ transport vehicles responding to emergencies.
The bill revises the criteria for a faith-based, nonprofit, volunteer ambulance service to obtain an exemption from the certificate of public convenience and necessity (COPCN) requirement. The bill increases the minimum requirements for years of experience from 10 to 15, and the minimum number of volunteer emergency medical technicians and paramedics from 50 to 150. The bill also requires these volunteers to operate in at least three counties.
The bill also expands eligibility for a COPCN exemption by making the exemption available in 15 counties, rather than four counties; and allows a volunteer ambulance service that receives government funding to qualify for this exemption. The bill also prohibits a volunteer ambulance service from receiving funds from any grant program designed exclusively for publicly operated fire departments or emergency medical service agencies.
The bill requires an applicant for a COPCN exemption to submit an affidavit to the Department of Health attesting that it meets the statutory requirements for the exemption. The bill provides that submitting a fraudulent affidavit is a misdemeanor of the first degree.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect July 1, 2025.
Vote: Senate 37-0; House 115-0