An Act To Provide Additional Funding for the Regional Emergency Medical Services Councils and To Establish a Study Group To Examine Funding for the Emergency Medical Services System in Maine

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  the State acknowledges the need to promote and provide for a comprehensive emergency medical services system; and

Whereas,  the State finds that the provision of emergency medical services, firefighting services, police services and emergency communications in an emergency is a matter of vital concern affecting the health, safety and welfare of the public; and

Whereas,  the State has an established statewide emergency medical services, fire, police and E-9-1-1 response system; and

Whereas,  the Maine emergency medical services system was established and developed with a regional concept; and

Whereas,  the ability to provide a coordinated emergency response to incidents of all kinds is an expectation of the general public; and

Whereas,  an independent study reported the need to develop and establish a dedicated and consistent source of funding for the emergency medical services system in Maine; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

PART A

Sec. A-1. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.

PUBLIC SAFETY, DEPARTMENT OF

Emergency Medical Services 0485

Initiative: Allocates $30,000 on a one-time basis to supplement existing funding for each of the 6 designated regional emergency medical services councils.

FUND FOR A HEALTHY MAINE	2007-08	2008-09
All Other	$180,000	$180,000
FUND FOR A HEALTHY MAINE TOTAL	$180,000	$180,000

PART B

Sec. B-1. Study Group on Funding for the Emergency Medical Services System in Maine. The Study Group on Funding for the Emergency Medical Services System in Maine, referred to in this Part as "the study group," is established.

Sec. B-2. Study group membership. The study group consists of 7 members appointed as follows:

1. Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate, each of whom serves on the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety;

2. Two members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House, each of whom serves on the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety;

3. One representative of the Emergency Medical Services' Board, appointed by the Governor;

4. One representative of the emergency medical services regional councils, appointed by the Governor; and

5. One representative of the Maine Ambulance Association, appointed by the Governor.

Sec. B-3. Chairs. The first-named Senate member is the Senate chair of the study group and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the study group.

Sec. B-4. Appointments; convening of study group. All appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this Act. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been completed. Within 15 days after appointment of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the study group, which must be no later than September 1, 2007.

Sec. B-5. Duties. The study group shall develop recommendations concerning the most appropriate means of funding the emergency medical services system in Maine and shall conduct necessary information-gathering sessions and public hearings.

Sec. B-6. Staff assistance. The Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the study group.

Sec. B-7. Compensation. The legislative members of the study group are entitled to receive the legislative per diem, as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2, and reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses related to their attendance at authorized meetings of the study group. Public members not otherwise compensated by their employers or other entities that they represent are entitled to receive reimbursement of necessary expenses and, upon a demonstration of financial hardship, a per diem equal to the legislative per diem for their attendance at authorized meetings of the study group.

Sec. B-8. Report. No later than January 15, 2008, the study group shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety and the Legislative Council. The study group is not authorized to introduce legislation. Following receipt and review of the report, the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety may submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature.

Sec. B-9. Extension. If the study group requires a limited extension of time to complete its study and make its report, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant an extension.

Sec. B-10. Budget. The chairs of the study group, with assistance from the study group staff, shall administer the study group's budget. Within 10 days after its first meeting, the study group shall present a work plan and proposed budget to the Legislative Council for its approval. The study group may not incur expenses that would result in the study group's exceeding its approved budget. Upon request from the study group, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council shall promptly provide the study group chairs and staff with a status report on the study group's budget, expenditures incurred and paid and available funds.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

summary

This bill allocates funds on a one-time basis from the Fund for a Healthy Maine to supplement existing funding for the 6 regional EMS councils. The bill also establishes a study group to develop recommendations for the funding of Maine's emergency medical services system.