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69th Legislature SJ 13
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – SJ 13
ENROLLED BILL
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF
MONTANA REQUESTING AN INTERIM STUDY OF STATEWIDE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
PLANNING, COORDINATION, AND FUNDING TO ENSURE THE EQUITABILITY OF EMERGENCY
MEDICAL SERVICES THROUGHOUT MONTANA; AND REQUIRING THAT THE FINAL RESULTS OF THE
STUDY BE REPORTED TO THE 70TH LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, emergency medical services are essential to a well-functioning health system, providing
services such as life-saving treatment, patient transport, and community health outreach; and
WHEREAS, reliable emergency medical services response throughout Montana is vital to the well-
being of residents, workers, and visitors; and
WHEREAS, Montana currently lacks a comprehensive and equitable statewide emergency medical
services planning, coordination, and funding system under Title 50, chapter 6, MCA, to ensure the reasonable
availability of emergency medical services throughout the state; and
WHEREAS, rural emergency medical services are strained, with demand increasing due to population
growth, changing demographics, and tourism; and
WHEREAS, local emergency medical services agencies, particularly those in rural areas, face rising
costs that exceed their resources and capabilities, jeopardizing their ability to meet increased demand for
emergency medical services and ensure readiness for residents and visitors; and
WHEREAS, funding is often inconsistent or rigid, which fails to ensure that the quality and quantity of
emergency medical services needed in various parts of the state align with the present and anticipated future
demands for services; and
WHEREAS, lack of adequate funding or other critical resources has caused and is causing numerous
problems, including but not limited to service calls with delayed response time, inadequate resources to provide
69th Legislature SJ 13
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – SJ 13
ENROLLED BILL
care, and, in extreme cases, the complete shutdown of a fire department and their related emergency medical
services.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF
THE STATE OF MONTANA:
That the Legislative Council be requested to designate an appropriate interim committee or statutory
committee, pursuant to section 5-5-217, MCA, or direct sufficient staff resources to:
(1) consider the implications of recognizing emergency medical services as a statewide essential
service;
(2) assess current emergency medical services capabilities relative to present and anticipated
future demands for services over the next 5 years;
(3) identify areas of the state with a recognized lack of emergency medical services and examine
the reasons for the lack of services;
(4) review and assess current funding mechanisms available to emergency medical services
providers;
(5) coordinate with each county and the department of public health and human services to
determine the additional resources needed to ensure the timely and appropriate provision of emergency
medical services in each county for the upcoming 5 years.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if the study is assigned to staff, any findings or conclusions be
presented to and reviewed by an appropriate committee designated by the Legislative Council.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all aspects of the study, including presentation and review
requirements, be concluded prior to September 15, 2026.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final results of the study, including any findings, conclusions,
comments, or recommendations of the appropriate committee, be reported to the 70th Legislature.
- END -
I hereby certify that the within bill,
SJ 13, originated in the Senate.
___________________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
___________________________________________
President of the Senate
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025.
___________________________________________
Speaker of the House
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025.
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 13
INTRODUCED BY J. FULLER
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF
MONTANA REQUESTING AN INTERIM STUDY OF STATEWIDE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
PLANNING, COORDINATION, AND FUNDING TO ENSURE THE EQUITABILITY OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL
SERVICES THROUGHOUT MONTANA; AND REQUIRING THAT THE FINAL RESULTS OF THE STUDY BE
REPORTED TO THE 70TH LEGISLATURE.