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
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 1733
Committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Sponsors: DIAMOND, BABBIDGE, BLANCHETTE, CUMMINGS, FAIRCLOTH, GERZOFSKY, PINGREE

Legislative Document 
No. 1733 
H.P. 1216 
House of Representatives, March 26, 2007 
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) 
Reference to the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety suggested and ordered 
printed. 
Presented by Representati ve TUTTLE of Sanford. 
Cosponsored by Senator DIAMOND of Cumberland and 
'7r/~ /J7.7l!~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representatives: BABBIDGE of Kennebunk, BLANCHETTE of Bangor, Speaker 
CUMMINGS of Portland, FAIRCLOTH of Bangor, GERZOFSKY of Brunswick, PINGREE 
of North Haven. 
Printed nn recycl~d paf'ltT 
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, 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
PART A 
Sec. A-I. 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 
All Other 
FUND FOR A HEALTHY MAINE TOTAL 
2007-08 
$180,000 
$180,000 
2008-09 
$180,000 
$180,000 
PARTB 
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-S. 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-I0. 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.