Resolve, to Reestablish and Continue the Work of the Blue Ribbon Commission to Study Emergency Medical Services in the State
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1701
Committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Sponsors: TALBOT ROSS, FARRIN, FAULKINGHAM, HASENFUS, NEWMAN, NUTTING, SALISBURY, BEEBE-CENTER, CURRY, JACKSON

Legislative Document
No. 1701
H.P. 1090
House of Representatives, April 18, 2023
Resolve, to Reestablish and Continue the Work of the Blue Ribbon 
Commission to Study Emergency Medical Services in the State
Reference to the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Speaker TALBOT ROSS of Portland.
Cosponsored by Senator FARRIN of Somerset and
Representatives: FAULKINGHAM of Winter Harbor, HASENFUS of Readfield, NEWMAN 
of Belgrade, NUTTING of Oakland, SALISBURY of Westbrook, Senators: BEEBE-CENTER 
of Knox, CURRY of Waldo, President JACKSON of Aroostook.
Sec. 1.  Establishment of Blue Ribbon Commission to Study Emergency 
Medical Services in the State.  Resolved:  That the Blue Ribbon Commission to Study 
Emergency Medical Services in the State, referred to in this resolve as "the commission," 
is established.
Sec. 2.  Commission membership.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 
353, the commission consists of 17 members:
1.  Seven members appointed by the President of the Senate as follows:
A.  Two members of the Senate, including one member of the party holding the largest 
number of seats in the Legislature and one member of the party holding the 2nd largest 
number of seats in the Legislature;
B.  Two members who are employed or volunteer in the field of emergency medical 
services, including one member who represents a community of 10,000 residents or 
more and one member who represents a community of fewer than 10,000 residents;
C.  One member who represents a statewide association of emergency medical services 
providers;
D.  One member who represents a private, for-profit ambulance service; and
E.  One member who represents a statewide association of municipalities;
2.  Eight members appointed by the Speaker of the House as follows:
A.  Four members of the House of Representatives, including 2 members of the party 
holding the largest number of seats in the Legislature and 2 members of the party 
holding the 2nd largest number of seats in the Legislature;
B.  One member who represents a tribal emergency medical service;
C.  One member who represents a volunteer emergency medical service;
D.  One member who represents a county government; and
E.  One member who represents a statewide association of hospitals;
3.  The Commissioner of Health and Human Services or the commissioner's designee; 
and
4.  The director of Maine Emergency Medical Services within the Department of Public 
Safety or the director's designee.
Sec. 3.  Chairs.  Resolved:  That the first-named Senate member is the Senate chair 
and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the 
commission.
Sec. 4.  Appointments; convening of commission.  Resolved:  That, 
notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, all appointments must be made no later than 15 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 commission, which must be no later than 30 days following the appointment 
of all members.
Sec. 5.  Duties; meetings.  Resolved:  That the commission shall examine and 
make recommendations on the structure, support and delivery of emergency medical 
services in the State.  The commission shall maintain communication and coordinate with 
Maine Emergency Medical Services as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 32, 
section 83, subsection 16-A so that Maine Emergency Medical Services is informed of the 
work of the commission and the commission is informed of the strategic planning work of 
Maine Emergency Medical Services.  The commission may look at all aspects of 
emergency medical services, including but not limited to workforce development, training, 
compensation, retention, costs, reimbursement rates, organization and local and state 
support. The commission is authorized to hold a maximum of 6 meetings.
Sec. 6.  Staff assistance.  Resolved:  That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffing services to the commission, except that Legislative Council staff support 
is not authorized when the Legislature is in regular or special session.
Sec. 7.  Report.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, no later than 
December 6, 2023, the commission shall submit a report that includes its findings and 
recommendations, including suggested legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on 
Criminal Justice and Public Safety.
SUMMARY
This resolve reestablishes the Blue Ribbon Commission to Study Emergency Medical 
Services in the State, which was previously established by the 130th Legislature in 2022.  
This 17-member commission is charged with examining and making recommendations on 
the structure, support and delivery of emergency medical services in the State.
The commission is directed to submit, no later than December 6, 2023, a report 
detailing its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Joint 
Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety.