SB 5764
SignedSenate
Ambulance transport fund
Repealing the expiration date for the ambulance transport fund.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill removes the expiration date for Washington’s Ambulance Transport Fund, ensuring the fund remains in place permanently instead of sunsetting. It also repeals outdated statutory language that referenced the fund’s previous expiration dates.
- Removes the expiration date for the Ambulance Transport Fund, allowing it to continue operating indefinitely.
- Repeals the statutory deadline that previously required the fund to end (originally set for July 1, 2020, under 2020 c. 354).
- Eliminates related statutory provisions that tied fund operations to the expiration date, including reporting or sunset requirements.
Who is affected
- Emergency medical services (EMS) providers and ambulance companies — The fund supports emergency medical services (EMS) and ambulance services across the state, especially those serving low-income or rural communities.
- Washington residents who use ambulance services — Residents who rely on ambulance services—especially those on Medicaid (Apple Health) or without insurance—may benefit from more stable funding for emergency transport.
- Washington State Department of Health — The state agency that administers the fund and allocates money to local EMS agencies and ambulance providers.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (3)
By permanently extending the Ambulance Transport Fund, the bill prevents potential service disruptions or funding gaps that could arise if the fund had expired, especially for rural and underserved communities that rely on state support for ambulance services. This enhances continuity of emergency medical response capacity across the state.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1 (repeal of RCW 74.70.901 and related sunset provisions)The fund supports ambulance services for Medicaid (Apple Health) enrollees and uninsured residents, reducing out-of-pocket costs and access barriers for low-income Washingtonians during medical emergencies. Permanent funding helps ensure equitable access to life-saving transport services.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 1 (repeal of RCW 74.70.901 and related sunset provisions)Local EMS agencies and fire districts that operate ambulance services gain long-term budget certainty, allowing them to plan staffing, equipment purchases, and service expansion without annual uncertainty over state funding. This improves operational stability at the local level.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 1 (repeal of RCW 74.70.901 and related sunset provisions)
Potential Concerns (1)
This bill eliminates statutory sunset provisions, removing a built-in accountability mechanism that could have prompted periodic legislative review of the fund’s effectiveness, efficiency, or need for reform. While this provides stability, it reduces the likelihood of future evaluation or adjustment based on changing needs or performance metrics.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 1 (repeal of RCW 74.70.901 and related sunset provisions)
Who Is Most Affected
EMS providers and ambulance companies—especially those in rural or underfunded areas—benefit from stable, ongoing funding, reducing financial risk and enabling reliable service delivery.
Low-income residents, Medicaid beneficiaries, and uninsured individuals benefit from continued access to no- or low-cost ambulance transport, reducing financial toxicity during medical emergencies.
The Department of Health retains its current administrative role but loses a statutory trigger for periodic reassessment; overall impact is neutral-mixed, as stability is gained but future reform opportunities are reduced.