Date: 04/14/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1275

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer House Bill 09-1275 to the Committee on ApproPASS



02:01 PM -- House Bill 09-1275

Senator Morse, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 09-1275. The bill is recommended by the Joint Select Committee on Job Creation and Economic Growth, and allows the Department of Public Health and Environment to issue provisional certifications for emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Senator Morse explained that EMTs from out-of-state must go through a background check, which can delay these individuals from immediately working. The bill, he said, would allow public health individuals to fill open positions in the state.

The following persons testified on the bill:

02:04 PM -- Mr. James Manson, representing the Denver Health Paramedic Division, testified in support of the bill. He stated that a growing number of applicants are from out-of-state, and individuals must go through a background check. He further said that the current law puts Colorado at a competitive disadvantage, and urged the committee to support the bill.

02:05 PM -- Mr. Chris Howes, representing the Emergency Medical Services Association of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

02:06 PM -- Ms. Rosemary Singer, representing Rural Metro Ambulance, testified in support of the bill. She provided the committee with background information about staffing issues for paramedics and applications. She explained that many individuals from out-of-state apply because they are interested in living in Colorado. Ms. Singer also discussed emergency and disaster situations.

02:08 PM -- Mr. Howard Paul, representing the Emergency Medical Services Association of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Paul stated that the bill would give individuals the opportunity to start working while they await the results of a background check.


02:10 PM

Senator Sandoval closed public testimony.
BILL:HB09-1275
TIME: 02:11:00 PM
MOVED:Heath
MOTION:Refer House Bill 09-1275 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed 6-0, with one excused.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Brophy
Yes
Heath
Yes
Isgar
Yes
King K.
Yes
Scheffel
Yes
Hudak
Excused
Sandoval
Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS