SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5567

      AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS,

                       FEBRUARY 18, 1993

Brief Description:  Allowing benefits for emergency medical service district volunteers.

SPONSORS: Senators Barr, Owen and Erwin

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5567 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Haugen, Chairman; Drew, Vice Chairman; Loveland, Oke, von Reichbauer, and Winsley.

Staff:  Rod McAulay (786‑7754)

Hearing Dates: February 16, 1993; February 18, 1993

BACKGROUND:

There are emergency medical service districts (EMSD) in the state that depend on volunteer assistance.  These volunteers are not covered under state workers' compensation provisions, nor are they covered under any relief or pension plans.  Volunteer fire fighters are covered under the Volunteer Fire Fighters' Pension and Relief Act.  Many EMSD volunteers are also volunteer fire fighters, but an estimated 100 are not.

SUMMARY:

Volunteer EMSD workers are covered under the existing volunteer fire fighters' relief and pension provisions.  A board of trustees in each county with an EMSD administers the pension and relief provisions.  The board of trustees is composed of three county commissioners, the county clerk, a councilmember from each city in the district, the head of the EMSD, and one elected member of the EMSD.

The State Board of Volunteer Fire Fighters is responsible for setting the contribution rates for the pension fund and for the relief fund.  Contributions for pensions are to be paid by the districts and the emergency workers.  Contributions for relief are to be paid by the districts.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The board of trustees may include either the county commissioners or their designees.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested February 8, 1993

TESTIMONY FOR:

This bill will make it easier to recruit and retain volunteers.  There is no cost to state or local governments.  Volunteers will make necessary contributions.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Senator Barr, prime sponsor; Mike Buckmiller, Brenda Calico, Oroville EMSD