HB 1635-S.E - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Declares an intent to explicitly recognize local jurisdictions' ability and authority to collect utility service charges to fund ambulance and emergency medical service systems that are based, at least in some part, upon a charge for the availability of these services.

Authorizes the legislative authority of any city or town to establish an ambulance service to be operated as a public utility. However, the legislative authority of the city or town shall not provide for the establishment of an ambulance service that would compete with any existing private ambulance service, unless the legislative authority of the city or town determines that the city or town, or a substantial portion of the city or town, is not adequately served by an existing private ambulance service, and the existing private ambulance service cannot be encouraged to expand its service by contract entered into between the parties. In determining the adequacy of an existing private ambulance service, the legislative authority of the city or town shall take into consideration objective generally accepted medical standards and reasonable levels of service which shall be published by the city or town legislative authority.

Requires the joint legislative audit and review committee to study and review ambulance utilities established and operated by cities under this act. The committee shall examine, but not be limited to, the following factors: The number and operational status of utilities established under this act; whether the utility rate structures and user classifications used by cities were established in accordance with generally accepted utility rate-making practices; and rates charged by the utility to the user classifications. The committee shall provide a final report on this review by December 2007.