Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Texas House Bill HB1477

Caption

Relating to the use of grants under the emergency medical services assistance program and the distribution of certain revenue received by the comptroller.

Impact

This legislation will amend existing sections of the Health and Safety Code to allocate a portion of revenue to support EMS scholarships and assistance programs. By diversifying the funding sources through a defined revenue distribution, the bill aims to enhance the sustainability of the EMS assistance program. The new rules adopted by the executive commissioner will ensure that the funds are utilized effectively, supporting both EMS providers and educational institutions involved in training personnel.

Summary

House Bill 1477 addresses the enhancement of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) assistance program by introducing a new Emergency Medical Services Scholarship Program. The bill aims to provide financial aid to emergency medical services personnel for their education and training, specifically focusing on rural areas. By establishing guidelines for scholarship eligibility and the educational curriculum, the bill seeks to improve the workforce in emergency medical services, which is critical for timely response and care in emergencies.

Sentiment

The general sentiment around HB 1477 has been positive, particularly among healthcare advocacy groups and emergency service providers who see it as a necessary investment in the future of EMS workforces. There is a broad recognition of the importance of a well-trained emergency response system, especially in underserved rural areas. However, there may be some concerns regarding the sufficiency of the allocated revenue and the potential bureaucratic hurdles involved in the implementation of the scholarship program.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support, there could be points of contention regarding the adequacy and management of the funding distributions. Questions may arise about whether the revenue allocations will meet the growing demands for EMS training and resources. Additionally, any disagreements over the rules for scholarship eligibility and the educational curriculum could lead to debates about the effectiveness and fairness of the program. Stakeholders may also raise concerns about how this bill interacts with existing programs and resources already available to EMS personnel.

Latest HB1477 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Similar Bills

UT SB0107

Education Scholarship Amendments

CA AB2480

Income taxes: credit: Scholarship Tax Credit Program Act.

AL HB442

To create the Alabama Fits All Scholarship Program; require the State Board of Education to contract with a program manager to administer the program; to authorize the program manager to establish scholarship accounts on behalf of eligible students; to prohibit a program manager from accepting scholarship funds in certain circumstances; to require fiscal safeguards and accountability measures; to require eligible schools and service providers to meet certain standards to be eligible to receive scholarship funds; to authorize the program manager to distribute scholarship funds; to require the State Board of Education to provide limited oversight of the program manager, including an appeal process for the program manager's administrative decisions; to prohibit certain regulations of eligible schools and eligible service providers; to require criminal history background information checks for employees and officers of a program manager; to provide for program funding; and to require the program manager and the board to submit reports on the program to the Legislature.