PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) — A bill requiring counties and municipalities to provide emergency medical services failed in the House Appropriations Committee Friday morning after concerns emerged about unfunded mandates to local governments.
House Bill 1043, introduced by Rep. Eric Emery, D-Rosebud, lost on a 7-1 vote to table with one member excused.
“EMS in South Dakota is at its breaking point,” Emery testified. “EMS is not classified as an essential service like law enforcement and fire, and because of that, EMS has been left to struggle under the weight of staffing shortages, increased call volumes, and severe financial constraints.”
The legislation established an Emergency Medical Services Fund through a $5 increase in court costs and a $1 million appropriation from the general fund. It prioritized grants for counties under 5,000 population and municipalities under 1,000 residents.
Maynard Konechne, representing the South Dakota EMS Association, testified that volunteers who historically staffed ambulance services are increasingly scarce.
“The only time people think about us is when they dial 9-1-1,” he said.
Opponents raised concerns about costs.
Sara Rankin, Executive Director of the South Dakota Municipal League, testified that the bill “places unfunded mandates and administrative burdens on municipalities while removing the ability of municipalities to do what works best for their communities.”
The Bureau of Finance and Management’s Yolanda Sung noted that Gov. Kristi Noem had already allocated over $20 million in federal ARPA funds to EMS services, including equipment upgrades and telehealth capabilities.
In his rebuttal, Emery acknowledged the mandate concerns but emphasized deteriorating conditions.
“Volunteers are becoming far farther and few between to be able to dedicate their time to our EMS,” he said.
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