St. Anthony Prehospital Services | EMT, Paramedic, EMS Training | Denver, CO - Colorado Bill 02-009

 

 

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM

D. Randy Kuykendall, MLS, NREMT-P
Chief, Emergency Medical and Trauma Services Section
Health Facilities & Emergency Medical Services Division
Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment

 

** High Priority **

The bill to add one dollar to motor vehicle registration fees for support of Colorado's EMTS system has been introduced into the 2009 legislature.  The bill is designated SB09-002 (Click Here to View)   

It can also be downloaded from the state legislature website at http://www.leg.state.co.us/.  You can click on the "Bills" icon under the state senate line and it is easily located since it's the second bill on the list.  The bill has been assigned to the Senate Transportation committee.  At this time, we have not yet confirmed the exact hearing date/time, but this committee meets on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.  It is highly possible that the first hearing of this bill will occur on either January 13 or January 15.  As soon as additional information is available, we will get it to you.

We sincerely appreciate the outstanding work that the EMTS system stakeholders have done to this point.  Now it is time to ensure the bill is supported throughout the legislative process.  Please check your calendars and be prepared to come to Denver for the bill hearings. 

 

************************

 

The EMTS legislative update teleconference was held on February 2, 2009 at 4:00 PM. 

 

Randy Kuykendall thanked everyone for the continued interest and support.  He especially thanked those who attended the Senate Transportation hearing on January 29, 2009.  SB 09-002 passed out of committee on a vote of 4 – 3.  The presentations were well prepared and delivered.  A strong showing of stakeholder support was evident with most members of the SEMTAC, RETACs and a large number of interested EMTS community members being present at the hearing.  The bill has now been referred to the Senate Appropriations committee.  Hearings conducted by the Appropriations committee do not accept public testimony when bills are heard, so the EMTS community will not need to be present for this part of the process.  Once SB 09-002 receives a positive vote from the Appropriations hearing, it should be forwarded to the Senate as a whole for consideration.

 

We received notification late yesterday (Wednesday, 2/4/09) that SB 09-002 will be heard by the Senate Appropriations committee on Tuesday, February 10, 2009.  Now is the time to email and/or leave voice mail for members of this committee!!  Members of the Appropriations committee, and the counties they represent, are:

 

Able Tapia; Pueblo

303-866-2581

able.tapia.senate@state.co.us

 

Maryanne Keller; Jefferson

303-866-2585

moe.keller.senate@state.co.us

 

Bob Bacon; Larimer

303-866-4841

bob.bacon.senate@state.co.us

 

Ted Harvey; Douglas

303-866-4881

ted.harvey.senate@state.co.us

 

Mary Hodge; Adams

303-866-4855

mary.hodge.senate@state.co.us

 

Keith King; El Paso

303-866-4880

keith@keithking.org

 

Mike Kopp; Jefferson

303-866-2638

mike.kopp.senate@state.co.us

 

Paula Sandoval; Denver

303-866-4862

nwden34@yahoo.com

 

Al White; Eagle Garfield, Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt

303-866-5292

al.white.senate@state.co.us

 

Suzanne Williams; Arapahoe

303-866-3432

suzanne.Williams@senate.co.us

 

If you live in any of the districts represented by members of the Senate Appropriations committee, please take a few minutes to send an email, or leave a voice mail voicing your support of SB 09-002 and how important it is to the future of EMS and trauma throughout the state of Colorado.

 

We continue to thank everyone for their on-going support and energy.  If there are any questions, or need for additional information, please feel free to contact Randy Kuykendall any member of the EMTS staff at any time.  Main phone number is 303-692-2980.

 

The next legislative conference call will be held on Monday, February 9, 2009 at 4:00 PM.