Emergency Response Services Committee

Studies

(1311 § 1) Consider studying volunteer emergency responder recruitment and retention. The study must consider recruitment and retention challenges related to volunteer emergency responders, including firefighters, emergency or disaster volunteers, and community emergency response team members, and identify strategies for encouraging volunteerism. The study also must include input from stakeholders, including disaster emergency organizations, nonprofit associations, representatives of law enforcement, emergency medical service providers, and state and local agencies, departments, and institutions.

(1322 § 4) Consider studying the feasibility and desirability of establishing a delinquent billing reimbursement grant system for ambulance service providers. The study must include input from stakeholders, including the Insurance Department, and a survey of ambulance service providers. Section 5 provides an appropriation of $20,000 to the Legislative Council for purposes of hiring a consultant to assist in this study.

(2332 § 1) Consider studying options to provide grant funding for emergency services and public safety. The study must include a review of the amount of grant funding needed, potential funding sources, entities to be eligible to receive a grant, types of expenses to be eligible for reimbursement through a grant program, the appropriate agency to administer a grant program, and options to establish a grant program oversight committee.

(2340 § 1) Study the evolving fire service operational and response needs of the state. The study must examine the coordination of efforts of existing state resources for improved fire emergency service organization, distribution, mobilization, training, and oversight; creation of fire service regional response teams; establishment of authority for response, standardized training, wildland-urban interface fire prevention codes, and emergency response operational initiatives and responsibilities; evaluation of existing staffing abilities to cross-train, provide further services, provide backfill during extended or complex emergencies, minimum training requirements, staff firefighting authorities, firefighting benefits, necessary equipment, and structural needs; identification and implementation of a restructure of fiscal support for state and local fire service in the state, reducing the dependency on local property tax; and changes necessary to state laws and administrative rules to implement a unified model. The study must include consultation with the State Fire Marshal, North Dakota Firefighter's Association, North Dakota Forest Service, Department of Emergency Services, North Dakota Fire Chief's Association, Department of Career and Technical Education, and other stakeholders. The Legislative Management may contract with a consultant to carry out this study.

Reports

Receive a report from the Department of Emergency Services before September 1, 2026, regarding the department's findings and recommendations from a consultant's report on the state's vulnerabilities relating to security threats posed by foreign adversaries. (2025 House Bill No. 1209 § 1)

Receive a report from the Insurance Commissioner before September 1, 2026, regarding the findings if the Insurance Commissioner elects to study the feasibility, benefits, and challenges of providing towing and recovery costs associated with vehicle liability only insurance for towing operations. (2025 Senate Bill No. 2374 § 16)

Receive a report from the Department of Health and Human Services regarding the status of the distressed ambulance service program. (2025 Senate Bill No. 2033 § 1) (NDCC § 23-27.2-08)