On February 29, 2024, Associate Policy Director Brianna January testified before the House Environment and Transportation Committee in support of HB 1038- Motor Vehicles- Emergency Medical Services- Registration Surcharge with amendments. This bill extends the motor vehicle annual surcharge supporting emergency medical services from $17.00 to $21.25.
This bill, among other actions, increases the motor vehicle surcharge, which funds the Maryland Emergency Medical System Operations Fund (MEMSOF). This fund is already the central source for State assistance to fire companies, and counties urge that the funding and mission of HB 1038 be amended to additionally target urgent needs of fire service employees.
Counties request that, through amendments to HB 1038, an additional $2.00 be added to the motor vehicle surcharge and reserved specifically for the recruitment and retention incentives outlined in HB 899/SB 692, the Commission’s programmatic recommendations.
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