Senate passes Schoesler's bill

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Senate approved a bill prime-sponsored by Senator Mark Schoesler of Ritzville, which will make it easier for rural towns to continue providing joint ambulance service.

Schoesler’s proposal, Senate Bill 5198, was passed by the Senate 48-1 Feb. 3, and will now go to the House of Representatives for consideration.

A 2017 state law allowing rural ambulance-service providers to overcome personnel shortages by allowing those without first aid or medical training to drive the ambulance, left out ambulance services shared by two or more municipalities. This bill amends t...