Ada County EMS official: process started to move EMS rules from IDAPA into statute; scope and timing uncertain

An introductory meeting has begun to consider moving Idaho’s EMS rules from administrative rule (IDAPA) into state statute, an Ada County EMS representative told the Ada County Emergency Medical Services District on Jan. 6.

The EMS representative (Speaker 8) said the effort started the previous day and that moving rules into statute will require substantial discussion statewide about what should be codified and what should remain at the rule level. "The movement of rule into statute is, I suspect, gonna take the better part of a year," the representative said, adding that some aspects such as scope of practice may remain in rule so they can change more quickly.

The update identified Representative Tanner and other legislators as likely participants in shaping the statutory language; the representative said the work would likely involve experienced practitioners and could unfold over the current and next legislative sessions. No specific statutory text was presented to the board; the report was an update on a process in its early stages.

The board asked clarifying questions about timing and the relative difficulty of changing statutes versus rules; staff and commissioners noted statutes are harder to change and rules allow more agility for technical scope-of-practice changes. EMS staff said they will continue to monitor the process and participate as the statutory proposals are developed.