Committee advances bill to separate air-ambulance definitions from ground ambulance law

The committee advanced House Bill 2179, a measure to refine statutory definitions so that air ambulances and air-ambulance services are distinguished from ground ambulances in state law.

Tony Carrizzino, chief flight paramedic for Guardian Air Transport and president of the Arizona Association of Air Medical Services, told the committee the bill is a "straightforward statutory clean up" intended to make statutes reflect current operational practice and avoid confusion where an "ambulance" term could be read to include aircraft. "This is about clarity, consistency and avoiding confusion going forward, not changing policy," Carrizzino said.

The sponsor's presenter summarized technical changes: definitions of "air ambulance," "air ambulance attendant" and "air ambulance service," adjustments to ambulance regulation language so it applies appropriately to air services, and removal of a statutory requirement that DHS rules set response and operation time standards for air ambulance services. The bill moved with a due-pass recommendation and the clerk recorded 7 ayes, 0 nos and 0 not voting.

No opposition testimony was recorded in the hearing transcript.