SB1586 Summary

• Declares emergency medical and ambulance service an essential public service in Oklahoma

• Allows formation of ambulance service districts through agreement between two or more political entities (counties, municipalities, tribal governments, hospital districts) as an alternative to petition process requiring 5% of voter signatures

• Authorizes funding mechanisms for districts created by agreement, including utility pass-through billing, sales taxes (not subject to the 2% limitation), subscriptions, and assessments on gross proceeds/receipts

• Permits utility companies (public and private) to collect pass-through fees for ambulance services with Corporation Commission oversight; utilities are not liable for civil actions by ambulance districts

• Removes requirement that new districts cannot adversely affect existing ambulance services; modifies district governance and operational provisions