Purpose

• The bill intends to make permanent a paramedic scholarship program in Minnesota and provide clear, ongoing funding and reporting requirements. It aims to support students entering paramedic programs with scholarships and to ensure regular oversight and data on the program and on paramedic demand in the state.

Main Provisions

• Establishment and funding
  • The Office of Higher Education (OHE) will annually provide up to 600 scholarships to students entering paramedic programs, with the goal of reaching that level by 2026.
  • In each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027, $3.2 million from the general fund is appropriated to OHE for the paramedic scholarship program.
  • Of each year’s appropriation: $3,000,000 for awarding up to 600 scholarships; $100,000 for promoting the program and recruiting students; $100,000 for administering the program.
• Reporting requirements
  • By February 1, 2025 and again by February 1, 2026, the commissioner must report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over higher education finance and policy.
  • Reports must include information about all postsecondary programs that make students eligible for scholarships under this section (locations, costs, enrollment, capacities, acceptance rates, and other relevant data).
  • Reports must also include available data on current and forecasted demand for paramedics in Minnesota and the total number of scholarships issued, disaggregated by year of award, postsecondary institution, and relevant demographic data about award recipients.
• Codification and administration
  • The revisor of statutes will codify the amended law into a new section of Minnesota Statutes numbered 136A.1278.
• Repeal of expiration and permanence
  • The existing expiration provision for the paramedic scholarship program is repealed, removing the June 30, 2026 expiration date and making the program permanent.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Permanency: Removes the expiration and codifies the paramedic scholarship program as a permanent program under Minnesota law.
• Expanded reporting: Adds detailed, regular reporting requirements to inform lawmakers about program operations and the market demand for paramedics.
• Clear funding structure: Establishes a formal annual appropriation level (with a precise breakdown) to support up to 600 scholarships per year, plus promotion and administration funds.

Financial and Administrative Details

• Funding: $3.2 million per year in FY2026 and FY2027 from the general fund to OHE for the program.
• Breakdown per year: $3,000,000 for scholarships; $100,000 for program promotion/recruitment; $100,000 for administration.
• Administrative action: Codification into Minnesota Statutes 136A.1278; repealer of the prior expiration provision.

How the Program Works (Summary)

• Eligible recipients: Students entering paramedic programs.
• Output: Up to 600 scholarships awarded annually.
• Oversight: Regular reporting to legislative committees; data on program outcomes and paramedic demand.
• Data focus: Locations and costs of qualifying programs, enrollment, capacities, acceptance rates, and recipient demographics.

Expiration and Repeal

• The former expiration date tied to the program is repealed, effectively removing the sunset clause and making the scholarship program a standing program.

Relevant Context

• The bill reinforces workforce development for emergency medical services by supporting paramedic training through scholarships and by improving transparency about program operations and demand for paramedics in Minnesota.

Relevant Terms - paramedic scholarship program - Office of Higher Education - Minnesota Statutes 136A.1278 - general fund - appropriations - scholarships (up to 600 annually) - paramedic programs - reporting requirements - chairs and ranking minority members - legislative committees (higher education finance and policy) - postsecondary programs - locations, costs, enrollment, capacities, acceptance rates - forecasted demand for paramedics - demographics of award recipients - program promotion and recruitment - program administration - revisor of statutes - repeal - expiration removed - permanent program