Bill Helping Rural Ambulance Transports Passes Washington House

Legislation sponsored by Rep. Joe Schmick addresses staffing challenges for rural hospitals and ambulance services.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A bill sponsored by Washington state Rep. Joe Schmick that allows registered nurses without emergency medical technician (EMT) certification to provide patient care during interfacility specialty care transports has passed the state House with bipartisan support. The legislation is aimed at addressing staffing shortages that can delay critical patient transfers in rural areas.

Why it matters

Rural hospitals and ambulance services in Washington state often face challenges with staffing and long transport distances, which can lead to dangerous delays in transferring critically ill patients between facilities. This bill provides a commonsense solution to ensure patients receive timely care without compromising safety standards.

The details

House Bill 2110 allows a registered nurse without EMT certification to assist during an interfacility specialty care transport, but only when an EMT is present in the ambulance, the nurse has the appropriate competencies for the patient's condition, and the nurse works within their scope of practice under the direction of the sending or receiving physician. Schmick says the bill is especially important for rural communities where long distances, limited staffing, and seasonal weather can make it difficult to rely on outside ambulance or air transport services.

  • The bill passed the Washington State House of Representatives on February 11, 2026.
  • The bill now moves to the state Senate for consideration.

The players

Joe Schmick

A Republican state representative from Colfax, Washington who sponsored the bill.

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What they’re saying

“This bill came directly from our critical access hospitals. In rural Washington, delays in patient transport can be dangerous and sometimes life-threatening. My bill gives hospitals and ambulance services a safe, commonsense option when staffing shortages would otherwise leave patients waiting.”

— Joe Schmick, State Representative (koze.com)

What’s next

The bill now moves to the Washington State Senate for consideration.

The takeaway

This legislation addresses a critical need in rural Washington communities by providing more flexibility for hospitals and ambulance services to safely transport critically ill patients, even when staffing shortages would otherwise delay care.