Sales tax bill now exempts air medical transports

By JOHN HULTGREN
Kentucky EMS Connection

FRANKFORT — On the day it was received in the Senate, Sen. David Boswell (8th District) filed a floor amendment to Kentucky House Bill 262 that would exclude licensed air ambulance providers from being required to charge state sales tax.

House Bill 262, filed January 10, would add new services that would be subjected to the state sales tax. One of those services would be "chartered air flight services if a pilot is furnished."

John Scott, who wrote the bill for the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, said Wednesday by phone that air ambulance services may in fact be included in that category if the bill passes. "That certainly wasn't our intention," Scott said.

Kentucky Ambulance Providers Association Mark Harrison sent letters yesterday to state legislators asking for an exemption for air ambulances.

"We are very appreciative that Senator Boswell stepped up to the plate to assist us so quickly, filing the amendment on the same day that we contacted him," said John Hultgren, a manager for Air Methods.

"EMS really appreciates the assistance that Senator Boswell provided to us," said Joe Bradshaw, a manager for Air Evac Lifeteam.

Copyright © 2008 The Kentucky EMS Connection. All rights reserved. News stories may be copyrighted by another organization. Original material may be reproduced provided source is credited.