SB103 Alabama 2024 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Josh CarnleySenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2024
Title: Air ambulances, exempt from SHPDA and Certificate of Need
Summary: SB103 would exempt air ambulance services from SHPDA oversight and from the certificate of need requirement to operate.
What This Bill Does
If enacted, air ambulance providers would not be governed by SHPDA or required to obtain a certificate of need. SHPDA could not require a COE for air ambulance services. The bill also defines air ambulance as fixed-wing or rotary-wing services that provide medically necessary care by air, with the changes taking effect October 1, 2024.

Who It Affects
Air ambulance providers and operators: no longer required to obtain a certificate of need or be subject to SHPDA's COE process to operate.
State Health Planning and Development Agency (SHPDA): loses jurisdiction over air ambulance services for COE purposes.

Key Provisions
Adds Section 22-21-279 exempting air ambulance services from the certificate of need requirements of SHPDA.
Section 22-21-279(a): air ambulances are not subject to or governed by provisions requiring COE from SHPDA for operating or developing new institutional health services.
Section 22-21-279(b): defines 'air ambulance' as either fixed-wing or rotary-wing air transport providing medically necessary services or supplies by air.
Section 2: effective date of October 1, 2024.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Health