There is good reason House Bill 5168 passed out of the House of Delegates without a single vote against on Monday. It is one of the very few, genuine no-brainers to come before lawmakers in recent years.

HB 5168 would establish a permanent funding stream for EMS workers across the state — $12 million annually from lottery net profits. According to House Finance Committee Chairman Vernon Criss, R-Wood, it brings EMS funding in line with a formula used to support fire departments.

The bill mandates the first $1 million of the $6 million Salary Enhancement, Crisis Response, and Mental Health Treatment Fund going to mental health treatment for EMS personnel. Money awarded to a county from the lottery-sourced $6 million must be equally matched by county funds or other local sources. And, when distributing funds, the state EMS director must prioritize counties this way: counties demonstrating the most need, counties with special EMS levies, counties at the maximum allowable rate on regular levies and finally, counties facing retention challenges due to interstate competition.

Assuming the state Senate has the sense to move this one along, it is good news for struggling first responders who have dealt with increasing challenges in recent years.

“Thank God we finally got something done. I’ve only been trying to get this funding since 2018,” said Del. Buck Jennings, R-Preston. “You don’t really realize how important they are until you dial 911 and then you wonder where they’re at.”

Indeed. The need to improve safety and medical access for West Virginians is great.

“This is a really good bill,” said Del. Hollis Lewis, D-Kanawha. “In some places, this is the only medical services that people have. So, it’s long overdue.”

There are plenty of issues on which lawmakers surely wish they could do more — but they are responsible for allocating state dollars prudently, too. Perhaps this first step opens the door for more good work later. Well done.