Iowa Senate Bill SF352

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/21/23
• Refer: 2/27/23

Caption

A bill for an act relating to emergency management services and emergency medical services and including applicability provisions.(Formerly SF 41; See SF 570, SF 2426.)

Impact

By authorizing local commissions to impose such levies, the bill aims to enhance the financial capabilities of emergency services throughout counties. It permits the reservation of unspent funds for future fiscal years, allowing local agencies to manage their budgets more effectively. Additionally, the inclusion of salaries and benefits for emergency medical providers as eligible expenditures signifies a commitment to improving the provisions made for those on the front lines during emergencies, further aligning financial management with operational necessities.

Summary

Senate File 352 addresses the management and funding of local emergency services, including provisions for emergency medical services. The bill allows local emergency management commissions to levy special taxes to fund agencies effectively and makes provisions for how these levies can be structured. Specifically, the bill sets rates not exceeding $0.35 per $1,000 for general operations and up to $1.00 per $1,000 for unique services, thereby providing revenue flexibility to local bodies tasked with emergency management.

Contention

There are potential points of contention surrounding the implications of consolidated financial control at the local level. Critics may argue that placing fiscal authority solely within commission hands could limit the ability of elected officials to independently manage local budgets. Moreover, while enhancing emergency service funding, concerns about equitable taxation across diverse communities might arise, especially where the capacity to levy additional funds may vary significantly among counties.