Iowa Senate Bill SF570

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/20/23
• Refer: 6/5/23

Caption

A bill for an act relating to emergency management services and emergency medical services and including applicability provisions.(Formerly SF 352, SF 41; See SF 2426.)

Impact

The bill allows counties to impose property tax levies and income surtaxes for emergency medical services, with an explicit focus on funding salaries and benefits for emergency medical care providers. Furthermore, the bill outlines how county commissions can set aside unobligated funds for future fiscal needs and mandates a capital improvement plan for managing significant expenditures. These provisions aim to ensure robust financial support for emergency management services and enhance their operational capability during disasters.

Summary

Senate File 570 aims to enhance emergency management services and emergency medical services at the county level in Iowa. It proposes modifications to the composition and voting structure of local emergency management commissions, integrating various local officials, including mayors, school district leaders, and sheriffs, into a collaborative decision-making unit. The sheriff will act as a nonvoting chairperson, while voting decisions will require a two-thirds majority from distinct voting units made up of the board of supervisors, mayors, and school board presidents.

Contention

Key points of contention may arise regarding local autonomy and the equitable distribution of tax revenues across different jurisdictions. Critics could argue that reallocating funding methods might disadvantage certain municipalities, particularly those with lower property valuations. Additionally, the centralized decision-making process might face pushback from local governments wary of losing some control over emergency management strategies and implementations.