HB 4179

Abstract

Amends the Rescue Squad Districts Act, which is becoming the Emergency Services District Act on January 1, 2024. Increases the amount of the levy that a district may initially levy upon formation of the district from .20% to .40%. Provides that districts organized before January 1, 2024 may, by ordinance or resolution, increase the tax rate authorized by their organizational proposition by up to .20% (but no more than a .40% tax rate in the aggregate, including the amount levied under the organization proposition). Provides that the aggregate amount of all district tax levies may not exceed .80% (with no more than .40% authorized by the organizational referendum and .40% authorized by an ambulance service tax referendum). Provides that the board of trustees of a district may fix, charge, and collect fees not exceeding the reasonable cost of the service for ambulance services rendered by the district within or outside of the district (rather than fix, charge, and collect fees against persons who are not residents of the district and against businesses and other entities that are not located within the district). Removes a provision setting fee amounts at a rate not to exceed $250 per hour and not to exceed $70 per hour per ambulance worker responding to a call for assistance. Provides that the fee that may be charged to reimburse the district for extraordinary expenses of materials used in rendering ambulance services may be up to the reasonable cost of the materials. Effective immediately.