A bill for an act modifying the costs eligible for emergency medical services fund expenditures, and including effective date provisions.(See HF 307.)
Summary
House File 19 would expand the types of expenses that may be paid from an emergency medical services (EMS) trust fund. Under current Iowa law, counties that approve EMS as an essential county service may ask voters to authorize a local option income surtax or property tax, with the proceeds deposited into an EMS trust fund. This bill adds the salaries or wages of emergency medical care providers who are providing EMS to the list of eligible fund expenditures.
The bill also incorporates statutory definitions by reference, using the definitions of “emergency medical care provider” and “emergency medical services” from section 147A.1. It includes an immediate effective date, meaning it would take effect upon enactment rather than waiting for a later date.
Impact
HF 19 would amend Iowa Code section 422D.6 to broaden allowable uses of county EMS trust fund revenues, specifically permitting those funds to cover provider compensation. This change would affect counties, EMS agencies, and emergency medical personnel by giving local governments more flexibility to use surtax or property tax proceeds for staffing costs, potentially helping with recruitment, retention, and operational support. The bill does not create a new tax, but it changes how existing EMS-related tax revenues may be spent.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests the bill was received favorably in committee, passing the House Committee on Local Government unanimously 18-0. No committee transcripts are available, but the lack of recorded opposition and the unanimous vote indicate broad support for the policy change. Despite that support, the bill was later withdrawn, so it did not advance to final enactment in the form shown here.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the available materials. The main policy issue implicit in the bill is whether EMS trust fund dollars should be allowed to pay salaries and wages, rather than being limited to other operational or capital costs. Supporters would likely view this as a practical way to stabilize EMS services, while any concern would center on local tax revenue being redirected toward ongoing personnel expenses instead of other service needs. However, no recorded objections or debate are provided.
Similar To
A bill for an act modifying the costs eligible for emergency medical services fund expenditures, and including effective date provisions. Effective date: 03/28/2025.
Similar To
A bill for an act modifying the costs eligible for emergency medical services fund expenditures, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly HF 19.)
A bill for an act modifying the costs eligible for emergency medical services fund expenditures, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly HF 19.)
A bill for an act modifying the costs eligible for emergency medical services fund expenditures, and including effective date provisions. Effective date: 03/28/2025.
A bill for an act relating to the emergency medical services trust fund by modifying the division of revenue pursuant to urban renewal and modifying permissible expenditures from the fund, and including applicability provisions.
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A bill for an act modifying provisions related to eligibility for payments under the education savings account program, and including effective date provisions.
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