SPONSOR: Farnan
This bill modified provisions relating to ambulance districts.
AMBULANCE DISTRICT DIRECTORS (Sections 190.050 to 190.052)
Current law requires county commissions to divide newly formed ambulance districts into six election districts for the election of district directors. This bill repeals these provisions and requires all directors to be elected district-wide, as specified in the bill.
AMBULANCE DISTRICT CONSOLIDATION (Section 190.090)
Current law provides that two or more ambulance districts may consolidate into one ambulance district either by petition signed by a sufficient number of voters or by resolution passed by each board of directors of the consolidating ambulance districts. This bill provides that each petition or resolution must be accompanied by a consolidation plan that includes certain information, as provided in the bill.
Each consolidating ambulance district must post a notice of intent to consolidate, and hold a joint public hearing to solicit public comment and objections, provided that all objections are signed by no less than 5% of the number of votes cast in the most recent gubernatorial election and must be filed with the county clerk no later than 30 days following the public hearing. If no objections are made, the county commission will order the districts consolidated. If objections are made, the county commission must submit the question of consolidation to the voters, as specified in the bill.
If the voters approve the consolidation of ambulance districts, the district will be authorized to impose a property tax or sales tax at the highest levy in effect in any of the consolidating districts. If the districts are consolidated without objection by the county commission, the district will only be authorized to impose a property tax or sales tax at the lowest levy in effect in any of the consolidating districts.
Finally, the bill authorizes any ambulance district that has contracted for ambulance service with another district for more than five consecutive years to submit a joint resolution executed by the boards of both districts requesting consolidation. Upon the receipt of the resolution, the county commission will order the districts consolidated without notice or public hearing. This bill is similar to SB 813 (2025).
Statutes affected: