Assembly Bill 197 proposes an amendment to current laws regarding local property tax levy limits, specifically introducing an exemption for costs associated with regional emergency medical services. The bill defines "regional" as a service area that is at least 232 square miles or includes at least eight municipalities. It allows cities, villages, towns, or counties to levy amounts for these emergency services without being subject to the usual levy limits, provided that the increase in the levy does not exceed a specified percentage related to the U.S. consumer price index. Additionally, the bill requires that a contract or agreement designates one entity responsible for coordinating emergency medical services across the service area.

Furthermore, the bill amends existing statutes to exclude expenditures related to the newly created regional emergency medical services levy exemption from being considered when determining eligibility for the expenditure restraint incentive program. This means that municipalities can receive incentive payments without their regional emergency medical service levies affecting their eligibility. The bill aims to enhance the funding and provision of emergency medical services in regional areas while ensuring that local governments can manage their budgets effectively.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 79.05(2)(c), 79.05