Bill > SB181

This bill creates an exemption from local property tax levy limits for costs associated with qualified joint emergency medical services districts or joint fire departments, allowing these districts to increase their levies to cover eligible emergency medical services expenses without exceeding certain state-imposed limits. To be considered a "qualified district," these entities must provide first-in emergency medical services to their member political subdivisions (towns, cities, villages), meet specific membership or service area size requirements, operate under a defined agreement, and have their status approved by a majority vote in a referendum held across all member territories, with subsequent referendums required every five years to maintain qualification. The bill also specifies that the exemption applies only if the levy for these costs increases by a percentage no more than the U.S. consumer price index plus 2%, and requires the district to designate a single entity for emergency medical services coordination. Additionally, the bill amends an existing statute to explicitly exclude expenditures for these qualified districts from calculations related to the expenditure restraint incentive program, which rewards municipalities for limiting budget growth.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb181