HARRISBURG – Sen. Rosemary Brown (R-40) announced today that a package of bills amending Pennsylvania’s municipal codes to support emergency medical services (EMS) and fire company funding unanimously passed out of the House Local Government Committee.
“These bills provide local governments with the flexibility they need to ensure that both EMS and fire services are properly funded to meet growing demands,” Brown said. “It’s critical that we address the staffing shortages and financial challenges these essential services face every day.”
Municipalities currently have the option to enact a local tax to support EMS. However, only half of the revenue generated can be spent on personnel costs. The bills, which were amended in the Senate to include fire companies, will now apply to both local EMS and fire taxes, allowing municipalities to more effectively allocate funds.
“The current cap on how these taxes can be used is no longer practical given the strain on our EMS providers and fire companies,” Brown said. “By removing these restrictions, local governments will have greater discretion to direct resources where they are needed most – particularly in hiring and retaining the qualified personnel required to keep our communities safe.”
Brown’s bills would not alter the tax rate municipalities may charge under existing law, but would permit them to waive the current cap and allocate a larger portion of revenue to personnel costs.
“Residents deserve fast and reliable emergency services, and we need to give our local governments the tools to provide that,” Brown said. “This legislation maximizes the impact of the existing revenue without placing additional tax burdens on residents.”
Senate Bills 1132, 1133 and 1134 – now amended to include fire companies – will continue to move through the legislative process.
CONTACT:
Mackenzie Mueller