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House passes bill to address double taxation of emergency medical services in Salt Lake County
Summary
The House approved Senate Bill 259 to shift how paramedic/advanced-life-support services are charged inside Salt Lake County, aiming to eliminate double taxation for city residents and create a revenue-neutral municipal services levy; the measure passed after debate over service impacts and a constitutional note.
The Utah House passed Senate Bill 259, an emergency medical fund adjustment aimed at resolving a double-taxation issue in Salt Lake County by shifting paramedic/advanced life-support funding into the municipal services fund for unincorporated areas.
Sponsor Representative Swallow explained the bill is revenue-neutral at the county level: it would reduce general-fund levies and increase the municipal services levy in unincorporated areas so residents receive equitable billing for services they actually use. Supporters argued the measure stops city residents from paying twice for the same paramedic services.
Opponents raised multiple concerns on the floor: a constitutional-note was attached to the bill (meaning a potential constitutional challenge is possible), and several members argued fragmentation of public-safety services could harm coordination, training and dispatch. Representative Buckner warned the bill risks fragmenting countywide paramedic services and could create turf battles similar to those seen in fire and police services.
Lawmakers also asked whether the measure would effectively shift taxes between city and unincorporated-area residents without reducing services, how interlocal agreements would operate, and whether jobs would be at risk for county paramedics. Sponsor and supporters said interlocal agreements and proposed intent language would address transition issues, including preferential hiring for displaced employees; the House agreed to spread that intent language on the journal.
After debate, the House passed SB259 on a recorded vote (46 yes, 20 no). The bill was sent forward for enrollment and return to the Senate as appropriate.
