SB 5272 passed both chambers and makes changes to funding 911 communication systems. The amended version changed the population thresholds and operation role of cities in determining when the county must enter into an interlocal agreement with its cities for distributions of those funds.

Under current law, counties may levy a sales and use tax with voter approval to fund costs associated with emergency communication systems and facilities. SB 5272 increases the maximum tax rate from 0.1 percent to 0.2 percent.

The bill also changes how the funds are distributed to cities. Under current law, if a county has a population of more than 500,000, in which any city with a population over 50,000 operates an emergency communication system and facilities, the county must enter into an interlocal agreement with the city to determine distribution of revenue, prior to submitting the authorizing ballot to the voters.

The House amendments to this provision:

• Change the county population threshold to more than 500,000 but less than 1.5 million, and the city must still operate an emergency communication system to get distributions; and
• Require that if a county has a population of more than 1.5 million, in which any city with a population over 50,000 operates an emergency communication system and facilities either independently or as a member of a regional emergency communication agency, the county must enter into an interlocal agreement with the city to determine distributions.

Because the Senate-passed version did not contain changes to the population thresholds or the city role in operations, SB 5272 must return to the Senate for concurrence.