February 10, 2003 -- State Representative Al Juhnke -- NEWS RELEASE
281 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155
651/296-6206
3951 Horizon Hills Circle, Willmar, MN 56201
320/235-4442
JUHNKE BILL EXEMPTS EMERGENCY MEDICAL VEHICLES FROM TAXES
Local governments and ambulance services could purchase vehicles to provide emergency medical services without paying state registration or sales taxes under legislation introduced by Rep. Al Juhnke.
"This is simply a matter of allowing a city or ambulance service to put their dollars to use actually providing emergency medical services, rather than paying taxes back to the state," Juhnke, of Willmar, said. "It's a tiny sum to the state budget, but it would reduce costs for the agencies we call on in a crisis."
The bill, which is being carried by Sen. Dean Johnson of Willmar in the Senate, creates a special exemption from the vehicle registration tax for "vehicles used to provide emergency medical services" owned by a city, county, township or licensed private ambulance service. That would cover "first responder" vehicles and others which aren't used for transportation of patients and thus do not qualify as ambulances. An exemption is already provided for ambulances and most other police and fire vehicles.
In addition, the bill provides a sales tax exemption when a licensed ambulance service buys a vehicle to provide emergency medical services.
The bills have been sent to the House and Senate Tax Committees for hearings.
