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HB 3474

Modifies provisions relating to a service fee charged by a fire protection district

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Holly Jones

Missouri HB 3474 allows fire districts to bill non-residents and their insurers for emergency services within district boundaries, with caps and local-resident protections.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)
#emergencies #fees #fireprotection #politicalsubdivisions
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Bill Summary · HB 3474

Overview

HB 3474, introduced in the Missouri 2026 session, would modify provisions governing a fire protection district’s authority to charge a service fee for emergency responses. Specifically, it expands the ability to levy charges to include businesses, individuals, and their insurance companies who receive emergency services within a district’s boundaries, with certain exclusions and caps. The bill also preserves existing authority for charging to residents or entities with a physical address within the district by excluding them from such charges.

Main purpose and intent

  • Expand the scope of fire protection districts’ ability to recover costs for emergency services by allowing charges to:
    • Businesses and individuals that receive emergency services within the district, and
    • Their insurance companies, where applicable.
  • Maintain protections for district residents and entities with a physical address inside the district by prohibiting charges to those within-district residents/establishments.
  • Establish price caps to limit charges per incident and per time unit of service.

Key provisions and changes

  • Section 321.220 (repeal and reenactment): The bill repeals the existing section and enacts a new version with similar general authority for fire protection districts (e.g., perpetual existence, contracting, borrowing, property, personnel, etc.) but adds specifics about charging for emergency services.
  • Charging provision (subsection aligned with numbers 56-66 in the bill text):
    • The district may adopt an ordinance allowing it to charge businesses or individuals and their insurance companies for the actual and reasonable cost of emergency services provided within the district.
    • Exclusions:
    • Residents of the district and businesses with a physical address within the district are not subject to these charges.
    • Caps:
    • The charges shall not exceed $100 for each fire call or alarm.
    • The charges shall not exceed $250 per hour (or a proportional sum for fractions of an hour) for responding to a fire or emergency.
    • Insurance involvement:
    • The charging can apply to the insurance company of the person or business receiving the service, as defined in Missouri statute (section 376.020), unless the policy explicitly excludes coverage for fire district responses.
  • Other core district authorities remain intact (e.g., contracting with municipalities, eminent domain, pensions, board governance, etc.), with the charging authority added as a new potential duty.

Who would be affected

  • Affected parties:
    • Businesses and individuals who are outside the district but receive emergency services within the district (current law already allows charging those outside the district; this bill expands charging to include in-district entities that are not residents or have no within-district address).
    • Insurance companies that insure such businesses or individuals, when applicable.
  • Exemptions:
    • Individuals residing within the district.
    • Businesses with a physical presence or address within the district.
  • Fire protection districts themselves would incur administrative changes to implement the charging framework (ordinances, billing, enforcement).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Legislative status:
    • Referred to Emerging Issues (H) as of May 15, 2026.
    • Previously: read second time (Feb 27, 2026) and introduced (Feb 26, 2026).
  • Next steps:
    • If enacted, districts would need to adopt ordinances outlining charging standards, rates (within the statutory caps), and billing procedures.
    • Implementation would require coordination with fire districts, affected businesses, residents, and insurers, plus potential voter input if new borrowing or substantial fee structures are involved (consistent with existing district powers and voter approval processes).

Practical considerations

  • Financial impact:
    • Potential revenue source for fire districts through cost-recovery for emergency responses outside the district or for non-resident entities and their insurers.
    • Caps ($100 per call, $250 per hour) provide a ceiling to avoid excessive charges but could limit revenue depending on service mix and frequency.
  • Administrative considerations:
    • Enforcement and billing mechanisms would need to be established, including contract with insurers and determining “actual and reasonable” costs.
    • Clarity on which services are billable (emergency responses within district boundaries) and how to handle multi-jurisdictional responses.

Conclusion

HB 3474 broadens the cost-recovery framework for Missouri fire protection districts by allowing charges to non-residents (outside entities and insurers) who receive emergency services within district boundaries, while preserving a protections for district residents and locally based businesses. It introduces specified caps on charges and requires districts to adopt ordinances to implement the new authority.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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