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Realty Transfer Tax Exemption for Volunteer Service Providers
House Bill 732 (PN 960), introduced by Representative Christopher Quinn, would amend the Tax Reform Code further providing for exempted transactions of the Realty Transfer Tax.
Specifically, the Realty Transfer Tax would not be imposed upon a transfer of real estate to or by a volunteer EMS company, fire company or fire rescue company. This bill would be applied retroactively to January 1, 2019.
Location: Second consideration in the Senate, March 25, 2020
Fire Relief Administration and Loan Assistance Programs
Senate Bill 908 (PN 1469), introduced by Senator Mike Regan, would amend Title 35 (Health and Safety) providing the Office of the State Fire Commissioner greater control over loan assistance programs.
This bill would transfer the responsibility of the Fire Relief Program from the Auditor General to the State Fire Commissioner. It would also permit the use of funds for facilities, vehicles and equipment for emergency response, recruitment and retention efforts, death benefits for active members and insurance. The legislation would establish the Fire Safety Advisory Committee to review the distribution formula for fire relief funds and provide a recommendation.
The legislation would further rename the Volunteer Fire Company, Ambulance Service and Rescue Squad Assistance Program the Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Loan Assistance Program. Use of the newly named program would be expanded to paid firefighters and EMS workers. Also, the maximum loan amounts under this program would be increased, and the State Fire Commissioner would form an application review committee to make loan recommendations.
The Volunteer Companies Loan Fund would also be renamed as the Emergency Services Loan Assistance Fund, and eligibility would be expanded to paid firefighters and EMS workers.
A section providing for a referendum would also be added to expand loan assistance.
Location: House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, January 30, 2020
Fire and EMS Grant Program Reauthorization
Senate Bill 910 (PN 1470), introduced by Senator Doug Mastriano, would amend Title 35 (Health and Safety) reauthorizing the Fire and EMS Grant Programs until June 30, 2024.
This bill would make the State Fire Commissioner the administrator of the Programs instead of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. Completed grant applications would be sent to both the Fire Commissioner and the municipality where the emergency service is located. The Commissioner would be responsible for preparing an annual report about the grant programs to be submitted on October 1 of each year to the chairs of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committees, as well as posting the report online.
The use of grant money would be expanded to fund recruitment and retention programs, community risk and reduction programs and Volunteer Firefighter Length of Service Award programs. Additional language states if two or more emergency services companies consolidate, then the interest rate on outstanding balances owed to the Volunteer Companies Loan Fund would be decreased from two percent to one percent.
Location: House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, January 30, 2020
Volunteer Firefighters' Relief Association
Senate Bill 932 (PN 1358), introduced by Senator Lisa Boscola, would amend Title 35 (Health and Safety) redefining volunteer firefighters’ relief associations by clarifying that membership may contain one or more volunteer fire companies or a combination of volunteer and paid departments.
Location: First consideration in the Senate, January 27, 2020
Office of the State Fire Commissioner
Senate Bill 987 (PN 1450), introduced by Senator Scott Hutchinson, would amend Title 35 (Health and Safety) restructuring the Office of the State Fire Commissioner and the Commissioner’s duties.
This bill would redefine the duties of the State Fire Commissioner to serve as the primary representative for fire services in the Commonwealth. Other duties would include assisting with recruitment and retention efforts, promoting public education and community risk reduction efforts, gathering data, preparing reports, administering grant and loan programs and developing and coordinating training curricula. This legislation would also alter the qualifications and appointment of the Commissioner, requiring the Commissioner to be someone that has served as chief officer or administrative officer of a fire company. The Commissioner would be appointed by the Governor and approved by a majority of the Senate.
Additionally, the State Fire Safety Advisory Committee would be renamed the State Fire Advisory Board, in which the Commissioner would be chair, and other members include representatives of fire associations as well as nine firefighters appointed by the Governor. Non-voting members of the board include the House and Senate chairs of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committees and other organizations representing relevant stakeholders, such as the local government associations.
Location: Second consideration in the Senate, March 25, 2020
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