Allows municipalities to enact a local law, ordinance or resolution authorizing a fire company to establish a stipend program for volunteer firefighters who schedule and complete daytime duty coverage; allows the office of fire prevention and control may make available state funds through a day shift stipend to volunteer firefighters for scheduled daytime duty coverage.
Impact
This bill has implications on existing state laws, particularly the general municipal law and the volunteer firefighters' benefit law. It specifically adds a new section that provides guidance on how stipend programs should be structured, including eligibility requirements and compensation parameters. Importantly, stipends provided under this program will not be considered remuneration, thus preserving the volunteer status of firefighters and preventing potential conflicts with existing legal frameworks governing volunteer service.
Summary
Assembly Bill A10591 introduces a stipend program aimed at supporting volunteer firefighters by allowing municipalities to establish programs that provide nominal payments for completed daytime duty coverage. The primary goal of this bill is to address issues related to volunteer firefighter availability, particularly during the day when many volunteers may have regular jobs, thus ensuring that fire services are adequately staffed. The bill seeks to empower local governments to create and manage these stipend programs through local laws, ordinances, or resolutions.
Contention
Notable points of contention may arise around how these stipend programs will be funded and administered. Concerns may also be voiced regarding the potential for variations in stipend amounts and management practices across different municipalities, leading to disparities in volunteer support and services. Additionally, there could be debates concerning state versus local control in the establishment and operation of such programs, especially regarding fiscal responsibilities and long-term funding strategies. The provision for non-binding state guidelines for the stipend programs adds a layer of complexity, as local entities may have differing interpretations or implementation strategies.
Requires the office of fire prevention and control to pay training stipends in specific amounts to volunteer firefighters for completion of certain firefighter trainings; provides that if a volunteer fire company pays training stipends to volunteer firefighters in an amount below what is otherwise required to be paid by OFPC, OFPC shall pay the remaining amount.
An Act Allowing A Personal Income Tax Deduction For Stipends Paid To Volunteer Firefighters, Volunteer Fire Police Officers And Volunteer Ambulance Members.
Allows an authority having jurisdiction over a volunteer fire department or fire company in a county, city, town, village, fire district, or fire protection district to provide volunteer firefighters with a stipend for responses to calls and for certain standby services.