Enacts the "omnibus emergency services volunteer incentive act" to provide certain benefits to volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers

1 Co-sponsor

• David Carlucci

BILL NUMBER:S3297A

Title of bill

An act to amend the tax law, the insurance law, the vehicle and traffic law and the education law, in relation to enacting the omnibus emergency services volunteer incentive act

Purpose

To institute an incentive program for emergency services volunteers.

Summary of provisions

Section 1. Title of bill.

Section 2. Authorizes a four hundred dollar tax credit for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers who have been active for four or more consecutive years, so long as they are not receiving a property tax exemption for such volunteer services.

Sections 3, 4 Authorizes the fire insurance premium currently charged to foreign mutual fire insurance companies for the benefit, in part, of fire companies, to be used for volunteer recruitment and retention purposes, including contributions to the cost of medical insurance for volunteers.

Sections 5, 6 and 7. Exempts from registration and vehicle use taxes, motor vehicles owned and used in the performance of their duty by emergency services volunteers.

Section 8. Amends the current provisions of the volunteer recruitment service scholarships so that volunteer organizations can submit the name of up to three qualified candidates.

Section 9. Creates a volunteer recruitment service loan forgiveness program.

Justification

New York State should recognize and reward the critical role fire and emergency services volunteers play in our communities. It is the intention of this legislation to provide a measure of gratitude and reasonable incentives to those persons who willfully volunteer their time, skills and services for such purposes.

Legislative history

2013 - S. 3297

Fiscal implications

Undetermined

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately. Sections 6, 7 and 8 would apply to fees, charges and taxes imposed after the effective date.