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A bill that would allow local governments to enact earned income and property tax liability tax credits for volunteer firefighters and medics moved forward this week.
The legislation, which was proposed by Republican State Rep. Ryan Warner of Fayette and Westmoreland counties, would give towns, county government and school districts the authority to offer active volunteer and emergency medical agency members a tax credit of up to 20 percent of their tax liability. Also, the proposed law would require the Pennsylvania fire commissioner to establish the annual requirements of the tax credit program for active volunteers, such as the number of calls responded to, the training undertaken, or qualifying participation in the functions of the organization.
The bill received unanimous support from 194 members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives who were present for the vote. The remaining nine elected officials who did not vote were not in attendence.
Warner said in a statement that it is the citizens job to support first responders.
The bill now heads to the state Senate for consideration.
