Senate Approves Tax Credits, Tuition Reimbursement for First Responders

HARRISBURG – The Senate approved a package of bills today that would help fire companies and emergency medical service companies to recruit and retain volunteers, according to Sen. Chuck McIlhinney (R-10).

"The unanimous approval of this package of bills speaks volumes about the respect and admiration our first responders have earned through their service," McIlhinney said. "Our volunteer firefighting and emergency services organizations face challenges in finding and keeping enough volunteers to adequately respond to the needs of our communities, but I am confident that these bills will help ease that burden."

Senate Bill 1314 would establish a $500 personal tax credit for active members of volunteer firefighting and emergency medical services organizations certified by the State Fire Commissioner or the Director of the Emergency Medical Services Office in the Department of Health. The tax break would help to defray some of the additional costs that many volunteers incur through their service, McIlhinney said.

The package also includes legislation that would create an undergraduate tuition reimbursement program for active volunteers. Under Senate Bill 1315, volunteers could receive a 50 percent reimbursement for each course credit at Pennsylvania community colleges, State System of Higher Education schools and state-related universities.

A third bill in the package, Senate Bill 1316, would establish a $1,000 tax credit against an employer's personal income tax, corporate net income tax, or capital stock and franchise tax for each member of a volunteer fire and/or emergency services employed full-time. Tax credits for employers may not exceed $5,000 per employer during a specific tax year.

McIlhinney said that the package of bills would provide nearly $23 million in tax credits and tuition reimbursements by fiscal year 2009-10 for fire and emergency medical services volunteers and their employers.

The package of legislation is the result of a bi-partisan commission of legislators, emergency responders, and local government representatives convened to review the needs of Pennsylvania's fire and emergency medical services communities.

Contact:

Heather Cevasco
(215) 489.5000