Referred to:  The Law Enforcement & Public Safety Committee (Chairwoman Eckert and Legislators Collins, Haynes, Heppner, and Ronk)

Legislator Kenneth J. Ronk, Jr. and Legislators Fabiano, Gerentine, Haynes, Litts, Lopez, Maio, James Maloney, Roberts, Wawro and Woltman offer the following:

WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 7655 and Senate Bill 5564 have been introduced in the 2019-2020 Legislative Session to amend the tax law, in relation to providing a state income tax exemption for volunteer firefighters, volunteer ambulance workers, and members of a volunteer medical services personnel squad; and

WHEREAS, the United States Fire Administration reported 94.6% of New York State’s Fire Departments are comprised of volunteers or mostly volunteers; and

WHEREAS, the National Fire Protection Association reported the time donated by volunteer firefighters saves the nation’s localities an estimated $139.8 billion per year; and

WHEREAS, the Ulster County Legislature recognizes the quality of life and financial benefit volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers offer, and understands the significant challenges faced with recruiting and retaining volunteers in today’s world; and

WHEREAS, the Ulster County Legislature recognizes that that there will always be a need for people who care, who help, and who heal and that these brave men and woman are the first to respond in times of tragedy, terrorism and disaster, and;

WHEREAS, the Ulster County Legislature finds that current incentives available to volunteers do not go far enough to compensate for their dedicated community service, to offset the costs of rigorous training and continued education requirements, and to encourage their continued service; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Ulster County Legislature urges New York State lawmakers to support the passage of New York State Assembly Bill 7655 and Senate Bill 5564 to amend the Tax Law in relation to providing a state income tax exemption for volunteer firefighters, volunteer ambulance workers, and members of a volunteer medical services personnel squad; and, be it further

RESOLVED, the Clerk of the Ulster County Legislature shall forward copies of this resolution to Governor Andrew Cuomo, Assembly and Senate Majority and Minority Leaders, Assembly Ways and Means Committee Chair, Senate Finance Committee Chair, and all Ulster County elected Assemblymembers and Senators,

and move its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                        NOES:    

Passed Committee: Law Enforcement and Public Safety on _______________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

NONE