Bill would give tax credit to volunteers

A series of bills dubbed “Helpers and Heroes” awaits action in the Pennsylvania Senate after passing the House of Representatives in October.

If and when Gov. Tom Wolf would ink his name on the legislation, at least one local fire chief hopes part of the package is considered by the school board governing his turf.

A key bill, Palmerton Municipal Fire Company Chief Jason Behler said, would allow school districts the option of enacting a tax credit against the property tax liability of active volunteers of a fire or EMS company.

Volunteer manpower, Behler said, continues to dwindle in Palmerton, as it is in fire companies around the state.

“We come to the schools every year during fire prevention week to let the students explore the trucks and talk to them about things like having a plan at home to get out of the house should there be a fire,” he said. “We nearly had to cancel one of those appearances because we thought we wouldn’t have anyone to go.”

Behler said should the legislation pass and be enacted by the district, it would not open the floodgates for people lining up for fire company membership to get tax forgiveness.

“There is a bar that has to be achieved by members,” Behler said. “They have to show up to calls, be active in the different functions of the fire company.”

A similar program started in Palmerton Borough last year, Behler said, and only nine fire company members qualified.

The legislation aimed at school districts was introduced by state Rep. Matt Gabler of Clearfield and Elk counties.

“Recruitment and retention of volunteers in our emergency services community is very vital and currently is suffering from the ability to recruit and maintain volunteers,” Gabler said. “We all depend on these hardworking and dedicated first responders on a daily basis to protect our citizens and our properties.”

The General Assembly passed Act 172 of 2016 authorizing local municipalities to adopt a property tax credit for first responders.

“My proposal expands Act 172 by authorizing school districts to offer active volunteers a tax credit,” he said. “In addition, the current property tax credit allowance is up to 20% of an active volunteer’s tax liability. My proposal increases this amount to up to 100% of their tax liability across the board.”

The bill was referred to the Senate’s Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness committee on Oct. 31.

School district officials said they would take the incentive under consideration should the incentive pass.