Garden State Times

9th District State Representatives Senator Carmen Amato, Jr., Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblyman Gregory Myhre are actively supporting and sponsoring legislative initiatives to aid in the retention and recruitment of volunteer first responders.

Assemblyman Rumpf is the prime sponsor of legislation, A-1754, which would permit eligible volunteer firefighters and first aid or rescue squad members to take an additional $2,000 exemption as a deduction from gross income under the New Jersey gross income tax. Assemblyman Myhre is a co-sponsor, and Senator Amato is a co-sponsor of the identical companion measure, S-2083, introduced by Senator Vin Gopal.

Senator Amato has introduced S-3567, which would require access to periodic cancer screening examinations for volunteer firefighters serving in a fire district of this state or a fire department, unit, or company within this state or its political subdivisions without cost-sharing. Assemblyman Rumpf and Assemblyman Myhre have joined as co-sponsors on the identical companion measure, A-4649, introduced by Assemblyman Robert Auth.

Amato, Rumpf, and Myhre have also joined as co-sponsors on companion legislation S-2386 and A-3532. This legislation would establish a refundable gross income tax credit to provide reimbursement to active members of volunteer fire departments and first aid squads for using their personal vehicles in performing active duty. The companion bills were introduced by Senator Vin Gopal and Assemblywoman Margie Donlon M.D., respectively.

The 9th District Delegation has also signed on as co-sponsors to SCR-82 and ACR-110. These propose a constitutional amendment to permit municipalities to provide a partial property tax exemption of up to 15 percent of the assessed value of a home for certain volunteer first responders. The companion bills were introduced by Senator Vin Gopal and Assemblywoman Luanne M. Peterpaul.

Amato, Rumpf, and Myhre issued the following statement:

“Every day, volunteer first responders save lives and provide critical care to New Jersey residents. It is in the best interests of all residents of our great state to support these individuals and ensure policies are in place that allow them to keep performing their duties."

“Several comprehensive bipartisan proposals have been introduced which would directly address key issues for the volunteer first responder community and should be advanced as legislative priorities. Providing tax incentives and health care benefits are effective policies to retain and recruit first responders who volunteer their free time to serve their community as well as other communities when the need arises. Certainly, our Delegation will continue to support policies that ensure the continuation of the effective critical services provided by volunteer first responders."

“Lastly,” they added “we want to thank Manchester Councilman Joe Hankins for his invaluable insight and expertise on these legislative initiatives. Councilman Hankins has a lifetime of experience in emergency services having served as a police officer, fire chief, and emergency medical technician.”