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Committee backs bill granting limited job protections for volunteer firefighters
Summary
The Consumer & Public Affairs Committee gave House Bill 405 a “do pass” recommendation after debate over employer burdens and notification rules. The bill would grant volunteer firefighters up to about two weeks of protected leave for training and an additional two weeks for active service, with notice and certification requirements.
Representative Gonzalez, sponsor of House Bill 405, presented the measure to the Consumer & Public Affairs Committee, saying the bill would provide limited job protections for volunteer firefighters statewide. "This is and will continue to be, my number 1 priority is making sure that our service personnel, are well taken care of and supported," Gonzalez said.
The bill would provide up to 112 hours (about two weeks) of protected leave for professional development, training and certification, and a separate 112 hours for active service when volunteers are called out, Gonzalez said. She told the committee training leave would generally require 30 days' advance notice; for emergencies volunteers must immediately notify their employer and submit certification from their fire chief within designated business days to document active service hours.
The measure is aimed at rural counties that rely heavily on volunteers. Gonzalez noted volunteer ranks have fallen: "Statewide, they are reporting that... there are 3,131 paid firefighters, 4,312 volunteer firefighters, 7,443 total. But it has also been reported that... there were only about 1,500... active volunteer firefighters across the state." She also described local experience during the Calf Canyon Fire, when some volunteers left paid jobs to protect their communities during a three-month incident.
Committee members asked about employer impacts and the potential for hiring discrimination. One member said employers might be "less inclined to give you that job" if a candidate disclosed volunteer firefighting. Gonzalez compared the leave to jury duty or military leave and said existing employer leave policies could still be used; the bill creates a minimum job-protection floor and does not cover long deployments such as a three-month incident.
On a motion from Representative Romero, seconded by Representative Rubio, the committee took a roll call vote and recommended a do pass on House Bill 405. The recorded vote was 5–1. Representative Locke voted no; Representatives Lord, Romero, Thompson, the vice chair and the chair voted yes.
The committee's action advances the bill out of committee; further consideration and any amendments would occur in later committee or chamber proceedings.
