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Committee advances bill to allow fire departments same fuel-tax treatment as ambulances
Summary
House Bill 1281, introduced by Representative Brandy Pyle, would let fire departments use dyed (red) diesel and receive fuel-tax refunds like ambulances; committee amended the bill and voted a recommendation of “do pass.”
Representative Brandy Pyle introduced House Bill 1281 to the House Finance and Taxation Committee, saying the bill would change state tax treatment so fire departments can use the same dyed diesel and fuel-tax refund rules as ambulances.
Pyle said the bill corrects a drafting error in the title and would treat fire departments’ fuel use “similarly to that of ambulances concerning the type of fuel that they are allowed to use.” She told the committee the change would reduce operating costs for volunteer and paid departments and would affect “all 356 fire departments in our state.”
John Halen, fire chief of the Castleton Fire Department, testified in support by telephone. He described Castleton as a 100% volunteer department covering a large rural area, emphasizing that the department draws funding from townships, cities and donations and that fuel used responding to highway incidents is not separately reimbursed. Halen said his department’s four‑year average fuel usage was about 855 gallons.
Committee members asked how the departments are funded and whether contracting arrangements or nonprofit status affect eligibility for tax relief. Pyle and Chief Halen described common arrangements in which rural departments contract with multiple townships or cities and receive payments through those political subdivisions.
Representative Porter moved the committee amendment; Representative Steiner seconded. Members voted to adopt the simple title/fuel wording amendment. Porter then moved a “do pass” recommendation on the amended bill; Representative Anderson seconded. The clerk recorded the roll call and the motion carried; the clerk stated, “Motion’s carried. 13‑0 with 1 absent not voting.” Representative Nering was assigned to carry the bill to the floor.
The bill’s sponsor and supporters framed the measure as a limited, technical change to allow fuel‑type parity with ambulances and to reduce operating costs for rural and volunteer fire departments. No organized opposition appeared during the hearing.
Representative Pyle noted the Legislative Council had corrected a drafting error in the title and offered the corrected language to the committee.
The committee closed the hearing after the vote and prepared the amended bill for floor consideration.
