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Committee refers bill to suspense file to exempt mutual-aid pay from state income tax
Summary
AB 918 would exempt state income tax on pay earned by local first responders while deployed on mutual aid within California's declared emergencies; sponsors said the measure is targeted to local agencies and intended to strengthen the mutual-aid system. The committee placed the bill on the suspense file.
Assemblymember (presenting) introduced AB 918 to provide a targeted state income tax exemption for pay earned by local first responders when they are deployed on mutual aid during duly declared emergencies.
The presenter said California’s mutual-aid system is under strain as natural disasters become more frequent and severe, and called out the Los Angeles fires as a recent example. "Despite the extraordinary demands and the need for service, their mutual aid earnings are taxed as regular income," the sponsor said, urging the committee to consider a narrow exemption for payments earned while staff are deployed to other jurisdictions.
Jonathan Feldman of the California Police Chiefs Association testified in support and described the work as "24 hours, until the emergency is at rest," urging the committee to incentivize continued participation in mutual aid. Ryan Sherman of the California Narcotic Officers Association also voiced support.
A committee member asked why the bill applies only to employees of local agencies; the sponsor replied that the bill targets employees who are pulled away from their daily community duties to perform extraordinary service and that the measure was carefully narrowed "to make sure that this bill had minimal impact" on state revenues.
No formal opposition registered at the hearing. The committee chair announced AB 918 would be referred to the suspense file for fiscal review and prioritization alongside other bills with fiscal effects.
