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Committee hears AB 918 to exempt mutual‑aid earnings from state income tax for local first responders; referred to suspense file
Summary
AB 918 would exempt payroll earned by local first responders while deployed on mutual-aid responses to declared emergencies from California income tax. Supporters said the exemption would strengthen mutual aid and help retain responders; the committee sent the bill to its suspense file for fiscal review.
Assemblymember Ransom presented AB 918, saying California’s increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters has placed heavy strain on the state’s mutual-aid system and that mutual‑aid earnings are currently taxed as regular income.
Ransom told the committee that mutual-aid deployments “force local agencies to juggle their own needs while responding to large scale disasters in other jurisdictions,” and said the bill would provide a targeted income-tax exemption for pay earned by local first responders when deployed under mutual aid to respond to duly declared emergencies.
Jonathan Feldman, representing the California Police Chiefs Association, testified in support and described the bill as “a targeted measure that really focuses on some of the most critical work that our first responders undertake during these mutual aid natural disasters.” Feldman drew on his experience as a wildland firefighter to describe the long shifts and physical stress during deployment and said the exemption would help incentivize continued participation in mutual aid.
Ryan Sherman of the California Narcotic Officers Association also voiced support on behalf of multiple police and sheriff associations. No witnesses registered opposition at the hearing.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about eligibility; Ransom said the exemption is limited to employees of local agencies deployed away from their regular community response duties and is intended to cover those “going above and beyond” typical assignments. After discussion, Chair Gibson announced AB 918 would be referred to the committee suspense file for fiscal consideration; no final vote was taken at the hearing.
