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Committee debates 5-cent fee for firefighters'c cancer relief; roll call taken, votes held open
Summary
The Public Safety and Security Committee debated Senate Bill 13-18, which would assess a fee to fund a firefighters'c cancer relief account. Lawmakers expressed strong support for firefighters but disagreed on the funding mechanism; a roll call was taken and votes were held open for later certification.
The Public Safety and Security Committee discussed Senate Bill 13-18, which would assess a per-bill fee to deposit into a firefighters'c cancer relief account, and took a roll call on whether to move the bill to the Finance Committee. Committee members voiced support for funding firefighters but deep disagreement about using a small surcharge on consumer bills to raise money.
The measure, described during the meeting as a 5-cent-per-bill fee, was presented for referral to the Finance Committee. Senator Gaston moved the referral and Representative McGourty seconded. Representative John Howard (ranking member) spoke at length in opposition to the funding mechanism, saying it amounted to what he called a "hidden tax" on consumer bills and that he would not support the bill in its present form.
"I have a significant love and appreciation for [firefighters]," Howard said. "…this 5¢ would just be that. It would be another hidden tax in a cell phone bill, albeit for a very, very noble cause." He said he preferred an appropriation from the state budget and objected to bypassing the regular budget process.
Other members disagreed on that point. Representative Quinn urged colleagues to accept the bill as a practical step forward, saying, "While we are literally nickel and diming on this, it's the best that we can hope for right now." Senator Gaston and other proponents urged support, characterizing the change as a modest way to ensure funds for firefighters at increased cancer risk from their duties.
Committee leadership said the bill would be better examined with the finance authors and within the larger budget context; the clerk proceeded with a roll call vote on the bill's referral to the Finance Committee. The clerk announced the roll call and a number of members recorded aye and nay votes on the record; the chair later said votes would be held open and the exact certification time determined at the end of the meeting.
Action recorded in the meeting: Senator Gaston moved to refer SB 13-18 to the Finance Committee; Representative McGourty seconded. A roll call was taken; the clerk left the roll open for certification after the meeting.
Why it matters: Committee members agreed firefighters face elevated cancer risk and that the state should provide assistance, but they disagreed about the appropriate funding vehicle. The disagreement reflects a broader legislative tension between targeted surcharges and budget appropriations as funding tools.
Next steps: The referral was taken by roll call and the clerk held votes open for later certification; the committee indicated the bill will be considered within the Finance Committee and the broader budget process.
