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Senate committee approves bill letting some Kentucky cities offer alternative firefighter schedules
Summary
The Senate Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection voted unanimously to advance House Bill 131, which would allow certain second-class cities without collective bargaining to adopt alternative firefighter shift schedules.
Representative Michael Meredith introduced House Bill 131 to the Senate Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection, asking the panel to allow certain second-class cities that lack collective bargaining agreements to adopt alternative firefighter shift schedules.
Meredith said the change responds to a 2014 city reclassification reform that left some cities restricted to a 24-on, 48-off schedule. “So they have been looking at exploring other options based on talking to firefighters around the country, creating a better work life balance, within their their their career,” Meredith said. He described the bill as permissive: it would allow, but not require, participating departments to adopt an “on 48 off 96” schedule or a “1‑3‑2‑3” arrangement in which a firefighter would work 24 hours then be off 72, then work 48 and be off 72.
Gracie Kelly, director of government affairs for the Kentucky League of Cities, and Joe Barrett, president of Kentucky Professional Firefighters, joined Meredith at the table. Meredith told the committee the League and the firefighters’ organization had worked on the measure since the previous summer and that there was no known opposition.
Senator Richardson described the bill as narrowly permissive. “This doesn’t change any fire department that is comfortable with what they’re doing already. It just allows extra flexibility if they so choose to,” Richardson said.
After brief questions, committee members voted by roll call. The transcript records the following recorded aye votes: Senator Boswell; Senator Higdon; Senator Reid; Senator Richardson; Senator Smith; Senator Tichenor; Senator Wilson; Senator Yates; and Chair Deneen. The committee recorded the bill as passing unanimously and forwarded it to the full Senate with favorable consideration.
The measure applies only to the municipal classification and scheduling rules described in the presentation; it does not alter collective bargaining law or mandate any schedule change. Senator Higgins later asked that an “I” vote be recorded on House Bill 131.
