Committee approves property-tax relief for injured first responders, adding volunteers

The House Taxation Committee on executive action amended and approved House Bill 140, a measure introduced by Rep. C. Schomer to provide property-tax assistance for first responders injured in the line of duty and surviving spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty.

Representative Durham, speaking as a sponsor of floor amendments, moved two amendments. The first (HB140.1.1) reduced the income thresholds in lines 22–25 of page 1; committee discussion, including Representative Hussain’s remark that a lower threshold may slightly increase the fiscal note, concluded the amendment was acceptable and the committee approved HB140.1.1 by voice with proxies recorded (clerk tallied 21-0).

Durham then moved a second amendment (HB140.1.002) drafted by legal services to expand eligibility to include volunteer firefighters and volunteer emergency care personnel. Durham described volunteers as central to rural EMS and said the change acknowledges long-serving unpaid responders; Representative Elverum and Representative Weber voiced support. The amendment passed (clerk recorded 21-0). After amendments, a motion to pass the twice-amended bill carried on a voice vote with proxy tallies; the clerk reported 20 ayes and 1 nay and the committee passed HB140, twice amended.

House Bill 140: sponsor C. Schomer; subject — property tax assistance for injured first responders and surviving spouses; key amendments — reduced income thresholds and explicit inclusion of volunteer EMS personnel. The bill now advances from the House Taxation Committee.