Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Labor Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee approves permissive catastrophic-leave measure for city employees and firefighters
Summary
Senate Bill 455 passed committee; the permissive bill would allow cities to create catastrophic-leave pools for employees (including firefighters) rather than imposing a mandatory statewide requirement, a sponsor said.
Senate Bill 455, introduced by Senator Garner, would allow cities to adopt catastrophic-leave pool policies enabling employees or coworkers to donate leave to a colleague facing severe illness or injury. Garner said the measure is permissive — a local-option alternative to a House bill that would have mandated specified hours — and was developed with the municipal league.
The sponsor said cities and fire departments could choose whether to adopt a policy and that it gives local governments flexibility rather than imposing a potentially costly state mandate. Garner said some firefighters had suggested amendments to allow overtime or staffing adjustments to reduce costs; the sponsor said such changes could be considered by amendment later.
Senators asked whether cities can already adopt such policies; Garner and municipal-league representatives said there was a gap in practice and that this bill would provide explicit authorization. The committee moved the bill forward on a voice vote.
