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Ways and Means General Fund committee advances firefighter benefits, license-plate bills and parental notification measure
Summary
The committee gave favorable reports to several bills including a death benefit for volunteer firefighters, new firefighter license plates, increased firefighter plate fees, a parental electronic notification system for youth traffic infractions, and a lifetime disabled hunting and fishing license; most passed without extensive debate.
The Ways and Means General Fund committee advanced a package of bills on procedural votes that included benefits for firefighters, new distinctive license plates and a parental notification system for certain youth traffic infractions.
In the session’s early business, members supported a bill to provide a death benefit to survivors of certified volunteer firefighters who die of cancer. The measure was introduced, moved and received a favorable report from the committee.
Representative Travis presented House Bill 3-17 to create a firefighter distinctive license plate, including recognition for fire chaplains and penalties for violations; members moved the bill and it received a favorable report.
Representative Kiel introduced House Bill 3-18 to authorize a parental electronic notification system for traffic infractions involving minors. Regent McCamby questioned applicability to individuals under age 19 and whether the system is opt-in; members confirmed the measure is opt-in. The committee moved the bill and issued a favorable report.
House Bill 2-53, presented by Representative Horton, would increase fees for volunteer and professional firefighter distinctive plates and direct distributions to assist the state fire college and related programs. The committee voted to report the bill favorably.
Representative Stringer presented House Bill 2-71 to establish a lifetime hunting and fishing license for residents determined to be totally and permanently disabled. Members expressed support, moved the measure and the committee issued a paper report.
Most of the votes were recorded as procedural "ayes" from members on the floor; the transcript records committee agreement and favorable reports but does not provide named roll-call vote tallies for each measure.
The chair opened the meeting by noting the committee has 22 bills assigned, about eight of which are budget bills that will be tracked with chairman Albritton, and said some bills with significant impact on the general fund will not move at this time. The chair indicated staff will meet with members after the session to refine timelines for bills moving to the House.
The committee adjourned after completing the listed items and said staff will report back on the Senate timeline and next steps.
