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House Committee advances bill creating income-tax credit for AED installations
Summary
The House Committee on Health voted to move House Bill 15-35 forward with amendments after testimony from state tax and health officials and public supporters who said AEDs save lives and are cost-effective to deploy in public settings.
The House Committee on Health advanced House Bill 15-35 on Friday, a measure that would establish an income tax credit for installing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in workplaces and public locations.
Robert Aviallavi of the Department of Taxation said the department "stands on its written testimony" and was available to answer technical questions. Derek Hall, chief of EMS for the Department of Health, also said the department "stands on our written testimony" in support and made staff available for follow-up.
Public witnesses urged passage for life‑saving reasons. "This is a good idea," said Dr. Jack Lewen, an internist and cardiologist who testified in favor of the measure. Kailey Swan, testifying by Zoom, described AEDs on transit and at stations and asked the committee to pass the bill to ensure community access.
Chair members discussed technical amendments, including clarifications requested by the Department of Taxation and a proposed threshold to apply the credit to employers with at least 25 employees. The committee adopted the chair's recommendation to pass the bill with amendments and a defective effective date.
The committee recorded votes aloud during decision-making: the chair and vice chair voted aye and the recommendation was adopted. The bill will proceed as a house draft for further consideration.
