Delegation gives unfavorable recommendation to volunteer-firefighter property-tax credit after $9.9 million fiscal estimate

The Baltimore County House Delegation voted 12–6 to give House Bill 127 an unfavorable recommendation after a subcommittee reported a substantial fiscal estimate for a proposed property tax credit for public safety employees narrowed to volunteer firefighters.

Delegate Ruth, reporting for the subcommittee, summarized the review and described research from county staff: “She found, essentially, there's a little little over 3,000 volunteer firefighters living in the county. And if you look at average assessments, the county is estimating that the fiscal impact of the bill would be, even with the amendment, would be $9,900,000.” The subcommittee concluded that the fiscal note and vagueness in the bill’s language made passage impractical; the chair of the subcommittee moved an unfavorable recommendation, which the delegation seconded and carried.

Subcommittee members and other delegates expressed support for volunteers but said the estimated cost was too high to pass an enabling or mandatory credit without further refinement. The sponsor, Delegate Metzger, acknowledged he would keep working on the issue and said he was open to converting the measure to an enabling proposal or pursuing amendments to reduce the fiscal impact.

Because the unfavorable motion carried, HB127 will not be forwarded as introduced by the delegation in its present form. Several delegates urged the sponsor to continue consultations about fiscal mitigation and eligibility clarifications for career firefighters who also serve as volunteers.