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Last Action

Ref to the Com on Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House2025-04-03

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill creates a one-year pilot program that reimburses volunteer firefighters in North Carolina for mileage traveling to emergency calls and for personal equipment used during those responses. The program is funded with $1 million, administered by the Department of Public Safety, and will end June 30, 2026, with a report to the legislature on whether it should be expanded or made permanent.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue that volunteer firefighters often use personal vehicles and equipment to respond to emergencies, which is an unreimbursed expense that strains their finances.
• •This program addresses recruitment and retention challenges by recognizing the real costs volunteers incur when serving their communities.
• •The pilot approach allows the state to test the program's effectiveness before deciding whether to expand it.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may question whether a $1 million appropriation is the best use of state funds during budget constraints, or whether this cost should instead be borne by individual fire departments or municipalities.
• •Some may worry about administrative complexity in processing claims across the state or whether the one-year timeline is sufficient to collect meaningful data on the program's long-term value.