In the near future, I plan to reintroduce SB 1193, permitting counties, school districts, councils of governments and municipalities to include HazMat responders in their tax exemptions for first responders.

Currently, counties, school districts, councils of governments, and municipalities can provide earned income or property tax credits to members of volunteer fire companies and/or nonprofit EMS agencies.

HazMat responders are emergency responders, who within the community, are trained to handle and mitigate hazardous materials incidents when called upon. While many HazMat responders are already members of a volunteer fire company or EMS agency, some are only associated with a volunteer HazMat team. My legislation would simply permit these volunteer Hazmat Team members to be eligible for the tax credit if the county, school district, COG or municipality deems appropriate.

Please join me in cosponsoring this legislation, which is supported by the PA HazMat Association.

Last Session, SB 1193 was cosponsored by Senators Miller, Pennycuick and Vogel -- and was unanimously reported from the Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 0084: 35-79, 35-03