Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Fleming bipartisan bill to protect firefighters’ income passes House

Fleming bipartisan bill to protect firefighters’ income passes House

Rep. Justin Fleming    June 24, 2025 | 2:59 PM

HARRISBURG, June 23 – Bipartisan legislation from state Reps. Justin Fleming and Joe Kerwin that would exempt income tax on length of service awards for volunteer firefighters passed the House today.

“Every day, our volunteer firefighters give their time and put themselves in danger to safeguard our community's health, safety, and property," said Fleming, D-Dauphin. "Our bill keeps the hard-earned money these men and women deserve in their pockets."

House Bill 1306 would exclude contributions to length of service award programs from the definition of income under the Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax.

“Firefighters answer the call 24/7 to protect our communities. There are great demands on their time, and they shouldn’t be taxed on the income that departments use as a retention incentive,” Kerwin, R-Dauphin, said.

To retain volunteers during an ongoing statewide firefighter shortage, some fire companies are choosing to offer length of service award programs to volunteers who remain with the fire company for a dedicated amount of time.

The representatives said they feel these award programs not only honor the sacrifices of the brave men and women who keep Pennsylvania safe, but also provide a retention incentive. They are concerned that contributions made by a fire company to a volunteer firefighter through a length-of-service award program can currently be considered compensation and taxed as income.

The bill now moves to the state Senate for consideration.