Bill
HB 565
Creates a state study to identify incentives for recruiting and retaining volunteer firefighters; reports findings and recommended legislation to the General Assembly.
Status / Context
- Short title: Study Volunteer Firefighter Incentives (HB 565).
- Primary sponsors (2023 NC version): Reps. Lowery, Brisson, Crutchfield, Strickland.
- Action: Establishes a state-level study to identify ways to incentivize recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters. Report to the General Assembly required. Effective when enacted.
Purpose and intent
- Directs state agencies to study and develop recommendations for policies and programs that would increase recruitment and retention among volunteer firefighters. The underlying goal is to strengthen volunteer fire and emergency response capacity across the state.
Key provisions
- Lead agencies: The Department of Insurance (DOI) (or equivalent) in collaboration with the Labor and Economic Analysis Division (LEAD) of the Department of Commerce will conduct the study.
- Study scope: Identify and evaluate ways to incentivize recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters; develop findings and recommendations; include proposed legislation if appropriate.
- Reporting requirement: The DOI and LEAD must submit a report of findings and recommendations (including any proposed statutory changes) to the next Regular Session of the General Assembly (the bill as introduced directed the report to the 2024 Regular Session).
- Committee variant (committee substitute): Establishes a formal Study Committee chaired by the Commissioner of Insurance and composed of eight additional members:
- 2 members from the Office of State Fire Marshal;
- 2 members from LEAD (Dept. of Commerce);
- 2 appointees by the Speaker of the House (one volunteer firefighter and one volunteer fire chief);
- 2 appointees by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate (one volunteer firefighter and one volunteer fire chief).
- Effective date: the act becomes effective upon enactment (language in the versions provided indicates “effective when it becomes law”).
Who would be affected
- Primary affected parties: volunteer firefighters, volunteer fire departments and chiefs, municipal and county governments that depend on volunteer firefighting capacity, and state agencies coordinating fire and emergency services.
- Secondary impacts: taxpayers and state/local budgets depending on any recommended incentive programs (e.g., stipends, tax credits, benefits) and any implementation costs identified by the study.
Potential topics the study may evaluate (illustrative, not prescriptive)
- Financial incentives (stipends, length-of-service awards, tax credits)
- Benefits and protections (health/retirement benefits, workers’ compensation, liability protections)
- Training, career pathways, tuition reimbursement, and certification support
- Recruitment/retention grants, equipment funding, childcare/shift supports
- Coordination between paid and volunteer staffing models
Procedural / timeline notes
- The study is to be completed and a report submitted to the legislature by the next Regular Session identified in the bill text. The committee-substitute structure provides an ongoing, multi-stakeholder forum to develop recommendations and draft legislation if warranted.
Fiscal impact
- No fiscal analysis is included in the bill text itself. Any costs or savings would depend on the committee’s recommendations and any implementing legislation the General Assembly adopts.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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