LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FOR THE 2025/2026 SESSION
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The 2025/2026 Legislative Session began three weeks ago and two of our priorities have already been Introduced in both the House and Senate.
House Bill 37, Companion Bill to Senate Bill 86. These two Bills:
– Increases the Fire and Rescue Pension Benefit from $175 to $180 without an increase in Premiums.
– It also adds a fire service representative to the State EMS Advisory Board, giving the Fire Service input into EMS policies that affect our response operations and training.
House Bill 97, Companion Bill to Senate Bill 97: These Two Bills:
Change “Cancers of the Small Intestine” to “Cancers of the Stomach and Small Intestine”.
Why Companion Bills? If both pass in their respective Chambers, then they can be ratified without progressing over to the other Chamber. It also increase awareness to the issues in both Chambers.
We’ve gotten a great start to HB 37, Increasing Firefighter Benefits. It passed the Judiciary I Committee this Tuesday with a favorable report. It now goes to the Pension Committee in the House.
House Bill 98 was also introduced, which increases the use, sale, and allowable size of fireworks in NC. As we have historically, we oppose these increases in sale and use of fireworks by the public.
In addition, we are in support of several other Bills currently shown on the list below, including House Bill 22, which provides authorization for OSFM to conduct Fire Investigations. This was passed last year in the budget bill, but was vetoed by the Governor, and requires passage again this year.
We will continue to monitor bills as they are introduced.
Federal Legislation – We continue to Pursue Changes to IRS Regulations that could allow non-profit career firefighters in LGERS.
Legislative Day Legislative Day has been scheduled for April 30th, 2025. Please mark your calendars. More information will be coming out in the future as planning proceeds.
LEGISLATIVE DAY 2025: APRIL 30TH
Please Mark Your Calendars and Plan to Attend!
Tim Bradley, Executive Director, NCSFA
Steven Roberson, 1st VP, NCSFA
Barry Overman, Incoming Executive Director, NCSFA
Listed below are the State bills introduced so far this session that we are currently tracking.
H 0022 | Fire Investigation Law Revisions | Jan 29, 2025 | Feb 03, 2025 – Re-ref to the Com on State and Local Government, if favorable, Insurance, if favorable, Judiciary 1, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House | Charlie Miller |
Provides authority for the State Fire Marshal office to do Fire Investigations. This was approved in the budget bill last session but was vetoed.
H 0037 | Enhance Firefighter Benefits & Representation | Feb 03, 2025 | Feb 11, 2025 – Re-ref Com On Pensions and Retirement | Julia C. Howard |
Sister Bill to HB 86. Increases Pension from $175 to $180 and adds a member of the fire service to the State EMS Advisory Commission.
H 0047 | Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 – Part I | Feb 04, 2025 | Feb 12, 2025 – Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House | Dudley Greene |
H 0050 | LEO Special Separation Allowance Options | Feb 04, 2025 | Feb 05, 2025 – Ref to the Com on Judiciary 1, if favorable, State and Local Government, if favorable, Pensions and Retirement, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House | A. Reece Pyrtle |
H 0052 | Protect Those Who Serve & Protect Act of 2025 | Feb 04, 2025 | Feb 11, 2025 – Re-ref to the Com on Judiciary 2, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House | Kelly E. Hastings |
H 0061 | Assaults on First Responders | Feb 04, 2025 | Feb 06, 2025 – Ref to the Com on Judiciary 2, if favorable, Emergency Management and Disaster Recovery, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House | A. Reece Pyrtle |
H 0097 | Support Firefighters Fighting Cancer | Feb 11, 2025 | Feb 12, 2025 – Ref to the Com on Appropriations, if favorable, Pensions and Retirement, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House | Paul Scott |
Changes Cancers of the Small Intestines to “Cancers of the Stomach and Small Intestines”. Sister Bill to HB 97.
H 0098 | Patriotism Expression Act | Feb 11, 2025 | Feb 12, 2025 – Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House | Wyatt Gable |
Increases the use, sale, and size of fireworks in NC.
S 0031 | The Wells Act | Jan 30, 2025 | Feb 11, 2025 – Re-ref to Regulatory Reform. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate | Jim Burgin |
Requires the review of all State Commissions and Committees not previously reviewed.
S 0086 | Enhance Firefighter Benefits & Representation | Feb 12, 2025 | Feb 13, 2025 – Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate | Tim Moffitt |
Sister Bill to HB 86. Increases Pension from $175 to $180 and adds a member of the fire service to the State EMS Advisory Commission.
S 0097 | Support Firefighters Fighting Cancer | Feb 13, 2025 | Feb 13, 2025 – Filed | Tim Moffitt |
Changes Cancers of the Small Intestines to “Cancers of the Stomach and Small Intestines”. Sister Bill to HB 97.
