Legislative Committee
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Committee Chair |
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Nyle Zikmund, Chair, SBM Fire Department
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The mission of the Legislative Committee is to provide focus, representation, and visibility for the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association in legislative activities by advocating, supporting, sponsoring, opposing and actively participating in the legislative process involving those issues, areas, or proposals as directed by the president of the association.
Legislative Committee 2011 – Nyle Zikmund
This past year the MSFCA Legislative Committee experienced a roller coaster ride of failures and successes at the Legislature, primarily as it relates to the Fire Safety Account (FSA). We began on a low note when the Governor’s original budget came out and all FSA monies were transferred to the general fund for other use. However, shortly after and largely due to efforts by the Minnesota Professional Firefighters all money was restored; a historic first!
As we migrated thru the session we continued the ride with House Public Safety Chair Tony Cornish giving us an entire committee hearing dedicated to the FSA while the Senate did not give us any time. That euphoria lasted only a short time though as the House bill took all the money while the Senate left $2 million; go figure!
As the bill moved to conference we were hoping to salvage the Senate position but to no avail as the House language prevailed and thus, all money was taken. But then the Governor vetoed all but the Agricultural budget bill so everything was back in play.
We received word the morning of the Special Session that $4.7 million of the unallocated $8.5 million would be allocated to the Fire Safety Account. Next to the Governor’s adjusted budget, this was historic in the amount finally allocated to the FSA as the original legislative intended.
However and unfortunately we once again came down from this high when it was discovered that no appropriation anguage was included in the special session agreement. While there was verbal agreement as part of the global solution, absent the actual appropriation language the money cannot be transferred from the special revenue fund to the FSA.
So, we started on a low note and have ended on a low note. But, we are well positioned and will resolve to have the $4.7 million agreed to in the Special Session appropriated to the FSA once the legislature convenes January 24, 2012.
Despite the roller coaster ride on the FSA, we did accomplish two other important goals last session; passage of the donated equipment bill which had been on the docket for four years. You can now donate any used public safety equipment to another department in Minnesota and be immune from liability absent gross negligence. Additionally, if you are in the market for used equipment, you no longer are required to obtain three bids for purchase of that specific item. The fact you are buying used meets the public bidding process requirements.
Submitted by Nyle Zikmund, Chair
Legislative Committee Rreport 2011
Legislative Committee Rreport 2010
Legislative Committee Rreport 2009
Legislative Committee Rreport 2008
No meeting minutes at this time.
MSFCA Legislative Updates
Click Here to View Previous Updates
Legislative Update
December 7, 2011
Big Update
Pensions:
IRS 990 Issue Legal Work has been completed, meeting at the League on December 19th to finalize with all the stakeholders.
Four possible situations reliefs could be in, packet has been developed for each. Packet will be made available for $500 per relief and includes all the forms and instructions needed to file with the IRS to address your specific issue. ALL reliefs should consider sending in a correspondence with EXCEPTION of the very few (less than 5) that have a IRS Letterhead letter stating that they are a 501 c (3) or (4). To obtain that letter you would have had to submit a form and numerous documents. Many have a letter stating they do not have to file the 990; this is not the same. Please email me if you are interested in obtaining a packet.
Auditor Otto has reconvened the working group on volunteer fire, they held an organizational meeting and will get into more substance at their next meeting Tuesday December 14 from 11 to 1.
The State Wide Pension Plan continues to attract more and more interest with over 30 departments contacting them in the past few months. PERA has a number of folks trained to come out and give a presentation (ideally you will invite other local departments if you set something up). Contact Dave DeJonge to schedule at meeting. dave.dejonge@mnpera.org
2012 Legislative Session:
Legislative Committee has met, reviewed all the initiatives and the feedback to date and factored in a number of issues in determining what we will focus on; Fire Safety Account is clearly first and more on that; also will be working on the residential sprinkler issue (more on that), opposing expansion of fireworks (we are assured a bill is coming), expanding the community paramedic bill, and addressing an issue that has arisen from the memorial fundraising; mandatory notification of active duty firefighter deaths (all) to the Department of Public Safety so a proper evaluation of whether a Line of Duty Death has occurred.
Fire Service Day at the Capitol:
Tuesday February 21, 2012 - Save the Date
IRC Code Adoption-Sprinkler Issue:
The Department of Labor and Industry has formed their code adoption committees. St. Louis Park Fire Chief Luke Stemmer who is the chair of the Chiefs Code Committee has been appointed to the committee working on the Residential Code. They will be meeting next Wednesday, the 15th and spending specific time on the sprinkler issue. MSFCA Executive Director will be providing testimony on behalf of MSFCA.
Memorial Foundation Fundraising Effort:
To those who have donated (about 340 departments) a HUGE thank you, to those who have yet to - please give serious consideration as we now are confident this project will come to fruition based on the giving to date. In fact, we are so confident that we have set the dedication for Sunday, October 7, 2012 at 11:00 am. This will coincide with the national memorial ceremony held at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg. Efforts are already underway specific to the planning of this event.
ACTION ITEMS:
- If you have not donated, please do. (deadline is December 31st of this year) Suggested donation is $30 per fire firefighter (collected by the FD and sent to Flagship Bank).
- Save the date and plan on attending.
Nyle Zikmund, Fire Chief; EFO, CFO, MiFireE
SBM Fire Department
1710 County Highway 10
Spring Lake Park, MN 55432
612-860-7442
nzikmund@sbmfire.com
"Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent." - Marlene vos Savan, 1946 -