A bill authored by State Senator Rich Draheim (R-Madison Lake) that would provide a tax break for Minnesota’s volunteer firefighters and rescue workers was heard in the Senate Tax Committee on Thursday. SF 431 would allow these essential first responders to subtract $10,000 from their state taxable income, or $20,000 for married couples if both spouses qualify.
“I get a lot of calls and letters about this issue – 2 a.m. call, got to put out a barn fire. They get $15,” Senator Draheim said. “Most of these small-town fire departments have 30-year-old equipment. And not just firetrucks. I’m talking about the protective gear they wear going into a fire. I think we need to do a lot more. We need to prioritize this across the state, no matter the size of the community or the tax bracket of the community.”
The bill applies to those who serve in a volunteer, part-time, or on-call capacity, including firefighters, ambulance service personnel, emergency medical responders, and members of search and rescue teams. To qualify, individuals must work at least 40 hours annually in these roles but cannot be full-time employees (1,600+ hours per year).
Approximately 21,700 Minnesotans would benefit from the tax break, with an average annual savings of $620 per eligible taxpayer. The bill is designed to support recruitment and retention efforts, particularly as the number of volunteer emergency responders is declining according to data from the National Fire Protection Association.
If passed, the tax break would take effect for income earned in 2025. The bill was laid over and will be considered for a larger tax bill later in session.
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- Photo attachment: Senator Draheim in committee