2017 -- S 0890

========

LC002612

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TAXATION - BRISTOL VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS TAX RELIEF

     Introduced By: Senators Felag, Coyne, Seveney, Lombardi, and Jabour

     Date Introduced: May 11, 2017

     Referred To: Senate Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 44-3 of the General Laws entitled "Property Subject to Taxation" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     44-3-15.6. Bristol volunteer firefighters exemption.

     The town of Bristol may establish, by ordinance, a program to provide property tax relief

for any individual who volunteers their services as a firefighter or emergency medical technician.

Such tax relief may provide an abatement of up to two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) in

property taxes due for any fiscal year. The criteria for providing such tax relief may include, but

not be limited to, years of service, rank, quantity of calls responded to, number of training hours,

and certification status.

     SECTION 2. If any provision of this act, or the application thereof to the town of Bristol

or to any person or circumstances, is deemed invalid for any reason, the remainder of this act, or

the application of such provision to said town or other persons or circumstances, shall not be

affected thereby and, to this end, the provisions of this act are declared to be severable.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC002612

========

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TAXATION - BRISTOL VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS TAX RELIEF

***

     This act would enable the town of Bristol to provide tax relief to volunteer firefighters

based upon certain qualifying criteria.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC002612

========

LC002612 - Page 2 of 2