State health trust support puts volunteer firefighters first

The state sets aside money to help participating employers pay health trust contributions for firefighters. The funding supports participating employers whose volunteer, part-time, or full-time firefighters receive benefits through the trust. Money goes first to reduce contributions for volunteer firefighters, then part-time firefighters; any amount left may go to full-time firefighters. The act lists $300,000 for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2024, $500,000 for the year starting July 1, 2025, and $1 million for the year starting July 1, 2027. This funding provision ends July 1, 2028.

The state reduces certain 2026–27 budget amounts for firefighter benefits and first responder health trusts. The adjustments cover Department of Local Affairs funding for firefighter heart and circulatory benefits and Department of Public Safety funding for first responder employer health trusts. The $150,000 cuts apply only when the corresponding firefighter benefit appropriations are included and large enough to cover the cuts. The $100,000 cut applies only when the first responder trust appropriation is included and large enough. These adjustments apply to the 2026–27 state budget only if that budget becomes law. They take effect on the later of this act's effective date or the budget's effective date.