Harris Hill volunteers could join an association receiving insurance taxes

Eligible volunteers could join the Harris Hill Volunteer Fire Company Benevolent Association, a nonprofit group. Membership would cover current Harris Hill volunteers in Erie County and former volunteers who earned exempt firefighter status through service with the company. Paid firefighters could not join. Anyone removed for cause, expelled, or dropped from company rolls would need reinstatement before joining. Members leaving active volunteer service before completing five years would lose membership. The association and membership provisions would take effect immediately if the measure becomes law.

The association would receive designated fire insurance taxes and use them only for its stated purposes. Payments would cover fire insurance business in the part of Clarence served by Harris Hill and other organized territory where the company must provide fire protection. Allowed uses would include aid to members facing hardship and their families, member facilities and activities, and promotion of volunteer fire service. If enacted, the tax provisions would apply to taxes due on premiums received on or after January 1, 2027.