Bi-Weekly Update

• Congress Passes Fiscal Year 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Bill; Increases Funding for FIRE Grants and SAFER
• Congress Approves Legislation to Protect Incentives for Volunteer Firefighters
• Happy Holidays from CFSI

Congress Passes Fiscal Year 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Bill; Increases Funding for FIRE Grants and SAFER

On Wednesday, December 19th, the House of Representatives approved H.R. 2674, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008.  The legislation is a substitute amendment to the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriation Act and is an omnibus spending package containing the eleven Fiscal Year 2008 appropriations bills Congress had not passed earlier in the year.  The spending package includes funding for the Department of Homeland Security, including the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (FIRE Grant). 

 
Several programs of significance to the fire service, including the FIRE Grant and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant, received increases beyond the appropriated levels of previous years.  Congress also rebuffed the Administration’s proposed cuts to these programs by funding them at levels significantly above the President’s budget proposal. 

Congress appropriated $560 million for the FIRE Grant program—a $13 million increase over the Fiscal Year 2007 appropriation and nearly double the Administration’s $300 million request.  The SAFER Grant is funded at $190 million.  In Fiscal Year 2007, SAFER was funded at $115 million.  The Administration recommended eliminating the program in the President’s Fiscal Year 2008 budget proposal. 

The spending package will now be sent to the White House for the President’s signature.  The President is expected to approve the measure. 

Congress Approves Legislation to Protect Incentives for Volunteer Firefighters

On Wednesday, December 18th, Congress passed legislation to provide volunteer firefighters limited protection from taxation by the federal government.  The provisions were included as part of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 (H.R. 3648).  Specifically, this legislation contains a provision excluding from taxable income any property tax benefit for volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel.  The legislation also allows volunteer firefighters to receive as much as $360 annually in other benefits without being subject to federal taxation.  These provisions contain a sunset clause, meaning they will expire in 2010. 
                                                                                                                                                      
The provisions in the bill are based on the Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act, legislation introduced by Senator Christopher Dodd (CT) and Congressman John Larson (CT-1).  H.R. 3648 has been sent to the White House for the President’s approval. 

Happy Holidays from CFSI

The entire staff of CFSI extends our warmest holiday greetings to our friends and supporters. Thank you for making 2007 a year of progress for CFSI. We look forward to serving you in 2008—our 20th year. Best wishes to you and yours during this season of celebration. Have a safe and happy holiday!