A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning local government.
Summary
HB 1048 amends Indiana law governing volunteer fire departments by increasing the minimum annual allowances that a local unit must pay to active and participating volunteer firefighters, unless a contract provides otherwise. The bill raises both the clothing allowance and the automobile allowance from at least $100 per year to at least $250 per year for each eligible member. It also retains the existing authority for a contract to require the unit to pay membership fees for a volunteer firefighters’ association on behalf of firefighters.
The measure is a local government bill focused on compensation-related support for volunteer fire departments. Its practical effect is to require affected units of local government to spend more on volunteer firefighter reimbursements beginning July 1, 2026, thereby increasing the statutory floor for these allowances and potentially improving recruitment, retention, and out-of-pocket cost recovery for volunteers.
Impact
HB 1048 directly amends IC 36-8-12-5, the statute governing payments to members of volunteer fire departments. It increases the minimum clothing and automobile allowances from $100 to $250 annually, unless a contract sets different terms, and leaves intact the provision allowing payment of volunteer firefighters’ association membership fees by the unit. The bill affects local units served by volunteer fire departments and the active, participating members who receive these allowances.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad bipartisan support and little visible opposition. It passed the House 89-0, the Senate 47-0, and the House concurrence vote 91-0, indicating unanimous approval in both chambers and strong agreement that the allowances for volunteer firefighters should be increased.
Contention
No committee testimony or recorded debate was provided, and the voting record shows no opposition. The only likely policy consideration is fiscal: local units served by volunteer fire departments will face higher mandatory minimum payments, while supporters likely view the increase as a modest and justified adjustment to support volunteer firefighters who use their own clothing and vehicles in the line of duty.