Video & Transcript Research : 'firefighting'
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Service Mar 11th, 2026
Joint Committee on Public Service
Transcript Highlights:
- We have a firefighter, a long-term member of our fire department, that has to retire due to some health
- It is more of an administrative gap that we’re looking to fill in order to allow this firefighter to
- We’ve been unable to locate them, and we just wanted to seek this to support our firefighter and allow
- But just a quick synopsis: this firefighter is a 27-year veteran.
- And this is a decorated firefighter. I’m just trying to do the right thing for him.
Keywords:
retirement, teachers, service credit, superannuation, Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System, Petersham, police employment, age requirement, public service, retirement benefits, retirement age, special police officers, Kingston, public safety, law enforcement, pre-employment examinations, disability retirement, record maintenance, Peabody, local government
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Service Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Public Service
Transcript Highlights:
- We have a firefighter, a long-term member of our fire department, that has to retire due to some health
- allow this... ...more of an administrative gap that we're looking to fill in order to allow this firefighter
- We've been unable to locate them, and we just wanted to seek this to support our firefighter and allow
- But just a quick synopsis: this firefighter is a 27-year veteran.
- And this is a decorated firefighter. I'm just trying to do the right thing for him.
Summary:
The Public Service Committee heard testimony on a series of retirement, public safety, and personnel bills. House Bill 5054 would allow a public safety employee in Peabody to use an affidavit when pre-employment medical records are missing, so a firefighter’s disability/retirement application can proceed. Representative Tom Walsh, Mayor Ted Bettencourt, Fire Chief Thomas Griffin, Fire Chief Jay Dowling, and Senator Joan Lovely all supported the bill, describing it as a fix for an administrative gap that has delayed a 27-year firefighter’s retirement. No committee questions were raised.
The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 4698, which would authorize retirement benefits for Dale Kylie after a divorce altered the original beneficiary arrangement tied to his retirement option. Representative Donald Potham said the retirement board could not make the change without legislation. House Bill 3900 would raise the maximum age for Kingston special police officers to 70, with Representative Kathy LaNatra citing staffing shortages and unmanned details. House Bill 5159 would grant credible service to educator Sarah Shebelli for two years she worked as a paraprofessional at a charter school; she said the additional service would help her retire despite a degenerative eye disease.
The committee then listed several other bills with no additional testimony, including measures involving continued employment or retirement issues for police officers in Pelham, New Bedford, Petersham, and Dayton, a retirement benefit transfer for a Massachusetts Maritime Academy professor, and a sick leave bank for a Department of Corrections employee. After confirming there was no further testimony, the committee voted to adjourn.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Local Government Mar 4th, 2026
Local Government, Elections and Pensions
Transcript Highlights:
- I serve as the vice president of the Cape Girardeau Firefighters Association, Local 1084.
- For more than 1,200 days, the firefighters at Cape Girardeau have been working without a contract.
- If House Bill 3283 had been law when our negotiations began, Cape Girardeau firefighters would not be
- Firefighters in Cape Girardeau remain committed to serving our state.
- This bill will give firefighters, paramedics, and dispatchers throughout the state the legal backing
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bills 2161, 1830, and 1728 together. Those bills would revise the appointment structure for the St. Charles City-County Library Board so that the four most populous cities in St. Charles County, based on the most recent census, would each appoint one trustee, while the county governing body would continue appointing five members. Sponsors said the change simply codifies an existing informal practice and does not change the board’s total size. St. Charles County supported the measure, and there was no opposition testimony.
The committee then heard House Bills 3283 and 3306, which were described as identical bills creating timelines and procedures for collective bargaining between public employers and labor organizations. The bills would require bargaining to begin within set timeframes, move unresolved disputes to mediation after 180 days, then to arbitration if mediation fails, and make arbitration decisions binding. Supporters, including labor representatives, firefighters, police, and some local officials, said the bills would curb delay tactics, reduce litigation costs, improve morale and retention, and provide clear rules when contracts expire. Several witnesses described long-running disputes in places such as Cape Girardeau, Robertson Fire Protection District, Richmond Heights, and Brentwood as examples of why deadlines and enforceable procedures are needed.
Opponents, led by the Missouri Municipal League, argued that binding arbitration would shift final fiscal authority away from locally elected officials and could limit cities’ ability to respond to budget stress or emergencies. They said the timeline provisions had merit but wanted alternatives to arbitration that would preserve local control and taxpayer accountability. Committee members questioned how good-faith bargaining would be enforced, how arbitrators would weigh municipal budgets, and whether the bills could affect police, fire, and other public employees. No votes were taken, and both public hearings were completed before the committee adjourned.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- I actually saw at one point, and let me be honest about it, a volunteer firefighter was at a home maybe
- , he jumped on one of the volunteer firefighters.
- was at a home a volunteer firefighters was at a home maybe<00:13:06.120><c> 6:00</c><00:13:06.480><c
- ,</c><00:13:19.720><c> he</c> help the volunteer firefighters, he help the volunteer firefighters, he
- His parents came to tell firefighters.
Keywords:
SB293, Lee County, solid waste, waste collection fees, garbage fees, trash collection, county commission, fee exemption, low-income households, poverty level, federal poverty level, public sanitation, local act, municipal services, waste management, first responder, interference, criminal law, public safety, law enforcement
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government & Tribal Relations Jan 20th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
State Government & Tribal Relations
Transcript Highlights:
- within the Washington State Patrol, is responsible for providing training and certification for firefighters
- is required to conduct and submit to the legislature an evaluation of the compensation of these firefighting
- The Washington State Patrol is responsible for providing training and certification for firefighters,
- agencies within Washington. be competitive with local firefighting agencies within Washington.
- Deputy State Fire Marshals inspect child care facilities, train firefighters in advanced techniques,
Keywords:
conflict of interest, transparency, state employees, municipal officers, ethics, fire safety, state fire marshals, regulation, public safety, emergency services, HB 2249, Washington Technology Solutions, WaTech, civil service, classified service, exempt employees, state employment, state personnel, network security, cybersecurity
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Select Committee on Pension Policy Jul 15th, 2025
Select Committee on Pension Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I would just like to say, in reference to the person who testified for the firefighters, I've been on
- We had a very good, open relationship, and I haven't heard from any firefighters for a very, very, very
- I don't, I did not catch her name, but I did speak to the woman who testified on behalf of the firefighters
- So if that is, you know, a huge concern, you know, we encourage those folks to... of the firefighters
- We had a very good, open relationship, and I haven't heard from any firefighters for a very, very, very
Summary:
The Select Committee on Pension Policy Executive Committee approved the June minutes and received a brief update from Assistant Attorney General Jesse Yoder, who had no litigation updates but offered to answer questions. Actuary Michael Harbour then previewed the September full committee meeting, which will include a report on the financial condition of the DRS-administered pension plans and the state actuary’s recommended economic assumptions. He also cautioned that any actuarial pricing done over the summer could change if assumptions are updated, and suggested taking votes on potential legislation later in the interim, possibly in November or December.
A discussion followed about the Left 1 benefit improvement and where the funding came from. Harbour said the benefit tied to SSB 5791 (2022) was paid from the Left 1 trust fund, while a separate Left 2 benefit improvement was in SHB 1701, and he agreed to double-check the issue with DRS after members raised conflicting information. Members then discussed the broader Left 1 study, including whether IRS approval is a key barrier and whether options are limited to merger or closure. Several members asked to hear from Ice Miller, which has been advising on the tax issues, and staff said the committee should receive a written response in the next couple of weeks and could have Ice Miller appear in October.
The committee reviewed and adjusted its interim work plan. September will include the actuarial presentations, a more detailed Left 1 study update, and a presentation on PERS and TERS Plan 1 COLAs, including a recap of the bill recommended this year and initial considerations for an ad hoc COLA. October is expected to include DRS administrative and performance updates, with November reserved for the State Investment Board update and a final Left 1 study update, and December may include an educational presentation on excess compensation. Members also requested a future briefing on the month-of-death benefit discussion. The September agenda was adopted, correspondence materials were noted, and the meeting adjourned.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services (01/28/2025)
Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
Transcript Highlights:
- We, as the Professional Firefighters of New Hampshire, have what we call the Fallen Firefighters Family
- We, as the Professional Firefighters of New Hampshire, have what we call the Fallen Firefighters Family
- firefighters Union or another firefighters Union or another Association<02:04:16.520><c> maybe</c><02
- </c> employee reached out or a firefighter employee reached out or a firefighter reached<02:06:13.559
- A Firefighter retired as Lieutenant I'm A Firefighter retired as Lieutenant I'm now<02:25:21.439><c>
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session-Day 13, February 24, 2026-PM
Wyoming Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> wildland firefighters. wildland firefighters. um<00:31:44.399><c> they</c><00:31:44.799><c> tend
- </c> qualified wildland firefighters. qualified wildland firefighters.
- </c> the full-time wildland firefighter the full-time wildland firefighter employees<00:32:27.919><c>
- </c> Wyoming National Guard firefighter plan. Wyoming National Guard firefighter plan.
- for their wildland firefighters, and also the appropriation will fund wildland firefighters working
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee Mar 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Doug Zuber, on behalf of the California Professional Firefighters. We were opposed unless amended.
- Zuber is on behalf of the California Professional Firefighters. We were opposed unless amended.
- And our professional firefighters are stating that they have concerns about the safety.
- California firefighters, I understand the safety issue. I really do. I get that.
- I do want to hear from the professional firefighters.
Summary:
The committee first heard SB 868, the Plug and Play Solar Act, which would streamline approval for portable plug-in solar devices for homes and apartments. The author and supporters argued the bill would help renters and other Californians lower electric bills, expand access to solar, and create statewide safety standards through UL certification and the National Electrical Code. Opponents, including electrical workers, firefighters, utilities, and PG&E, raised concerns about shock, fire, backfeeding, older electrical systems, and the bill bypassing the California Electrical Code and Building Standards Commission process. After extended discussion and testimony from UL, the author agreed to add California Electrical Code language, and several opponents indicated they would move to neutral; the committee then passed the bill out as amended to the Senate Judiciary Committee on a roll call vote.
The committee then took up SB 886, which would establish rules for large data centers to prevent electricity cost shifts to other ratepayers. The author and supporters said rapid data center growth could drive major grid costs and that the bill would require data centers to pay for their own infrastructure, participate in demand response, and secure new zero-carbon resources. Supporters included environmental and consumer groups, while opponents such as the Data Center Coalition, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, utilities, and business groups argued the bill was unnecessary, could duplicate CPUC proceedings, and might impose operationally risky mandates, especially around demand response and backup power. Committee staff described amendments narrowing the bill to large data centers, clarifying tariff and cost-allocation provisions, replacing behind-the-meter storage with a pre-funded long-term clean energy contract, and exempting certain public and critical facilities; the discussion continued with questions about cost responsibility, clean energy targets, and peak-load management.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee Mar 17th, 2026
Energy, Utilities and Communications
Transcript Highlights:
- Doug Zuber, on behalf of the California Professional Firefighters. We were opposed unless amended.
- Zuber is on behalf of the California Professional Firefighters. We were opposed unless amended.
- And our professional firefighters are stating that they have concerns about the safety.
- California firefighters, I understand the safety issue. I really do. I get that.
- I do want to hear from the professional firefighters.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Expanding exceptions to gift-giving ban 2/23/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Firefighters were told they could not participate due to the concerns about the gift ban statute.
- </c><00:03:37.280><c> Firefighters</c> they could not participate.
- Firefighters they could not participate.
- </c><00:04:59.440><c> is</c> health retreat, if a firefighter is health retreat, if a firefighter is
- squad cars and firefighters on their rigs. rigs. rigs.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Mar 30th, 2026
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- the day: an act exempting Stephen Justice from the maximum age requirement for the position of firefighter
- the bill: An act exempting Stephen Justice from the maximum age requirement for the position of firefighter
- of the day: an act exempting Javier Vargas from the maximum age requirement for the position of firefighter
- of the bill: An act exempting Javier Vargas from the maximum age requirement for the position of firefighter
- the orders of the day: an act exempting Brittany Spruill from the maximum age requirement for firefighters
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Health and Public Affairs Feb 16th, 2026 at 02:54 pm
Senate Health & Public Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a firefighter paramedic and I'm here with the New Mexico Professional Firefighters Association.
- My name is Miguel Tipman, the president of Mexico Professional Firefighters.
- I've also seen multiple times firefighters not be covered, including for lung cancer.
- The burden of proof is on me to prove that the cancer is linked to firefighting.
- Something every firefighter in the country, as well as my oncologist, confirms.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Health Committee Jun 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm pleased to author SB 989, which is sponsored by the California Professional Firefighters.
- I'm pleased to author SB 989, which is sponsored by the California Professional Firefighters.
- Megan Suber on behalf of the California Professional Firefighters in support.
- Megan Suber is on behalf of the California Professional Firefighters in support.
- Megan Supers, on behalf of the California Professional Firefighters, in support.
Summary:
The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills focused on mental health access, preventive care, health care costs, detention oversight, and daylight saving time. SB 989 would streamline Care Court referrals by allowing first responders to ask county behavioral health agencies to review and file petitions; supporters, especially firefighters and families, said the current process is too burdensome, while Disability Rights California and other opponents argued Care Court is coercive and unproven. SB 1089, as amended, would direct CalRx/HHS to help distribute GLP-1 medications more broadly and more affordably; the author described her own experience with the drugs, and the bill drew support from medical and life sciences groups with no opposition. SB 1309 would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for medically appropriate lung cancer screening follow-up care; cancer advocates and survivors strongly supported it, while health plans and insurers opposed it as costly and said the bigger problem is low initial screening rates. The committee also heard SB 1284, which would require DHCS to report large employers whose workers are enrolled in Medi-Cal and estimate taxpayer costs, framed by supporters as a transparency measure about corporate reliance on public coverage. SCR 7, urging permanent standard time for health reasons, passed with support from medical groups and no opposition. SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, would create statewide inspection and enforcement standards for large involuntary residential facilities, including private immigration detention centers and certain youth facilities; supporters cited unsafe and inhumane conditions, while county probation officials objected to duplicative oversight for secure youth treatment facilities. The committee took votes on each measure, and the bills and resolution advanced, with SB 1309 and SB 1284 moving on amended and the others also reported out; the consent calendar was approved as well.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Public Employment and Retirement Committee Apr 2nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Megan Supers, on behalf of the California Professional Firefighters, in support.
- We appreciate that a former firefighter is carrying it, and we ask for your support.
- We appreciate that a former firefighter is carrying it, and we ask for your support.
- The firefighters did an incredible job in L.A. County.
- And I didn't know you were a firefighter. Don't tell anybody.
Summary:
The committee heard several labor and employment measures. AB 465 would require local public employers, at a union’s request, to negotiate minimum disciplinary and grievance procedures in MOUs, including progressive discipline, just-cause protections, grievance appeal rights, and paid release time for representatives. Supporters, including AFSCME and SEIU, said it would create fairer and more consistent due process protections for local government workers; opponents from county and city groups argued it would impose binding arbitration and rigid discipline rules that could undermine local flexibility and accountability. The bill passed on a 5-0 vote and was re-referred to Appropriations.
AB 792 would allow court interpreter bargaining to be consolidated when multiple regions are negotiating at the same time. The author and the California Federation of Interpreters said the change would reduce repeated bargaining, improve efficiency, and help address interpreter recruitment and retention. There was no opposition, but some members questioned whether the proposal would really solve wage and staffing problems; the bill passed 5-0 and was placed on hold. AB 1309, which would improve Cal Fire firefighter compensation by tying salaries more closely to comparable local fire departments, drew strong support from firefighters and no opposition. Members praised Cal Fire’s work and the bill passed 7-0 and was held for add-ons.
The committee also approved AJR 8, a resolution urging protection of Social Security and opposing federal cuts or office closures. Supporters said Social Security is essential to seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and children, and warned that reductions would increase poverty and homelessness. One member objected to naming political figures in the resolution, but the measure still passed 7-0 and was held. AB 1247, which would require contracted-out school classified workers to meet the same training and qualification standards as direct hires and address related retirement contributions, passed 5-2 despite opposition from county superintendents and school administrators who said it would add costs and limit contracting flexibility. Finally, AB 288, which would authorize PERB to act when the NLRB fails to remedy labor claims by a deadline, passed 6-0 with strong union support and no opposition.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 15 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 3132, providing volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians with a local option
- Bill 4582, directing the City of Boston Fire Department to waive the maximum age requirement for firefighter
- The House Bill, providing volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians with local option
- An act providing volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians with a local option real estate
- An act directing the City of Boston Fire Department to waive the maximum age requirement for firefighters
Summary:
The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several committee reports and procedural motions. The Committee on Rules recommended adoption of two resolutions: one recognizing the 100th anniversary of Ayrhill Farms in Adams and another congratulating Fiona White on earning the Girl Scouts’ Gold Award. The House suspended the rules and adopted both resolutions. The House also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow a petition concerning a board overseeing occupancy payments for manufactured housing community accommodations in Attleboro to be sent to the Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government.
The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reported a slate of bills for House consideration, including measures on banking and credit union law, a local option real estate tax exemption for volunteer firefighters and EMTs, electronic filing of property valuation forms, delivery of property tax bills, notification of deceased animals on state highways, a Boston Fire Department age waiver for firefighter Fustiano’s Katayakis, and validation of Bourne’s May 20, 2025 annual election. The House suspended Rule 7A, took second readings on these bills, and ordered them to a third reading.
The House then considered several bills released from the Committee on Bills in Third Reading. It passed to be engrossed House Bill 4185, relating to the nomination process for town meeting candidates in Milford; House Bill 4374, designating an overpass in Sandwich as the U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant Raymond G. Torval Veteran Memorial Overpass; House Bill 4391, waiving the Boston Police Department maximum age requirement for Alex J. Rodriguez; and House Bill 4753, relative to the charter of the town of Westwood. The House adopted an order to adjourn to meet Tuesday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned to that time in informal session.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 15 Feb 12th, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 3132, providing volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians with a local option
- Bill 4582, directing the City of Boston Fire Department to waive the maximum age requirement for firefighter
- The House Bill, providing volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians with local option
- An act providing volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians with a local option real estate
- An act directing the City of Boston Fire Department to waive the maximum age requirement for firefighters
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Mar 12th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Washington House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The members of the pension plan themselves, the law enforcement officers and firefighters, contributed
- And also The pension plan themselves, the law enforcement officers and firefighters contributed, and
- And yes, this focuses on taking away pension money from law enforcement officers and firefighters.
- responders, firefighters and police officers.
- Speaker, the average life of a firefighter or a police officer after retirement is substantially less
Keywords:
behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 31 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- act exempting Stephen Justice from the maximum age requirement for appointment to the position of firefighter
- House 2986, an act exempting Javier Vargas from the minimum age requirement for the position of firefighter
- House 2987, an act exempting Brittany Spruill from the maximum age requirement for the position of firefighter
- An act authorizing Kenneth Navarro to take the civil service examination for the position of firefighter
- An act authorizing William Rob Cargill to take the civil service examination for the position of firefighter
Summary:
The House began with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several routine matters. The Committee on Rules recommended adoption of resolutions honoring William B. O’Leary on his 100th birthday, congratulating Ethan Ho on earning Eagle Scout rank, and celebrating the 150th anniversary of St. Paul’s Church of Palmer. The House suspended the rules and adopted the resolutions. It also concurred with a Senate referral of a petition concerning retirement benefits for Alec Simonello to the Committee on Public Service.
The House then considered local bills reported by the Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling, including measures concerning an excise on parking space transfers in Salem, expanded senior property tax abatements in Auburn, a means-tested senior property tax exemption in Sudbury, and land acquisition/disposition in Falmouth. After suspending Rule 7A, the House gave these bills second and third readings and ordered them to a third reading. The chamber also passed to enactment several engrossed bills, including firefighter and police age-exemption bills for Haverhill, a Williamsburg board-name change to select board, a Sandwich overpass memorial designation, and a Chicopee charter change to gender-neutral language.
The House then acted on additional third-reading bills, passing to enactment a bill allowing Kenneth Navarro to take the Haverhill firefighter exam despite the maximum age requirement, and passing to engrossment bills for William Rob Cargill’s firefighter exam eligibility and special meetings of the Holyoke City Council. On Senate Bill 1859, concerning retirement for Walter L. Gerton, Representative Walsh offered and the House adopted an amendment substituting text from House Document 5331, after which the bill was passed to engrossment as amended. Finally, the House adopted an order to meet the following Monday at 11 a.m. and adjourned to that time in informal session.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Service Jan 27th, 2026
Joint Committee on Public Service
Transcript Highlights:
- public service, I've witnessed firsthand the sacrifices made by individuals who pursue a career in firefighting
- public service, I've witnessed firsthand the sacrifices made by individuals who pursue a career in firefighting
- Currently, we have nine Salem police officers and eight firefighters who are receiving credit.
- Currently, we have nine Salem police officers and eight firefighters who are receiving... police officers
- and eight firefighters who are receiving credit.
Keywords:
police, firefighters, retirement, civil service, credible service, public safety, H4890, Quincy, Quincy Retirement Board, public safety personnel, accidental disability retirement, Chapter 32, Section 94, Section 94A, Section 94B, pre-employment physical examination, medical records, retirement benefits, disability retirement, public employees
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Service held its 18th hearing of the 194th General Court and heard testimony on bills related to public employee retirement and creditable service. The chair reviewed hearing procedures, including a three-minute limit for speakers and a February 3, 2026 deadline for written testimony. Committee members present included Chair Ryan, Vice Chair Higgins, Ranking Member DeCoste, Senator Keenan, Senator Montigny, and Chair Brady online.
Michael Armano, a Lawrence Fire Department captain, testified in support of legislation sponsored by Senator Paviano to establish creditable service for eligible police officers and firefighters who were bypassed or delayed in hiring because of administrative error or other improper issues. He argued that affected candidates lose time, income, and retirement credit, and said the bill would allow them to buy back the service time they should have earned without affecting the rights or seniority of current employees.
Senator Joan Lovely testified on House 4909, which would require the Salem Retirement Board to grant creditable service without member payment for prior reserve, permanent, intermittent, or call service for certain Salem police officers and firefighters who joined the retirement system on or before February 11, 2020. She said the measure has support from the Salem Retirement Board, the mayor, and the city council. No committee questions were raised, no votes were taken, and the hearing concluded with a motion to adjourn.