Missoula County opposes HB 421: Provide pension benefits for volunteer emergency care providers, heard this morning in the House State Administration Committee.
While the creation of a pension program for volunteer EMS personnel is sorely needed, the legislature must find another funding source. To utilize 911 funds for such a program could put the entire state of Montana 911 program funding in jeopardy. Diverting 911 funds to support pension programs is not an allowable use of 911 funds, which are generated solely for the operations of 911 systems. While this bill makes funding these pension programs permissible at the local level, the concern remains that this legislation will be seen as diverting 911 funds by the Federal Communications Commission and makes the state subject to forfeiture of funding. 911 centers across the state of Montana currently do not receive adequate funding to support 911 operations and can ill afford any additional cuts to essential funding.
Sent Feb. 22:
ReplyDeleteRepresentative Whitman,
Missoula County opposes HB 421: Provide pension benefits for volunteer emergency care providers, heard this morning in the House State Administration Committee.
While the creation of a pension program for volunteer EMS personnel is sorely needed, the legislature must find another funding source. To utilize 911 funds for such a program could put the entire state of Montana 911 program funding in jeopardy. Diverting 911 funds to support pension programs is not an allowable use of 911 funds, which are generated solely for the operations of 911 systems. While this bill makes funding these pension programs permissible at the local level, the concern remains that this legislation will be seen as diverting 911 funds by the Federal Communications Commission and makes the state subject to forfeiture of funding. 911 centers across the state of Montana currently do not receive adequate funding to support 911 operations and can ill afford any additional cuts to essential funding.
Please oppose HB 421.