HARRISBURG – Legislation authored by Rep. Jerry Knowles (R-Berks/Carbon/Schuylkill) to eliminate a licensee surcharge only to national veterans’ organizations and volunteer fire companies passed the House unanimously in January and is before the Senate Law and Justice Committee for consideration.
“It is my hope that the committee will act on this bill when they return to session later this month,” said Knowles.
“This common-sense legislation is to lend a much-needed helping hand to our veterans and firefighters.”
House Bill 1048 would amend Act 39 of 2016 that requires a $700 renewal surcharge for all licenses that are renewed or validated on an annual basis.
Knowles’ bill is part of the House’s continued commitment to supporting first responders – the “helpers and heroes” of local communities.
The House is working to complete work on more than a dozen measurers designed to boost volunteerism, offer more flexibility in funding and assure better access to training.
“The number of volunteer responders is shrinking at an alarming rate,” said Knowles. “We owe it to them to do everything in our power to grow their ranks in order to ensure responders will always be there to answer the call.”
For more information about this legislation, or any other legislative topic, contact Knowles’ district office in Tamaqua at 570-668-1240, or in Hamburg at 610-562-3411.
Information can also be found online at RepKnowles.com or Facebook.com/RepKnowles.
