ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 4745

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JANUARY 7, 2021

      The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4745 (1R).

      This bill would increase, from 45 to 57, the age by which a firefighter is required to join the fire service to establish eligibility for the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association and for an exempt fireman certificate.  In addition, the bill allows the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen’s Association to determine the percentage of service necessary to issue an exempt fireman certificate. 

      Under current law, a firefighter is required to join the fire service between the ages of 18 and 45 in order to be eligible for an exempt fireman certificate.  The amended bill increases the maximum age at which a firefighter is eligible for an exempt certificate to 57 years old. 

      Current law also provides that exempt fireman certificates are issued to eligible firefighters who have responded to at least 60 percent of their department’s fire duty calls over a seven-year period. The amended bill would allow the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen’s Association to determine after January 1, 2020 the percentage of fire duty calls to which a firefighter is required to respond in order to receive an exempt fireman certificate. 

      The bill would take effect immediately and be retroactive to January 1, 2020.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      This bill is not certified as requiring a fiscal note.