Sen. Chip Curry bill to support volunteer first responders earns unanimous, bipartisan committee approval
AUGUSTA — On Wednesday, April 30, LD 786, a bill sponsored by Sen. Chip Curry, D-Belfast, to strengthen Maine’s support for volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel received unanimous, bipartisan support from the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.
“When someone dials 911 in a rural town, chances are the person showing up is a volunteer — someone who trained on their own time, put their community first and asked for nothing in return,” said Sen. Curry. “With this bill, we’re finally building a program that honors that selfless commitment and gives towns a better way to support the people who keep us safe.”
LD 786, “An Act to Promote Public Safety and Retain Essential First Responders by Converting the Maine Length of Service Award Program Fund to a Nonlapsing Fund,” focuses on improving the sustainability of the Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP), a retirement benefit for volunteer emergency responders who meet annual training and service requirements.
The bill, as amended by the committee, does not provide for any new funding. However, it would ensure that any unspent funds in the program would carry over from year to year rather than lapsing at the end of the fiscal year. This change would help LOSAP build a more stable reserve, provide long-term flexibility and reduce the pressure for large year-to-year appropriations.
LD 786 builds on efforts from previous sessions, including LD 588 from the 131st Legislature, also sponsored by Sen. Curry, which secured a one-time $500,000 allocation in 2023.
LD 1375 now faces votes in the Senate and House.
Sen. Curry represents District 11, which includes all of Waldo County.