Firemen's benefits bill clears committee

The Senate Finance Committee voted Monday to support passage of a bill giving local governments the ability to increase their contribution toward volunteer firemen's retirement benefits.

Sen. Mike McGinness, R-Fallon, said volunteer firemen don't receive a wage but, for purposes of retirement contributions, they are assumed to receive a wage of up to $750 a month. Using that figure, the public body is required to pay the employee's share of retirement contributions while the volunteer is responsible for his or her own share.

McGinness said the purpose of the bill is to increase that maximum to $2,000 per month. But local governments that can't afford contributions at that level can set a lower amount.

The vote to recommend passage of the bill was unanimous.