SB10-021 Summary

• Defines "volunteer firefighter" as someone rendering service to a fire department without compensation and not classified as an employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.

• Specifies that "compensation" excludes actual expenses, reimbursed salary lost due to firefighting duties, pension fund benefits, federal emergency payments, and nominal per-call fees or recognition awards.

• Changes fire protection district board election requirements effective August 15, 2010 to allow election of two individuals from active fire department members, retired members, or retired members returned to active service, with voting rights extended to all members in each existing group.

• Removes the requirement that pension fund trustees hold fixed-income obligations representing at least 60 percent of total contributions.

• Becomes effective August 11, 2010, unless a referendum petition is filed, in which case it requires voter approval at the November 2010 general election.