April 23, 2025

State Representative Brian Lanoue’s Volunteer Firefighter Stipend Proposal Passes Unanimously During Finance Committee Meeting on Tuesday

This article was archived from the previous WordPress site. Formatting and media should be close, but may not match the original post perfectly.

H.B. No. 7055 Tax Exempts the First $2,000 in Stipends for Volunteer Firefighters and EMS Personnel

HARTFORD- On Tuesday, the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee unanimously passed H.B. No. 7055, a bill that has been reintroduced by State Representative Brian Lanoue (R-45). The bill would exempt the first $2,000 in stipends for volunteer firefighters, fire police, and EMT personnel in Connecticut.

“Getting this bill through the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee was a huge hurdle for us and a very important step for this legislation,” said Rep. Brian Lanoue. “We had unanimous support in the Public Safety Committee for HB 7055, and we were met with the same enthusiasm in Finance. I want to thank Committee Chairs Sen. John Fonfara, and Rep. Maria Horn, along with their vice-chairs, and Ranking Members Sen. Ryan Fazio, and Rep. Joe Polletta. Representative Polletta was especially instrumental in advancing this important bill for our volunteer first responders through the Finance Committee.”

If passed, the bill would provide additional support to local volunteer fire departments that have experienced declining enrollment in recent years, despite the increasing demands placed on local volunteers. The bill aims to enhance recruitment and retention efforts, hoping to offer more incentives for individuals to serve their communities.

“Volunteer fire departments are a lifeline for communities across Connecticut and with recruitment dwindling, Rep. Lanoue’s proposal will make a real impact for those volunteers and the neighborhoods they serve. I am proud to support this in committee and look forward to it becoming law in the coming months,” Rep. Joe Polletta, Ranking Member on the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee, said.

The bill will now await further action on the House floor, with the peak of the 2025 Connecticut Legislative Session upcoming within the next few weeks.

The 2025 Connecticut Legislative Session adjourns on Wednesday, June 4th.

Griswold September 11th Ceremony

On Thursday evening, the community gathered at Griswold Elementary School’s 9/11 Memorial to honor and remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001. No matter how many years pass, that day—and the days that followed—will always remain etched in our hearts as one of the most challenging times for many of us as Americans. I […]

September 15, 2025

Rep. Lanoue Visits Lisbon Central School

Recently, I visited Lisbon Central School, and I want to extend a sincere thank you to the students of the Junior Honor Society for the wonderful tour. I’m also grateful to Superintendent of Schools Sally Keating, Principal Christopher Sheldon, Board of Education members Karen Barber, Judy Jencks, and Katie Weber-Vane, and all the staff, students, […]

September 12, 2025