AN ACT to establish a study committee to study ways to incentivize the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Establishment. – The Committee shall be chaired by the Commissioner of the Department of Insurance and consist of eight additional members, appointed as follows:

(1)        Two members from the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal.

(2)        Two members from the Labor and Economic Analysis Division of the Department of Commerce.

(3)        Two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives as follows:

a.         One volunteer firefighter.

b.         One volunteer fire chief.

(4)        Two members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate as follows:

a.         One volunteer firefighter.

b.         One volunteer fire chief.

SECTION 2.  Duties. – The Committee shall study and make recommendations on ways to incentivize the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters.

SECTION 3.  Report. – The Committee shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the 2024 Regular Session of the 2023 General Assembly upon its convening.

SECTION 4.  This act is effective when it becomes law.