EXAM WAIVER FOR MILITARY FIREFIGHTERS                                            H.B. 4731 (S-1):

                                                                                                      FLOOR SUMMARY

House Bill 4731 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor:  Representative Ray A. Franz

House Committee:  Military and Veterans Affairs

Senate Committee:  Veterans, Military Affairs and Homeland Security

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Firefighters Training Council Act to allow the State Fire Marshal to waive firefighter examination requirements for a person who had completed firefighter training that met the State's standards while serving in the U.S. armed forces.

Under the Act, the State Fire Marshal, with the approval of the Firefighters Training Council, must develop and administer an examination to determine a person's competency in regard to the knowledge and skill requirements for firefighters.  The exam must be administered in two parts, based on the knowledge and skill requirements set forth in a national publication ("Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications", National Fire Protection Association Standard No. 1001). 

Within 12 months after a person is hired as a full-time firefighter, he or she must pass both Part 1 and Part 2 of the exam to be eligible for continued or permanent full-time employment as a firefighter.  Within 24 months after a person is appointed as a volunteer or paid on-call firefighter, he or she must pass Part 1 of the exam to be eligible for continued volunteer or paid on-call service as a firefighter.

Under the bill, the State Fire Marshal could waive the examination requirements for a veteran who served in and was honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces, upon verification that he or she completed firefighter training that met the standards described above while serving in the U.S. armed forces. 

The bill would take effect 90 days after its enactment.

MCL 29.369                                                            Legislative Analyst:  Patrick Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed:  10-16-13                                                    Fiscal Analyst:  Josh Sefton

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.