Volunteer Emergency Services Recruitment and Retention Act of 2013

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation recognizing one of Colorado's most historically significant regions--the San Luis Valley.

It is no exaggeration to say that the unique history and culture of the region we commonly call `the Valley' is one of the richest in our state, region, and nation, particularly as an example of early Hispano and Latino settlement. As an avid student of history--like so many of my colleagues--I find that the more I learn and experience the stories, people, and places of the Valley, the more I want to learn.

First explored by Spanish Colonial expeditions in the 17th century, Hispano families from Northern New Mexico made many attempts at permanent settlement in this region, but weren't successful until the late 1840s, after the territory became part of Mexico. With the oldest town, San Luis, and the oldest water right, the People's Ditch, in Colorado, the San Luis Valley hosts some of the most intact Mexican territorial settlements in the Southwest. Many descendants of those original settlers continue to live in the region today.

But despite this incredibly rich history, millions of people visit Colorado every year who are not familiar with the San Luis Valley. The legislation I am introducing today would create the Sangre de Cristo National Historic Park, named for the stunning mountain range that forms the eastern border of the valley. The Sangre de Cristo National Historic Park would link together a series of historically significant sites throughout the valley--protecting and preserving them for future generations to experience and learn from.

Creating this park will help to tell the story of Colorado's earliest settlers.

Telling these stories and protecting these sites is important because of their intrinsic value to our history, culture and future generations. But they are also important to the economy as our state and country are emerging from the worst economy in a generation. The Sangre de Cristo National Historic Park could serve as an anchor for a regional tourism economy that can bring jobs to the entire San Luis Valley and Southern Colorado while recognizing and celebrating the Valley's rich and important history.

Over the last several years, I have held a series of town hall meetings in San Luis, La Jara and Alamosa to learn more about the recently created Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area and to hear the views of the local communities. I heard a great deal of support for the National Historic Park concept, and today marks an important step forward in the process of creating this meaningful, if overdue, park.

I look forward to working with stakeholders, local communities and my colleagues to move this legislation forward.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Volunteer Emergency Services Recruitment and Retention Act of 2013. This bill fixes a long-standing problem with the tax code that impedes the ability of volunteer fire departments to recruit and retain both firefighter and emergency service personnel.

For years, local and State governments have provided their volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel with different forms of benefits including Length of Service Award Plans, commonly known as LOSAPs. These are pension-like benefits for volunteer emergency responders.

Unfortunately, the way the tax code handles LOSAPs hinders departments' abilities to administer the plans and makes it more difficult for volunteer emergency personnel to receive the benefits.

My bill would simplify the taxation of LOSAPs in two steps. First, it would allow LOSAPs to be elected as deferred compensation plans, and second, it would exempt them from the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. These two changes will improve access to LOSAP benefits for volunteer emergency responders, without increasing federal spending.

Today, an estimated 180,000 volunteer firefighters across 27 states participate in some form of LOSAP. Many States that do not offer these benefits would be more likely to do so if the Federal tax code were simplified. This, in turn, would help volunteer fire departments to recruit more easily and retain personnel. These men and women, our local first responders, are the foundation of our emergency response capabilities.

These volunteers put their lives on the line to help protect our communities, and their spirit of selflessness and service should be rewarded. I am pleased to introduce this legislation with Senator Schumer, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this bill through the Senate and into law.

Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Volunteer Emergency Services Recruitment and Retention Act of 2013. This bill fixes a long-standing problem with the tax code that impedes the ability of volunteer fire departments to recruit and retain both firefighter and emergency service personnel.

For years, local and State governments have provided their volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel with different forms of benefits including Length of Service Award Plans, commonly known as LOSAPs. These are pension-like benefits for volunteer emergency responders.

Unfortunately, the way the tax code handles LOSAPs hinders departments' abilities to administer the plans and makes it more difficult for volunteer emergency personnel to receive the benefits.

My bill would simplify the taxation of LOSAPs in two steps. First, it would allow LOSAPs to be elected as deferred compensation plans, and second, it would exempt them from the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. These two changes will improve access to LOSAP benefits for volunteer emergency responders, without increasing federal spending.

Today, an estimated 180,000 volunteer firefighters across 27 states participate in some form of LOSAP. Many States that do not offer these benefits would be more likely to do so if the Federal tax code were simplified. This, in turn, would help volunteer fire departments to recruit more easily and retain personnel. These men and women, our local first responders, are the foundation of our emergency response capabilities.

These volunteers put their lives on the line to help protect our communities, and their spirit of selflessness and service should be rewarded. I am pleased to introduce this legislation with Senator Schumer, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this bill through the Senate and into law.