HB 5391
Amending the Emergency Medical Services Retirement System.
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- Passed House of Delegates
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill, the EMS Retirement Equity, Tax Relief, and Workforce Support Act, amends the West Virginia Emergency Medical Services Retirement System (EMSRS). It changes the calculation of retirement benefits to base them on the five highest-earning years of a member’s career, exempts EMSRS pension income from West Virginia personal income tax, and removes a limit on the number of hours retired EMS personnel can work in designated areas of need. The bill also establishes a scholarship program for dependent children of deceased members.
Key provisions
- Changes retirement benefit calculation to use the five highest earning years.
- Exempts EMSRS pension income from West Virginia personal income tax.
- Removes the 1040-hour annual work limitation for retired EMS personnel returning to service in designated areas of need.
- Creates a scholarship program for dependent children of deceased EMS members.
- Defines ‘area of need’ for EMS personnel returning to work.
- Establishes a short title for the bill.
- Includes a severability clause.
- Sets an effective date of July 1, 2026.
Who is affected
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel
- West Virginia residents receiving EMSRS benefits
- Dependent children of deceased EMS members
- The West Virginia Emergency Medical Services Retirement System (EMSRS)
- Taxpayers in West Virginia
Notable changes
- The bill significantly alters the method for calculating retirement benefits, moving away from a previous system based on a limited number of years.
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