News / Upcoming Events
Fill-The-Boot
Legislation Successful
Aug 01, 2006
For the third time in 12 weeks, the PFFPNC was successful in passing legislation to benefit IAFF Locals in North Carolina. The latest legislation paves the way for IAFF Locals to conduct fill-the-boot drives on state highway and road right-of-ways inside municipalities. The boot drives help raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. On July 26, 2006, HB 1413 (with the PFFPNC amendment) was ratified by the North Carolina General Assembly.
Current state law, G.S. 20-175, forbids fill-the-boot activities on state right-of-ways even when they are inside the boundaries of a local government. In years past, IAFF Locals conducted fill-the-boot drives across the state on highway and road right-of-ways. The State always turned a blind eye to this type of activity.
In recent years, many cities and towns pointed to G.S. 20-175 as a liability and restricted fire fighters and paramedics from collecting money for MDA. Subsequently, the total amount of money raised dwindled. The PFFPNC asked that an amendment to overturn this General Statute be added to existing legislation.
All efforts to pass the legislation were an uphill climb from the start. Senate and House rules prohibited this type of new legislation from being considered during the short Session. Senator Martin L. Nesbitt, Jr. (D-Buncombe) introduced an enabling resolution to allow SB 2050 (The Bruce Stevens Solicitation Act) to be considered. The bill was named in honor of Bruce Stevens, a retired Charlotte fire fighter who has ALS. Both the resolution and SB 2050 were held by the Senate Rules Committee due to rule restrictions.
Senator Daniel G. Clodfelter (D-Mecklenburg) agreed to have the SB 2050 language attached to an existing bill which was eligible for consideration. The amendment language will give local governments authorization to issue a permit to an IAFF Local for fill-the-boot activities as long as the organization meets certain requirements, one of which is showing advance proof of a minimum of $2 million of liability insurance. The Insurance must provide coverage for claims against any local member participating in the boot drive and agree to hold the local government harmless. This insurance will be made available by MDA to all locals at no cost.
The legislation will
become effective December 1, 2006. IAFF Locals across the nation collected
over $22 million last year for research, therapy and vital equipment for
victims of neuromuscular diseases. The majority of money collected was through
fill-the-boot campaigns. This new law change will help locals in North Carolina
meet future challenges, especially the one between the IAFF’s 11th
and 12th Districts to collect the highest totals.
