Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez introduced AB 1561- California Firefighters’ and Peace Officers’ Memorial Fund, a bill which will extend the sunset date of the voluntary California Firefighters Memorial Fund and California Peace Officers’ Memorial Fund state personal income tax check-offs.
“It is important that we continue to invest in a lasting tribute to the firefighters and police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our communities,” said Rodriguez. “Allowing these memorial fund check-off boxes to remain on income tax forms reassures the families of our fallen heroes that their loved ones are not forgotten.”
Current law provides individuals the option to contribute to the funds by voluntarily checking off boxes on their personal income tax forms. This bill will extend the sunset for this option to remain on these forms from January 1, 2016 to January 1, 2026. Both foundations are charged with funding ongoing maintenance and repair of their respective memorials at Capitol Park for the thousands who visit these beautiful monuments and who attend the annual memorial ceremonies to honor our hero firefighters and law enforcement officers.
“Extending these voluntary state income tax check-offs will ensure that these important tributes remain sacred ground to remember the sacrifices of California’s bravest and that their families are never forgotten,” said Lou Paulson, Chair of the California Fire Foundation. “We are grateful to Assemblymember Rodriguez for his support in carrying this legislation.”
AB 1561 would continue to allow these foundations to carry out the important goal of ensuring the memorial sites are maintained and our fallen officers can be remembered with gratitude and honor.
For more information on the memorial foundations, please visit the following links:
http://www.cafirefoundation.org/go/cff/california-firefighters-memorial/
http://camemorial.org/memorial_history.php