SACRAMENTO
– Assembly Bills 1519 and 1954, two pieces of George Runner sponsored
legislation relating to the Fire Prevention Fee, will have their first
committee hearings Monday.
AB 1519,
authored by Assemblyman Donnelly
(R-Twin Peaks), would eliminate the burdensome penalty placed on
taxpayers who appeal their Fire Prevention Fee bill and are denied.
Under current law, taxpayers who unsuccessfully appeal their Fire
Prevention Fee bills are charged an egregious 20% monthly
penalty if they fail to pay within 30 days, even if the taxpayer has
agreed to an installment payment arrangement.
AB 1954,
authored by Assemblywoman Harkey
(R-Dana Point), would give taxpayers an additional, unbiased, level of
protection by allowing them to appeal their Fire Prevention Fee bills to
the Board of Equalization if they are denied by CAL-FIRE.
“The
confusing and controversial fire fee is tax policy at its worst,” said
George Runner. “It should be eliminated entirely, but until then AB 1519
and AB 1954 are helpful
steps to provide some relief from this burdensome tax.”
AB
1519 will be heard in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee, while
AB 1954 will be heard in the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee.
Both hearings begin at 1:30 p.m.
George
Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a taxpayer
advocate and elected member of the State Board of Equalization. For more
information, visit
boe.ca.gov/Runner or
calfirefee.com.
