ACTION NEED TO SUPPORT VOLUNTEER DRIVERS

MN Representative Zack Stephenson (DFL-36A)

Labor Elders and Allies,

The Minnesota Legislature is well underway. Not surprisingly, many bills are being introduced and only a limited number will become law. The Minneapolis Regional Retiree Council, AFL-CIO, has identified this issue that is important to many of our elders and volunteers who help assist elders.

WE NEED ACTION, BY YOU, TODAY!

The Issue:
Each week, communities across Minnesota are losing volunteer drivers that assist elders and those in need with essenatial transportation and deliveries. Not-for-profit and public transportation providers report it is increasingly difficult to recruit and retain volunteer drivers due to two major factors:

1.      Auto insurance carriers that are increasing insurance rates on volunteer drivers, and some are treating them more like “for-hire” drivers; and

2.      Volunteer drivers needing to pay income tax on any mileage reimbursement over the low IRS .14 cents/mile and if their total annual reimbursement exceeds $600 they must be issued and file a 1099.


The fix:
We are asking Minnesota Representative Zack Stephenson (DFL - 36A), The Chair of the House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee, for your support for two bills this session to address the most significant threats to the viability of volunteer driver programs:  

1) HR 586 as amended authored by Representative Murphy and SF748 authored by Senator Jasinski that seeks to clarify, by creating a definition, that volunteer drivers are NOT “for-hire” carriers, we hope this helps keep a lid on volunteers' insurance premiums.  

2) A bill that will be introduced to create a state income tax subtraction to lessen the unfair tax liability and limits faced by volunteer drivers for receiving mileage reimbursement that exceeds the federal charitable rate.
What you can do:

Please sign the petition, which will be delivered to Rep. Stephenson. You can see the message that will be delivered to Rep. Stevenson. You can edit it as you like. We would encourage you to add any personal experience with the issue that you, or someone you know, has had regarding this issue.

Visit www.volunteerdrivermn.org to learn more about this important issue and see the 80 organizations that support this effort.


Sponsored by
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Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation
Minneapolis, MN

To: MN Representative Zack Stephenson (DFL-36A)
From: [Your Name]

Dear Representative Stephenson,

I write today as an elder requesting your support for legislation to help volunteer drivers in our district. Each day, generous people in our community provide a vital service to help older adults and others who do not drive to stay safe and independent as they get to medical appointments, shop for household goods, and conduct essential business in our area. In the 2021 Legislative Session, you can make a difference in keeping these essential rides available.

We are asking for your support for two bills this session to address the most significant threats to the viability of volunteer driver programs:

1) HR 586 as amended authored by Representative Murphy and SF748 authored by Senator Jasinski that seeks to clarify, by creating a definition, that volunteer drivers are NOT “for-hire” carriers, we hope this helps keep a lid on volunteers' insurance premiums.

2) A bill that will be introduced to create a state income tax subtraction to lessen the unfair tax liability and limits faced by volunteer drivers for receiving mileage reimbursement that exceeds the federal charitable rate.

Each week, communities across Minnesota are losing volunteer drivers. Not-for-profit and public transportation providers report it is increasingly difficult to recruit and retain volunteer drivers due to two major factors:

1. Auto insurance carriers that are increasing insurance rates on volunteer drivers, and some are treating them more like “for-hire” drivers; and

2. Volunteer drivers needing to pay income tax on any mileage reimbursement over the low IRS .14 cents/mile and if their total annual reimbursement exceeds $600 they must be issued and file a 1099.

A recent survey of volunteer drivers conducted by Minnesota’s Volunteer Driver Coalition shows that 25% experienced negative consequences related to insurance companies trying to classify them as “commercial” or “drivers for-hire.” Organizations these drivers worked with served 76,779 people in 2018, driving more than 9.5 million miles. We cannot afford to lose any of the 1,878 volunteer drivers who helped older adults and adults with disabilities. Certainly, we do not want to keep penalizing them financially. Rather, we must now support volunteer drivers and help increase their numbers to meet the needs of a rapidly growing older population.

This year, at a time when our community is struggling to survive safely, we urge you to support for volunteer driver legislation and I welcome you to visit www.volunteerdrivermn.org to learn more about this important issue and see the 80 organizations that support this effort.