Overview
- The Landtag in Wiesbaden approved an amendment raising the upper age for volunteer firefighters from 65 to 67.
- Participation is optional for eligible volunteers, in a state with about 2,400 volunteer brigades.
- Lawmakers also passed the Kommunale Flexibilisierungsgesetz (KommFlex), allowing municipalities to apply for up to four years of exemptions from certain state standards.
- CDU and SPD backed KommFlex, the Greens and FDP voted against it, and the AfD abstained, with opponents warning of new application burdens shifted onto councils.
- The package introduces options such as model municipalities, abolishes long-standing hearing committees, and allows shared county–municipal administrative authorities.