A measure helping Oklahoma's firefighters access life-saving cancer screenings is moving to the governor's desk, and its House author is urging him to sign it.

House Bill 2011, known as the "Fighting Chance for Firefighters Act," would create a tax credit of up to $250 per year for unreimbursed medical costs incurred by firefighters for cancer detection procedures. The credit could begin in tax year 2026 and could be carried forward for up to five years.

The author of the bill, Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, said the tax credit would help firefighters catch cancer early, a needed step as they face higher diagnosis rates due to long-term smoke and chemical exposure.

"In March, Oklahomans saw our firefighters at their finest as they protected homes, lives and entire communities while battling relentless wildfires," Pae said. "House Bill 2011 is an opportunity to recognize that their service doesn’t end when the flames are extinguished; instead, the risks they carry linger for years in the form of long-term health impacts."

Cancer is the primary cause of death among active-duty firefighters. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has designated firefighting as a cancer-causing occupation because of repeated exposure to hazardous substances such as smoke, firefighting foams, diesel exhaust, flame retardants and toxic building materials. These carcinogens, along with others like formaldehyde, asbestos and cigarette smoke, significantly increase the risk of cancer in firefighters.

"Our firefighters have our backs in moments of crisis," Pae said. "It’s time we have theirs."

For tax year 2028 and subsequent tax years, the total amount of credits used to offset tax would be adjusted annually to limit the annual amount of credits to $1.5 million. The percentage adjustment formula would be $1.5 million divided by the credits claimed in the second preceding year.

The measure cleared its final hurdle on Thursday when Senate amendments to the bill were approved by the House 80-2. It now moves to the governor's desk.