HB 939

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 45-11-271, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXTEND THE DATE OF THE REPEALER ON THE MISSISSIPPI LENGTH-OF-SERVICE AWARD PROGRAM (LOSAP) CREATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECRUITING AND RETAINING VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS; TO REQUIRE THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL AND THE MISSISSIPPI STATE RATING BUREAU TO ADHERE TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 83-3-24, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, AS IT RELATES TO RECOMMENDING AGE RESTRICTIONS FOR FIRE APPARATUS AND THE REQUIREMENTS OF NFPA 1900 AS IT RELATES TO FIRE APPARATUS SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE AND PUMP REQUIREMENTS; TO CREATE THE FIRE GRANT FUND AS A SPECIAL FUND IN THE STATE TREASURY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES WITH MEASURES AIMED AT IMPROVING FIRE SAFETY; TO REQUIRE ALL FUNDS FORMERLY CREDITED TO THE RURAL FIRE TRUCK FUND, THE RURAL FIRE TRUCK MATCHING ASSISTANCE FUND, THE SUPPLEMENTARY RURAL FIRE TRUCK FUND AND THE ANNUAL FIRE FUND TO BE PAID INTO THE FIRE GRANT FUND, AND TO REQUIRE THE TRANSFER OF BALANCES IN THOSE FUNDS TO THE FIRE GRANT FUND; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION TO ADMINISTER THE FUND; TO CREATE THE FIRE EQUIPMENT GRANT FUND AS A SPECIAL FUND IN THE STATE TREASURY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES BY PROVIDING FUNDS FOR FIRE SAFETY PROTECTION AND LIFE SAVING EQUIPMENT; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION TO ADMINISTER THE FUND; TO ESTABLISH THE FIRE GRANT COMMITTEE FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING NONBINDING ADVICE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION REGARDING THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE FIRE GRANT FUND AND THE FIRE EQUIPMENT GRANT FUND AND THE AUTHORIZING AND AWARDING OF GRANTS FROM THOSE FUNDS; TO REQUIRE THE COMMITTEE TO ADOPT A MECHANISM TO SCORE GRANT APPLICANTS; TO ESTABLISH DEADLINES FOR THE RECEIPT OF GRANT APPLICATIONS AND DETERMINATIONS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION; TO REPEAL SECTION 17-23-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH CREATES THE RURAL FIRE TRUCK ACQUISITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM; TO REPEAL SECTION 17-23-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH CREATES A SUPPLEMENTARY RURAL FIRE TRUCK ACQUISITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM; TO REPEAL SECTION 17-23-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH CREATES THE ANNUAL FIRE FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 83-34-4, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY TO THE PRECEDING PROVISIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.