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.
Impact
The establishment of the Fire Grant Fund is designed to assist municipalities and counties in enhancing fire safety initiatives. It consolidates various funds previously designated for rural fire truck assistance into a single fund, simplifying the allocation of resources towards improving fire protection services. Additionally, the Fire Equipment Grant Fund will support local governments in acquiring essential fire safety equipment, thus ensuring that communities are better equipped to handle emergencies.
Summary
House Bill 939 aims to amend the Mississippi Code to extend the repealer on the Mississippi Length-of-Service Award Program (LOSAP) for volunteer firefighters and to establish two new special funds: the Fire Grant Fund and the Fire Equipment Grant Fund. The primary purpose of LOSAP is to recruit and retain volunteer firefighters by providing them with paid length-of-service awards. This amendment emphasizes the significance of volunteer firefighters in local communities and the need to support them in their service roles.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding HB 939 appears to be predominantly positive, particularly among stakeholders who advocate for enhanced fire safety measures and support for volunteer firefighters. The creation of grant funds is seen as a proactive step that addresses the needs of local fire departments and enables them to better serve their communities. However, concerns may arise regarding the administration of these funds and the effectiveness of the scoring mechanism for grant applications, which could affect the equitable distribution of resources.
Contention
One point of contention surrounding HB 939 includes the potential bureaucratic complexities involved in administering the new grant systems. Critics may argue that there is a risk of funds not being appropriately allocated due to the subjective nature of the scoring system established for grant applications. Furthermore, the repeal of several existing fire fund programs raises questions about how their previous functions will be adequately replaced by the new system.