HCS/SB 297 - This act makes several changes to the laws concerning fire and emergency dispatch services.

POWERS OF THE BOARD - In addition to the current powers of the board, the board may fix fees, $100 minimum to $500 maximum, for the use of fire district equipment and personnel by non- residents.

CENTRAL FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES BOARD - This act makes two changes in section 321.243, RSMo, for the Central Fire and Emergency Services Board in St. Charles County. The definition of St. Charles County is rewritten according to population figures. The election required to establish the initial board shall not be in April of 1995, but shall be before December of 1996.

FIRE PROTECTION SALES TAX - Upon voter approval, the governing body of any fire protection district with boundaries identical to a city with a population between 30,000 and 35,000 may impose a sales tax in an amount up to 1/4 of 1%. The Director of Revenue shall collect the sales tax and shall deposit the funds in the "Fire Protection District Sales Tax Trust Fund", which is hereby created.

FIRE EDUCATION FUND - This act would require 3% of the amount which exceeds the amount deposited in general revenue the previous fiscal year from the premium taxes levied on insurance companies, up to a maximum of $1.5M, be transferred to the "Fire Education Fund".

The "Missouri Fire Education Trust Fund" is established, and will be administered by a Board of Trustees consisting of the State Treasurer, two members from the Senate, two members from the House and two members to be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Fire Education Fund will transfer 40% of the amount the fund receives to the Missouri Fire Education Trust Fund.

The remaining amounts in the Fire Education Fund shall be distributed to the University of Missouri Fire & Rescue Training Institute. The Institute shall use the money to provide training and continuing education to firefighters in this state. The "Missouri Fire Education Commission" is established in the Division of Fire Safety within the Department of Public Safety, to determine which programs and activities qualify as recipients of funds expended by the Fire Education Fund.

This section is similar to SB 416.

PUBLIC SAFETY SALES TAX - This act provides for the collection of sales taxes by municipalities of the third class, to be used only for public safety related expenses. A sample ballot of submission is provided. The Director of Revenue shall collect the sales tax and shall deposit the funds in the "City Public Safety Sales Tax Trust Fund", which is hereby created.

This section has an emergency clause. This section is similar to SB 153.

Portions of this bill are similar or identical to SCS/HCS/HB 452, et al. See also Truly Agreed To CCS/SS#2/HCS/HBs 484, 199 & 72.
TOM CRAWFORD