SCS/SB 787 - This act transfers one and one-half percent of the premium taxes collected from insurance companies to the Missouri Ambulance District Fund. The amount placed in the fund cannot exceed $1,500,000 in any fiscal year. This act establishes the Missouri Ambulance District Trust Fund whereby forty percent of the Ambulance District Fund is set aside for investment purposes. Moneys in the Ambulance District Fund are to be used to provide ambulance attendant training, equipment and to defray operational costs of each district. This act also creates the Missouri Ambulance District Commission within the Department of Health to approve expenditures from the fund.

This act also credits one and one-half percent of the premium taxes levied on insurance companies to the Fire Education Fund. Currently, three percent of the amount collected which exceeds the premium taxes deposited in 1997 are credited to the Fund. This portion of the act is similar to SB 739 (2000).

This act also creates a fire district equipment subaccount of the Fire Education Fund. Any amount over $500,000 generated by the one and one-half percent premium tax will be transferred to this subaccount. The moneys deposited in this subaccount may be used to provide grants to fire protection districts with a population of less than 10,000. This subaccount will be administered by the Department of Public Safety. Fire protection districts requesting money for equipment will have to apply to the Department for a grant.
DAVID TALLMAN