SB 259 - This act transfers 5/10 of 1 percent of the premium taxes collected from insurance companies to the Fire Education Fund. The amount placed in the fund cannot exceed $1,500,000 in each fiscal year.

This act establishes the Fire District Equipment Fund as a subaccount of the Fire Education Fund. This subaccount will be funded with 25% of the money transferred into the Fire Education Fund. Moneys in the Fire District Equipment Fund are to be used to assist fire departments earning less than ten thousand dollars in revenue per year, fire protection districts earning less than ten thousand dollars per year and volunteer fire protection associations serving an area having a population of less than ten thousand. The Missouri Fire Education Commission and the Division of Fire Safety will approve spending from the subaccount. The Division of Fire Safety has rulemaking authority.

Fire departments, fire protection districts, and volunteer fire protection associations, must comply with Section 320.271, RSMo, in order to be considered for any funds from the Fire Education Fund or Fire District Equipment Fund. Section 320.271 requires fire departments, fire protection districts, and volunteer fire protection associations to annually file with the State Fire Marshall their name and address.

This bill is similar to CCS/SCS/HB 1292 (2000).
JULIA SOMMER GRUS