SCS/SB 376 - This act creates the Fire Safety Fund which receives forty percent (40%) of the funds that are transferred to General Revenue from the Unclaimed Property Account. Twenty percent (20%) of the Fire Safety Fund will be used to fund a Statewide Fire Safety Program. The remainder of the money will provide grants for fire departments with revenue of less than $10,000, fire protection districts with revenue of less than $10,000 and volunteer fire protection associations serving an area with a population of less than 10,000.

This act also allows a fire protection district which provides emergency services or services to a redevelopment project in a redevelopment area to impose a sales tax for fire protection and allows property taxes to be reduced. The decrease in property taxes within the district will be equal to fifty percent (50%) of the total revenue collected the preceding year from the sales tax.

This tax provision will allow fire protection districts that have a tax increment financing (TIF) area within the district to receive a portion of revenue from a sales tax and a portion from property taxes.
JULIA SOMMER GRUS