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SCS/SB 815 - This act modifies funding for fire protection. The Fire Safety Fund is created and will consist of any monies remaining in the Fire Education Fund. The fund will be invested by the state treasurer in a manner provided by law. The Fire Safety Fund will receive annual transfers of .5% of the amount of premium taxes collected. The Fire Safety Fund will be divided such that 40% of the money will go to the fire department grants fund and 20% of the money will be spent on fire education programs. The remaining funds will be used at the discretion of the Missouri Fire Safety Commission and will be used to fund the five fire consultants. No more than 5% of the fund may be used for administrative purposes.

The Fire Safety Commission is created. The members will include the State Fire Marshall, the State Forester and five members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent to the Senate. No more than half of the members shall be from a single political party and no more than one member shall be from a single Congressional district. A maximum of five FTE fire consultants will be employed by the Division of Fire Safety and work in regions across the state as determined by the Commission. The fire consultants will work with local fire departments to improve fire protection. Funding for the fire consultants will come from the Fire Safety Fund.

The Fire Safety Grants Fund is established and will consist of 40% of the transfers made to the Fire Safety Fund. Grants may be made from this account to fund requests for fire departments, associations or districts serving an area with a population of less than 10,000. The Fire Safety Commission shall administer the grant program and is authorized to promulgate rules to implement the grant program.

CINDY KADLEC