Bill
Bill > SB80
summary
Introduced
12/26/2025
12/26/2025
In Committee
02/04/2026
02/04/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Virginia Fire Personnel and Equipment Grant Program established; report. Establishes the Virginia Fire Personnel and Equipment Grant Program (the Program) for the purpose of awarding grants to localities to hire additional firefighters and to improve their firefighting and emergency medical services. The bill specifies that the Department of Fire Programs (the Department) shall administer the Program and two types of grants shall be made from the Program. The first shall provide grants to localities to increase the number of firefighters. Such grants shall be made for up to three years and shall be used by localities for programs to (i) hire new, additional full-time firefighters; (ii) convert part-time or volunteer firefighters to full-time firefighters; or (iii) recruit and retain volunteer firefighters. The second shall award grants to localities for improving firefighting and emergency medical services, including by acquiring firefighting and emergency medical services vehicles and equipment and modifying facilities. For both grants, the bill provides that funds shall not be used to supplant any funds currently provided by the Commonwealth or by the locality and shall be used to increase the total amount of funds available for the provision of firefighting or emergency medical services. The bill requires the Department to submit a report annually, beginning November 1, 2027, to the Governor and the General Assembly containing a list of grants, the amount of each approved grant, information on the performance assessment system that the bill directs the Department to create, an evaluation of each grant based on such system, and any other criteria deemed relevant by the Department.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Virginia Fire Personnel and Equipment Grant Program, administered by the Department of Fire Programs, to provide financial support to localities for improving firefighting and emergency medical services. The program offers two types of competitive grants: one focused on increasing firefighter personnel and another targeting equipment and facility improvements. For personnel grants, localities can receive funding to hire new full-time firefighters, convert part-time or volunteer firefighters to full-time positions, or recruit and retain volunteer firefighters. At least 50% of personnel grant funds must be allocated to departments with majority volunteer staffing. Equipment grants can be used to acquire vehicles, personal protective gear, medical equipment, and modify facilities. Both grant types require localities to demonstrate financial need and have provisions to prevent fund substitution, ensuring grants increase overall funding for fire services. Grant recipients must provide matching funds (15% for equipment grants) and can be subject to funding revocation if they do not comply with grant requirements. The Department of Fire Programs must develop performance metrics to evaluate grant effectiveness and submit an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly starting in November 2027, detailing grant recipients, amounts, and performance assessments.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Justice
Sponsors (9)
Tammy Brankley Mulchi (R)*,
Luther Cifers (R),
Creigh Deeds (D),
J.D. Diggs (R),
Travis Hackworth (R),
Emily Jordan (R),
Christie New Craig (R),
Mark Peake (R),
Thomas Wright (R),
Last Action
Continued to next session in Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 5-N) (on 02/11/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB80 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB80) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1086429.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB80/text/SB80 |
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