Bill > SB1865

This bill establishes a new "rescue squad grant program" to provide annual funding to rescue squads, which are defined as departments of local governments or nonprofit organizations that provide rescue services or other emergency response, for the purchase of firefighting equipment and rescue equipment, with vehicles explicitly excluded from the definition of equipment. The bill also amends an existing program to provide grants to volunteer fire departments, defined as those recognized by the state fire marshal's office, for the purchase of firefighting equipment and training, and to meet local matching requirements for federal grants. The Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance will be responsible for creating rules to evaluate grant requests, selecting recipients for both programs, and awarding the grants, with the intention that all appropriated funds are used annually and any unspent funds carry over to the next fiscal year. This legislation aims to support these vital emergency services by ensuring they have the necessary equipment and training, with a specific provision to divide grant funds equally among the three grand divisions of Tennessee for the volunteer firefighter program.

Business and Industry

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB1865&ga=114