Bill > SB1865

This bill establishes the "rescue squad grant program" to provide annual funding to rescue squads, which are defined as departments of municipalities, counties, or political subdivisions, or nonprofit organizations that provide rescue services or other emergency response, for the purchase of firefighting equipment and rescue equipment, with "firefighting equipment" specifically excluding fire trucks or vehicles, and "rescue equipment" also excluding vehicles. The bill also creates a separate "volunteer firefighter equipment and training grant program" for recognized volunteer fire departments to purchase firefighting equipment or meet local matching requirements for federal grants. The Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance will be responsible for evaluating grant requests, selecting recipients, and disbursing the funds, with the intention that all appropriated funds are spent annually and any remaining funds do not revert to the general fund but are available for future years, and the bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.