Bill > H2841

This bill establishes a new fund called the "Police Fire Safety Equipment Fund" to purchase fire suppression equipment for police vehicles, specifically to help prevent fires caused by rear-end collisions. To finance this fund, individuals convicted of operating a motor vehicle under the influence (OUI) of alcohol or drugs will face an additional $150 assessment. Of this amount, $125 will go directly into the new fund, while the remaining $25 will be deposited into the state's General Fund. The fund will be managed by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, and money will be distributed annually to state and local police departments based on their projected purchases of new cruisers. The bill also mandates that the administrative office of the trial court report on the funds collected to legislative committees and the victim and witness assistance board each year.