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<section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="8-102" future_version_removed="true" title_number="8" title_name="Fire and Rescue Funds" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Senator William H. Amoss Fire, Rescue, and Ambulance Fund">
  <level label="a">
    <text>There is a Senator William H. Amoss Fire, Rescue, and Ambulance Fund.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>The purposes of the Fund are to promote:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>the delivery of effective and high quality fire protection, rescue, and ambulance services in the State;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>increased financial support for fire, rescue, and ambulance companies by counties; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>the continued financial viability of volunteer fire, rescue, and ambulance companies given the greatly increased costs of equipment.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Secretary shall administer the Fund.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, the Secretary may adopt procedures to carry out this subtitle, including additional auditing and reporting requirements.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The Secretary may not impose training or operational requirements as a precondition to receipt of money, except as otherwise expressly provided in this subtitle.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>The Fund consists of:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>revenue distributed to the Fund under § 16–609 of the Business Regulation Article.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <level label="1">
      <text>As authorized by the Secretary, the Treasurer shall make payments out of the Fund to each county on warrant of the Comptroller.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The Treasurer shall make the payments required under this subsection to the appropriate county on or about November 15.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <level label="1">
      <text>State money provided under this section may only be used to:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>acquire or rehabilitate fire or rescue equipment, including ambulances;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>acquire or rehabilitate capital equipment used in connection with fire or rescue equipment;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>rehabilitate facilities used primarily to house fire fighting equipment, ambulances, and rescue vehicles;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>install life safety and fire protection systems at a fire,  rescue, or ambulance facility;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>acquire land for the purpose of rehabilitation or construction of a fire, rescue, or ambulance facility;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vi">
        <text>acquire wireless telecommunications devices, computers, and related computer equipment if used exclusively for fire protection, rescue, and ambulance services; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vii">
        <text>acquire machinery and equipment if used exclusively for fire protection, rescue, and ambulance services.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>State money provided under this section may not be used:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>for administrative costs;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>for compensation or fringe benefits to employees or members of county governments, or fire, rescue, or ambulance companies;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>for travel or meal expenses;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>for fuel, utility, or routine maintenance costs of facilities or equipment;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>to acquire new or replacement fire hydrants or water mains;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vi">
        <text>for insurance;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vii">
        <text>for fund–raising activities;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="viii">
        <text>to replace or repair eligible items to the extent that insurance proceeds are available;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ix">
        <text>for costs associated with the “9–1–1” emergency telephone system; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="x">
        <text>for land or interests in land, except as provided in paragraph (1)(v) of this subsection.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="g">
    <text>Beginning in fiscal year 2026, the Governor shall include an annual appropriation to the Fund of at least $16,500,000.</text>
  </level>
</section>
