HARRY HUGHES, Governor

4111

Volunteer Fire Fighters and Rescue Squadmen -
Emergency Assistance Trust Fund

FOR the purpose of improving fire, rescue, and ambulance service
in this State by reauthorizing the Emergency Assistance
Trust Fund; authorizing use of the Trust Fund under certain
conditions when a volunteer company must comply with certain
State or federal regulatory requirements; providing that
Trust Funds not obligated at the end of a fiscal year do not
revert to the General Treasury and that loan repayments may
be used to fund new requests for financial assistance from
the Trust Fund; requiring certain documentation to be
provided by volunteer companies that have received financial

assistance from the Trust Fund rather than financial

statements; requiring a certain evaluation by the Department
of Budget and Fiscal Planning; providing a certain
limitation on the amount of certain appropriated funds that
may be used by the Maryland State Firemen's Association for
certain purposes; and generally relating to the Emergency
Trust Fund Program.

BY repealing

Chapter 239 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 1982
Section 5

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,

Article 38A - Fires and Investigations

Section 46A(b)

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1982 Replacement Volume and 1983 Supplement)

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article 38A - Fires and Investigations
Section 46A(a)(l) and (b), 46B, and 46C(b)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1982 Replacement Volume and 1983 Supplement)

Preamble

WHEREAS, Throughout Maryland's history, volunteer fire,
rescue, and ambulance companies have been a very important
provider of fire and emergency services to the citizens of the
State and, by saving lives and protecting property, have saved
the taxpayer substantial dollars that would otherwise have to be
expended by government directly for these services; and

WHEREAS, By Chapter 239 of the Acts of 1982, the General
Assembly, in recognition of the escalating cost of fire and
rescue services and the disparities in level of support provided