HARRY HUGHES, Governor                                     4113

GENERAL FUND AND SHALL BE CARRIED OVER FOR USE IN THE NEXT FISCAL
YEAR. AMOUNTS RECEIVED AS REPAYMENTS ON LOANS FROM THE EMERGENCY
ASSISTANCE TRUST FUND SHALL BE PLACED IN THE TRUST FUND AND MADE
AVAILABLE TO FUND REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

(b) The Board of Public Works may award either a grant or a
loan or a combination of both from the Emergency Assistance Trust
Fund after a favorable recommendation from the Department of
Budget and Fiscal Planning if:

(1)  An act of God or other unforeseen event has
substantially impaired the ability of a volunteer fire company or
rescue squad to provide adequate and safe service; or

(2)  The volunteer fire company or rescue squad is
unable to maintain the minimum level of performance for adequate
and safe service established by standards of the Maryland State
Firemen's Association OR ANY STATE OR FEDERAL REGULATORY AGENCY
because of a demonstrated lack of financial resources; and

(3)  The Department of Budget and Fiscal Planning and
the volunteer fire company or rescue squad receiving assistance
have executed an agreement which provides that trust funds will
be used as represented in the request for approval to the Board
of Public Works and which grants to the State such security in
the equipment or facilities acquired with trust funds and in the
proceeds of that equipment or those facilities as is determined
by the Board to be appropriate and adequate.

46B.

After consultation with the Maryland State Firemen's
Association, the Governor is authorized to include the amount in
the State budget each year to be appropriated to and administered
by the Maryland State Firemen's Association for the following
purposes:

(a)  To formulate, publish, and distribute the fire laws of
Maryland;

(b)  To formulate, publish, and distribute an annual report
and monthly or other timely bulletins and reports;

(c)  To publish and distribute fire prevention literature;

(d)  To keep records relating to the annual inspections of
fire and rescue apparatus, equipment, and facilities; and

(e)  To establish and maintain a data base on manpower
availability and training, operational cost, apparatus
availability, response time, STATE AND LOCAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT,
and other relevant factors in providing fire and rescue services.

46C.