HARRY HUGHES, Governor                                     1605

STATE FIRE, RESCUE, AND AMBULANCE FUND

45A.

IN THIS SUBTITLE, THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.

(1)  "COUNTY" INCLUDES BALTIMORE CITY.

(2)  "EXPENDITURES FOR FIRE PROTECTION" OR "EXPEND FOR
FIRE PROTECTION" MEANS COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL REVENUES APPROPRIATED
OR TO BE APPROPRIATED FOR FIRE PROTECTION AND THE PROCEEDS OF ANY
COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL BONDS USED TO FINANCE FACILITIES THAT HOUSE
FIRE PROTECTION APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT. IT EXCLUDES SALARIES,
WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION, FRINGE BENEFITS, OR OTHER PERSONNEL,
EXCEPT TRAINING, OR ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS. FOR FISCAL YEARS PRIOR
TO FISCAL YEAR 1986, IT INCLUDES GRANTS APPROPRIATED TO A
VOLUNTEER FIRE, RESCUE, OR AMBULANCE COMPANY FOR FIRE PROTECTION
THAT ARE NOT ITEMIZED.

(3)  "FIRE PROTECTION" INCLUDES RESCUE AND AMBULANCE
SERVICES.

(4)  "FUND" MEANS THE FIRE, RESCUE, AND AMBULANCE FUND
ESTABLISHED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE.

(5)  "QUALIFIED MUNICIPALITY" MEANS ANY INCORPORATED
CITY OR TOWN, EXCEPT BALTIMORE CITY, WITHIN THIS STATE WHOSE
EXPENDITURES FOR FIRE PROTECTION FROM MUNICIPAL SOURCES EXCEEDS
$25,000.

(6)  "SECRETARY" MEANS THE SECRETARY OF PUBLIC SAFETY
AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES.

45B.

(A)  A STATE FIRE, RESCUE, AND AMBULANCE FUND IS ESTABLISHED
TO PROMOTE:

(1)  THE DELIVERY OF EFFECTIVE AND HIGH QUALITY FIRE
PROTECTION, RESCUE, AND AMBULANCE SERVICES TO THE CITIZENS OF
THIS STATE;

(2)  INCREASED FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR FIRE, RESCUE, AND
AMBULANCE COMPANIES BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS; AND

(3)  THE CONTINUED FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF VOLUNTEER
FIRE, RESCUE, AND AMBULANCE COMPANIES GIVEN THE GREATLY INCREASED
COSTS OF APPARATUS AND OTHER TYPES OF EQUIPMENT.

(B)  (1) THE SECRETARY SHALL ADMINISTER THE FUND IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBTITLE AND OTHER APPLICABLE LAW.

(2) THE SECRETARY MAY ADOPT PROCEDURES FOR THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS SUBTITLE INCLUDING ADDITIONAL AUDITING AND