AR SB457

Appropriates $200,000 from the General Improvement Fund to the Department of Rural Services for grants to rural fire departments, counties, municipalities, and other eligible entities for fire protection, search and rescue, emergency medical services, and emergency management programs.

Allows the Department of Rural Services to adopt new rules and regulations to carry out the appropriation without being restricted by requirements applicable to other programs.

Permits grantee institutions and agencies to supplement state funds with grants, donations, federal funds, and unobligated cash income, but prohibits using maintenance and general operations funds for these purposes.

Requires strict compliance with state purchasing, accounting, budgeting, and fiscal control laws unless specifically provided otherwise by law.

Declares the act an emergency effective July 1, 2011, stating that delayed implementation could cause irreparable harm to essential governmental programs.