HB1471 Summary

• Appropriates $1,000,000 to the Department of Rural Services from the General Improvement Fund for grants to fire departments, counties, municipalities, and other eligible entities.

• Funds may be used for fire protection, operating costs, construction, improvements, equipment, renovation, and maintenance of public buildings, community centers, memorials, parks, amphitheaters, recreation centers, and cemeteries.

• Appropriations are not restricted by requirements applicable to other programs currently administered by the department.

• Requires strict compliance with State Purchasing Law, General Accounting and Budgetary Procedures Law, Revenue Stabilization Law, and other applicable fiscal control laws during fund disbursement.

• Effective July 1, 2015, with emergency clause declared due to constitutional restrictions on multi-year appropriations and essential need for agency operations.