SB14-046 Summary

• Creates the Local Firefighter Safety and Disease Prevention Fund in the state treasury to provide need-based grants to governing bodies for firefighter safety equipment, training, and disease prevention.

• Transfers $3.25 million annually from mineral leasing fund moneys to the new fund for two fiscal years beginning July 1, 2012 and July 1, 2013, with the transfer authority repealing July 1, 2017.

• Authorizes the Division of Fire Prevention and Control to award grants covering up to 3% of fund administration costs, with a merit-based peer-review process including representatives from Colorado State Fire Chiefs, Colorado Professional Fire Fighters Association, and Colorado State Fire Fighters Association.

• Requires the advisory board to consider fire service needs assessments conducted at least every other year and governing bodies' existing efforts to finance firefighter safety when awarding grants.

• Specifies that grants are in addition to, not replacement for, other funding sources for firefighting operations.