Bill Summary: HF2218

• Modifies financial statement certification requirements for volunteer firefighter relief associations, allowing certified public accountants or state auditor certification instead of requiring independent auditors.

• Exempts certain municipalities from detailed financial reporting requirements if they participate in the statewide lump-sum volunteer firefighter retirement plan (chapter 353G) or provide retirement coverage through the public employees police and fire retirement plan with employer contributions equal to or greater than fire state aid.

• Restricts international debt and emerging market equity investments for volunteer firefighter relief associations to not exceed 15 percent of the association's special fund market value.

• Clarifies that service pensions and ancillary benefits are governed by plan provisions in effect on the date a member separates from active service, with forfeited amounts remaining forfeited upon rehire.

• Allows relief associations with surplus funding to adopt benefit increases without municipal ratification up to specified thresholds, and updates references to reflect proper governance structures for independent nonprofit firefighting corporations.