MS HB367

Amends Mississippi Code Section 17-23-1 to expand the Rural Fire Truck Acquisition Assistance Program administered by the Department of Insurance to allow counties and municipalities to apply for additional rounds of fire truck funding.

Increases maximum total assistance per county from $500,000 to $650,000, allowing eligible counties to receive up to eleven fire trucks instead of the previous limit, with initial trucks funded at $50,000 each and additional trucks at $70,000 each.

Establishes eligibility tiers based on number of trucks previously received, with counties that have received ten trucks eligible to apply for one additional truck at $70,000.

Requires counties and municipalities to pledge matching funds equal to at least one-tenth of requested assistance from local sources over a ten-year period, with municipalities needing contracts documenting fire protection in rural areas.

Takes effect July 1, 2011, with the Department of Insurance required to maintain distribution records and file reports to the Legislature on program expenditures and truck purchases.