MS HB424

Department of Revenue shall annually credit $4,000,000 to the Rural Fire Truck Fund beginning in fiscal year 2017, funded from insurance premium taxes collected on fire insurance policies.

Counties may receive up to $650,000 total for fire trucks, with grants of $50,000 per truck for the first six trucks and $70,000 per truck for trucks seven through eleven.

Counties and municipalities must pledge matching funds equal to at least one-tenth of the requested grant amount, to be dedicated over a ten-year period from local ad valorem taxes or other available funds.

Fire trucks purchased must meet National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards in the 1900 series and be new vehicles only.

Department of Insurance shall maintain records of all distributions, notify eligible entities about the program, and file annual reports to the Legislature detailing fund usage by county and municipality.