HB 1402 Summary

• Amends the Rural Fire Protection Program Fund Act to update references to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry and modify coordinator requirements for examining financial assistance applications.

• Requires coordinators to certify eligible participants (incorporated cities under 10,000 population, towns, and legally formed rural fire departments) on or before June 30 each year and establishes electronic transfer of funds for distribution.

• Deletes requirement specifying how financial assistance must be expended and removes restriction preventing accumulation of funds, while maintaining allowed uses for fire station maintenance, apparatus, hydrants, and insurance.

• Establishes matching grant program for eligible fire protection entities with preferential matching requirements available for those with higher Insurance Service Organization rates or critical circumstances.

• Establishes 11 rural fire protection coordination districts composed of specified Oklahoma counties and becomes effective November 1, 2015.