Municipal and county fire funds; increase funds transferred to by DOR from the collection of certain taxes.
Impact
The proposed changes would influence state laws by mandating a higher percentage of insurance premium tax revenues to be allocated specifically for fire protection funding. These funds are essential for municipalities to maintain and enhance fire services, train personnel, and purchase necessary equipment. Furthermore, the stipulation that each municipality must levy a tax of at least one-fourth mill to support fire service funding illustrates a legislative intent to strengthen local fire departments, which would likely improve response capabilities to fires and emergencies.
Summary
Senate Bill 2839 aims to amend specific sections of the Mississippi Code to increase funding for the Municipal Fire Protection Fund and the County Volunteer Fire Department Fund. The bill proposes that the Department of Revenue will increase its annual payment to these funds significantly, raising the payment for the Municipal Fire Protection Fund from $4.85 million to $7.5 million, and similarly for the County Volunteer Fire Department Fund. This increase is expected to provide more financial resources to municipalities and counties to bolster fire protection services across the state.
Contention
While the bill aims to enhance fire protection services, there could be points of contention regarding how these funds are utilized at the local level. Concerns may arise around the equitable distribution of funds among municipalities, particularly smaller communities that may struggle to meet tax obligations or are less populated. Additionally, the requirement for municipalities to report their taxation status could place administrative burdens on local governments, potentially raising concerns about the efficiency of fund usage.
Insurance; revise the Rural Fire Truck Matching Assistance Program, the MS First Responders Health and Safety Act and the Municipal and County Fire Funds.