North Dakota House Bill HB1129

North Dakota 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/3/23
• Refer: 1/3/23

Caption

Firefighters relief association, rural fire protection district, and rural ambulance service district audit fees; and to provide for retroactive application.

Impact

The implementation of HB 1129 is expected to have a significant impact on the financial and operational standards concerning rural firefighters and emergency service providers. By mandating the establishment of audit fees, the bill promotes not only fiscal responsibility and transparency among these organizations but also seeks to enhance public trust in their operations. By requiring audits, it can help ensure that funds are properly accounted for, ultimately benefiting the communities they serve by ensuring critical services remain well-funded and adequately supported.

Summary

House Bill 1129 addresses the audit fees associated with firefighters relief associations, rural fire protection districts, and rural ambulance service districts. The bill seeks to establish a regulated framework for these organizations to impose and manage audit fees, ensuring operational transparency and accountability. It is aimed at providing a standardized approach to audits, facilitating the effective functioning of these essential services within rural and firefighter communities.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support for its objectives of enhancing accountability, it may face challenges concerning the potential financial burdens that these audit fees could impose on smaller rural districts. Critics may argue that the fees could divert resources away from vital services, thereby affecting the operational capacity of rural fire protection and ambulance services. The balance between financial oversight and maintaining functional emergency services in rural areas is likely to be a point of contention as the bill progresses.