Req. No. 1300 Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 STATE OF OKLAHOMA 1st Session of the 58th Legislature (2021) SENATE BILL 958 By: Coleman AS INTRODUCED An Act relating to fire protection districts ; amending 19 O.S. 2011, Section 901.7 , which relates to the powers and duties of the direct ors; providing for the possession of a certification or license to operate an emergency medical services agency ; allowing contracting for a certified or licensed emergency medical services agency ; requiring certain documentation for operating outside of jurisdiction; and providing an effective date . BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 19 O.S. 2011, Section 901.7, is amended to read as follows: Section 901.7. A. The board of dir ectors shall have the power and duty to: 1. Manage and conduct the business affairs of such district; 2. Make and execute all necessary contracts; 3. Purchase or lease -purchase and maintai n all necessary and convenient engines, hoses, hose carts or othe r appliances and supplies for the full equipment of a fir e company or department; Req. No. 1300 Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 4. Appoint fire company officers and e mployees, sufficient to maintain and operate the equipment owned by su ch district; 5. Take by grant, purchase, condemnation, gift, dev ise or lease, and to dispose of, real or personal propert y of every kind necessary for the operation of the district; 6. Construct or otherwise acquire suitable firehouses and other buildings or structures suitable for the housing of equipment and supplies of the district, or for carrying on its own business an d affairs; 7. Employ such officers and employees as may be requ ired, fix their compensation and prescribe their duties; 8. Establish rules and regulations for the district and for the prevention of fires and conflagrations within the district and for the protection of property at and during any fire; 9. Prepare an annual budget and follow existing laws pertaining to the budget process such as public notices, public hearings, protest periods and fil ing requirements in the same manner as they apply to other forms of government in Oklahoma; 10. Determine vacancies of t he board of directors, fill vacancies and conduct board elections in t he event of a vacancy on the board of directors; 11. Develop bylaws for the due and orderly administration of the affairs of the board of directors and for its responsibilities specified pursuant to this chapter, and may compel the attendance of Req. No. 1300 Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 absent members in the manner and under penalties as the board may prescribe; and 12. Do any and all other things necessary and pro per in the management and operation of the district for the purp ose of protecting property within its boundaries from fire ; and 13. Acquire a certification or license to operate an emergency medical services agency from the Oklahoma Sta te Department of Health or contract for services with a certified or license d emergency medical service agency. The district’s emergency medical service agency may respond outside of the district boundaries; provided, that the political subdivisions having jurisdiction over the area provide to the Department proper documentation of their suppo rt. B. A fire protection district, created pur suant to this chapter, shall be deemed a political subdivision of this state. Th e board may submit an application to include the fire fighters of the district in the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retireme nt System. The application for affiliation sha ll be submitted in accordance with subsection A of Section 49 -105.2 of Title 11 of the Oklahoma Statutes. SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2021. 58-1-1300 MR 1/21/2021 7:09:41 PM