An Act
ENROLLED SENATE
BILL NO. 958 By: Coleman of the Senate
and
Burns of the House
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;
authorizing the acquisition of certain certification
or license; providing for certain contract ;
authorizing response outside certain boundaries with
certain documentation; and providing an effective
date.
SUBJECT: Fire protection districts
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 maintain all necessary and
convenient engines, hoses, hose carts or othe r appliances and
supplies for the full equipment of a f ire company or department;
4. Appoint fire company officers and employees, sufficient to
maintain and operate the equipm ent owned by such district;
ENR. S. B. NO. 958 Page 2
5. Take by grant, purchase, condemnation, gift, dev ise or
lease, and to dispose of, real or personal prope rty 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 and
affairs;
7. Employ such officers and employees as may be required, 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 the board of directors, fill
vacancies and conduct board elections in the 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 attendan ce of
absent members in the manner and under penalties as the board may
prescribe; and
12. Do any and all other things necessary and p roper in the
management and operation of the district for the purpose of
protecting property within its boundaries from f ire.
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 f ire fighters of the
district in the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirem ent System.
The application for affiliation sha ll be submitted in accordance
ENR. S. B. NO. 958 Page 3
with subsection A of Section 49-105.2 of Title 11 of the Oklahoma
Statutes.
C. The Board of Director s may acquire a certification or
license to operate an emergency medical services agency from the
State Department of Health or contract for services with a c ertified
or licensed 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.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2021.
ENR. S. B. NO. 958 Page 4
Passed the Senate the 9th day of March, 2021.
Presiding Officer of the Senate
Passed the House of Representatives the 15th day of April, 2021.
Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Received by the Office of the Governor this _______ _____________
day of _________________ __, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _______________________________ __
Approved by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma th is _________
day of _________________ __, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
_________________________________
Governor of the State of Oklahoma
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Received by the Office of the Secretary of State this _______ ___
day of __________________, 20 _______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _______________________________ __