HCS SCS SB 968 -- FIRE PROTECTION

SPONSOR:  Green (Walsh)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Local Government by a vote of 13 to 0.  Voted "do pass - not
consent" by the Committee on Rules.

This substitute defines "fire department" as it relates to the
laws regarding the jurisdiction and duties of the State Fire
Marshal to include fire protection districts, municipal fire
departments, and volunteer fire protection associations.  Fire
departments must file a fire department registration form by
March 2, 2007; and the State Fire Marshal may issue each fire
department an identification number based upon the registration.
A volunteer fire protection association is required to identify
and register its boundaries, which cannot overlap another
department, with its county governing body.

The substitute also requires authorizing resolutions to be
adopted by the boards of all adjacent existing fire protection
districts before a new fire protection district can be created in
St. Louis County after January 1, 2007.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2007, FY 2008, and
FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that "fire department" is not
currently defined in statute.  It is important to do so in order
for a department to apply for federal grants and training funds.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Green; Division of Fire
Safety, Department of Public Safety; Monarch Fire Protection
District; West County EMS and Fire Protection District; Metro
West Fire Protection District; Creve Coeur Fire Protection
District; and Missouri Fire Service Alliance.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Julie Jinkens McNitt, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:47 am