(HB 1023)
Rural fire-fighting assistance and equipment from
the Department of Agriculture, scope of services revised.
Section
1.
That
§
34-31-6
be amended to read as follows:
34-31-6.
The
secretary of agriculture or his designee
Department of Agriculture
shall operate
a fire equipment shop to acquire and renovate equipment and distribute
fire equipment, supplies
and parts, that are not available through the Bureau of Administration, and
federal and state excess
vehicles and property to counties and
volunteer
rural
fire departments
or districts
for the
suppression of rural fires.
The department may charge recipients for reasonable direct and indirect
costs of providing such rural fire equipment, vehicles, and supplies to counties and rural fire
departments or districts. The department may administer federal and state cost assistance programs
related to such rural fire protection.
The vehicles and property may be provided with clear title by
the
division
department
to counties and
volunteer
rural
fire departments
or districts, or the title may
be retained by the state or federal government
.
Section
2.
That
§
34-31-8
be amended to read as follows:
34-31-8.
Notwithstanding the provisions of
§
5-23-2, the
secretary of agriculture or his
designee
Department of Agriculture
may purchase used motor vehicles and equipment at auctions
of federal and state surplus property, or from public and private utility companies, irrespective of
whether or not the sellers of
said
the
vehicles are licensed dealers as required by
§
5-23-2, for
distribution to fire departments
or districts
for fire suppression.
The department may charge
recipients for reasonable direct and indirect costs of providing such rural fire equipment, vehicles,
and supplies to counties and rural fire departments or districts. The department may administer
federal and state cost assistance programs related to such rural fire protection.
Section 3. That § 34-31-9 be repealed.