The proposed bill, if enacted, would amend current statutes to prohibit municipalities from reducing the annual operating budget of their fire departments below the previous year's budget. Specifically, it would require municipalities to notify the state treasurer if they do reduce the budget, leading to the withholding of state-shared funds equivalent to the budget reduction until the budget is restored. Additionally, the bill clarifies that these requirements do not apply if a municipality lacks the necessary funds to maintain the previous year's budget.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a definition for "fire department" as a municipal fire department and makes technical adjustments to existing statutes regarding the distribution of state funds. It also specifies that the state treasurer must continue withholding funds until notified of the budget restoration, while ensuring that any amounts necessary for debt service on prior obligations are exempt from withholding. Overall, the bill aims to secure funding for fire departments by preventing budget cuts and establishing a mechanism for accountability.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 9-500.52, 42-5029, 43-206, 35-146, 35-147, 42-1116, 42-5014, 42-5070, 42-5010, 42-5155, 42-5010.01, 42-5061, 42-5164, 42-5205, 42-1118, 42-1254, 42-5030, 42-5030.01, 42-5031, 42-5032, 42-5032.01, 42-5032.02, 49-282, 17-273, 15-2084, 15-1648, 15-1472, 42-5031.01, 15-971, 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2005-2006, 15-154, 15-154.01, 15-241, 43-1072.01, 15-977, 41-2257, 41-2258, 42-5033, 42-5033.01, 42-6010, 9-626, 41-194.01, 15-1402, 15-1403, 15-1409
House Engrossed Version: 9-500.52, 42-5029, 43-206, 35-146, 35-147, 42-1116, 42-5014, 42-5070, 42-5010, 42-5155, 42-5010.01, 42-5061, 42-5164, 42-5205, 42-1118, 42-1254, 42-5030, 42-5030.01, 42-5031, 42-5032, 42-5032.01, 42-5032.02, 49-282, 17-273, 15-2084, 15-1648, 15-1472, 42-5031.01, 15-971, 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2005-2006, 15-154, 15-154.01, 15-241, 43-1072.01, 15-977, 41-2257, 41-2258, 42-5033, 42-5033.01, 42-6010, 9-626, 41-194.01, 15-1402, 15-1403, 15-1409