SPONSOR: Caton
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs by a vote of 13 to 0.
This bill allows the board of directors of a fire protection district to distribute surplus or unneeded supplies or property to volunteer fire protection associations, to other fire protection districts, to fire departments, to eligible donees for the federal surplus property program, and to nonprofit organizations and public service corporations that provide training to fire departments, EMTs, or police officers.
The bill also allows these boards to sell surplus or unneeded supplies or property by public auction, sealed bid.
Donations must not be made to board members, officers, or employees of the fire protection district, or their relatives, or an entity of which any such person is a board member. Sales to the same individuals must not be made except by an online auction on a platform approved by the Office of Administration.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this is an ethics bill intended to allow the sale and donation of surplus supplies while ensuring those supplies aren't disposed of in the wrong way. This ensures a fair process for the general public to bid on items, and stops loopholes from existing district by district across the State and causing public property to go toward private gain. This bill is important to maintaining public trust.
Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Caton; Arnie Dienoff; and Robertson Fire Protection District.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: