The proposed bill establishes the "Rural Volunteer Firefighter Clothing Allowance Grants Act," aimed at enhancing the safety of Oklahomans and fire service personnel by providing monetary grants to alleviate costs associated with clothing for rural volunteer firefighters. It creates the Oklahoma Firefighter Clothing Allowance Revolving Fund, which will be a continuous fund sourced from various appropriations and donations. The bill outlines the responsibilities of the Oklahoma State Board of Agriculture in developing procedures for grant disbursement, application processes, and oversight of fund utilization, ensuring that grants are used exclusively for approved purposes.
Additionally, the bill sets forth criteria for eligible applicants, including requirements for membership in a Certified Oklahoma Fire Department, response rates, and training completion. It mandates that grant awards be processed and distributed by specific deadlines and allows for the reallocation of unencumbered funds if an eligible applicant is unavailable. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2025, and emphasizes the importance of compliance with established procedures to maintain funding eligibility.