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 support 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, which includes developing procedures for grant disbursement, maintaining oversight of expenditures, and implementing an appeals process for denied applications.
Additionally, the bill sets forth criteria for eligible applicants, including requirements for membership in a Certified Oklahoma Fire Department and completion of specific training hours. It mandates that grant awards be memorialized in a resolution and submitted to the Board for approval before any expenditures can occur. The bill also allows for the reallocation of unencumbered grant funds under certain conditions and stipulates that the act will take effect on November 1, 2025.