ENTITLED An Act to make an appropriation to support volunteer fire departments and to declare an emergency.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota:

Section 1. There is hereby appropriated from the general fund the sum of $5,000,000 to the Department of Public Safety, for the purpose of providing grants to support volunteer fire departments in this state.

Section 2. The grants resulting from the appropriation provided in section 1 of this Act may only be used for the purpose of purchasing individual firefighter safety equipment.

Section 3. For purposes of this Act, individual safety equipment is limited to any personal protective equipment worn and used by firefighters in the performance of their duties, including helmets, flash hoods, masks, coats, pants, gloves, boots, breathing apparatuses, spare tanks, and other personal gear that may be required by individual volunteer fire departments.

Section 4. The secretary of the Department of Public Safety shall approve vouchers submitted by the South Dakota Firefighter Association, and the state auditor shall draw warrants to pay expenditures authorized by this Act.

Section 5. For the purposes of this Act, volunteer fire department means any fire department within this state whose membership is comprised of at least seventy percent unpaid and volunteer firefighters.

Section 6. Any amounts appropriated in this Act not lawfully expended or obligated by June 30, 2027, shall revert in accordance with the procedures prescribed in chapter 4-8.

Section 7. This grant will be administered by the South Dakota Firefighters Association under the supervision of the Department of Public Safety.

Section 8. Whereas, this Act is necessary for the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, and this Act shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval.

An Act to make an appropriation to support volunteer fire departments and to declare an emergency.