This bill appropriates $5,000,000 from the general fund to the Department of Public Safety for grants aimed at supporting volunteer fire departments in South Dakota. The funds are specifically designated for the purchase of personal protective equipment for firefighters, with a focus on departments where at least seventy percent of the firefighters are volunteers. The Department of Public Safety is tasked with evaluating grant applications in chronological order and prioritizing those departments that demonstrate the greatest need for equipment to ensure firefighter safety.

Additionally, the bill outlines that the secretary of the Department of Public Safety will approve the necessary vouchers, and the state auditor will facilitate the payment of authorized expenditures. Any unspent funds from this appropriation that are not obligated by June 30, 2030, will revert according to established procedures. The bill also declares an emergency, allowing it to take effect immediately upon passage and approval, emphasizing its importance for the support of state government and public institutions.