§8–102.    IN EFFECT

    (a)    There is a Senator William H. Amoss Fire, Rescue, and Ambulance Fund.

    (b)    The purposes of the Fund are to promote:

        (1)    the delivery of effective and high quality fire protection, rescue, and ambulance services in the State;

        (2)    increased financial support for fire, rescue, and ambulance companies by counties; and

        (3)    the continued financial viability of volunteer fire, rescue, and ambulance companies given the greatly increased costs of equipment.

    (c)    (1)    The Secretary shall administer the Fund.

        (2)    Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, the Secretary may adopt procedures to carry out this subtitle, including additional auditing and reporting requirements.

        (3)    The Secretary may not impose training or operational requirements as a precondition to receipt of money, except as otherwise expressly provided in this subtitle.

    (d)    The Fund consists of:

        (1)    money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund; and

        (2)    revenue distributed to the Fund under § 16–609 of the Business Regulation Article.

    (e)    (1)    As authorized by the Secretary, the Treasurer shall make payments out of the Fund to each county on warrant of the Comptroller.

        (2)    The Treasurer shall make the payments required under this subsection to the appropriate county on or about November 15.

    (f)    (1)    State money provided under this section may only be used to:

            (i)    acquire or rehabilitate fire or rescue equipment, including ambulances;

            (ii)    acquire or rehabilitate capital equipment used in connection with fire or rescue equipment;

            (iii)    rehabilitate facilities used primarily to house fire fighting equipment, ambulances, and rescue vehicles;

            (iv)    install life safety and fire protection systems at a fire, rescue, or ambulance facility;

            (v)    acquire land for the purpose of rehabilitation or construction of a fire, rescue, or ambulance facility;

            (vi)    acquire wireless telecommunications devices, computers, and related computer equipment if used exclusively for fire protection, rescue, and ambulance services; and

            (vii)    acquire machinery and equipment if used exclusively for fire protection, rescue, and ambulance services.

        (2)    State money provided under this section may not be used:

            (i)    for administrative costs;

            (ii)    for compensation or fringe benefits to employees or members of county governments, or fire, rescue, or ambulance companies;

            (iii)    for travel or meal expenses;

            (iv)    for fuel, utility, or routine maintenance costs of facilities or equipment;

            (v)    to acquire new or replacement fire hydrants or water mains;

            (vi)    for insurance;

            (vii)    for fund–raising activities;

            (viii)    to replace or repair eligible items to the extent that insurance proceeds are available;

            (ix)    for costs associated with the “9–1–1” emergency telephone system; or

            (x)    for land or interests in land, except as provided in paragraph (1)(v) of this subsection.

    (g)    Beginning in fiscal year 2026, the Governor shall include an annual appropriation to the Fund of at least $16,500,000.

§8–102.    ** CONTINGENCY – NOT IN EFFECT – CHAPTER 497 OF 2007 **

    (a)    There is a Senator William H. Amoss Fire, Rescue, and Ambulance Fund.

    (b)    The purposes of the Fund are to promote:

        (1)    the delivery of effective and high quality fire protection, rescue, and ambulance services in the State;

        (2)    increased financial support for fire, rescue, and ambulance companies by counties; and

        (3)    the continued financial viability of volunteer fire, rescue, and ambulance companies given the greatly increased costs of equipment.

    (c)    (1)    The Secretary shall administer the Fund.

        (2)    Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, the Secretary may adopt procedures to carry out this subtitle, including additional auditing and reporting requirements.

        (3)    The Secretary may not impose training or operational requirements as a precondition to receipt of money, except as otherwise expressly provided in this subtitle.

    (d)    The Fund consists of money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund.

    (e)    (1)    As authorized by the Secretary, the Treasurer shall make payments out of the Fund to each county on warrant of the Comptroller.

        (2)    The Treasurer shall make the payments required under this subsection to the appropriate county on or about November 15.

    (f)    (1)    State money provided under this section may only be used to:

            (i)    acquire or rehabilitate fire or rescue equipment, including ambulances;

            (ii)    acquire or rehabilitate capital equipment used in connection with fire or rescue equipment;

            (iii)    rehabilitate facilities used primarily to house fire fighting equipment, ambulances, and rescue vehicles;

            (iv)    install life safety and fire protection systems at a fire, rescue, or ambulance facility;

            (v)    acquire land for the purpose of rehabilitation or construction of a fire, rescue, or ambulance facility;

            (vi)    acquire wireless telecommunications devices, computers, and related computer equipment if used exclusively for fire protection, rescue, and ambulance services; and

            (vii)    acquire machinery and equipment if used exclusively for fire protection, rescue, and ambulance services.

        (2)    State money provided under this section may not be used:

            (i)    for administrative costs;

            (ii)    for compensation or fringe benefits to employees or members of county governments, or fire, rescue, or ambulance companies;

            (iii)    for travel or meal expenses;

            (iv)    for fuel, utility, or routine maintenance costs of facilities or equipment;

            (v)    to acquire new or replacement fire hydrants or water mains;

            (vi)    for insurance;

            (vii)    for fund–raising activities;

            (viii)    to replace or repair eligible items to the extent that insurance proceeds are available;

            (ix)    for costs associated with the “9–1–1” emergency telephone system; or

            (x)    for land or interests in land, except as provided in paragraph (1)(v) of this subsection.

    (g)    Beginning in fiscal year 2026, the Governor shall include an annual appropriation to the Fund of at least $16,500,000.