HARRY HUGHES, Governor                               1785

FIREMEN'S ASSOCIATION, THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL, AND THE
CHAIRMAN OF THE FIRE AND RESCUE EDUCATION AND TRAINING
COMMISSION. THE DECISION OF THE APPEALS PANEL SHALL BE
FINAL AND NOT SUBJECT TO FURTHER REVIEW.

(4) UPON APPROVAL OF A REQUEST FOR THE USE OF
TRUST FUNDS, THE MARYLAND STATE FIREMEN'S ASSOCIATION. OR THE
APPEALS PANEL, AS THE CASE MAY BE, SHALL TRANSMIT ITS
RECOMMENDATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND FISCAL
PLANNING ALONG WITH THE REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND
ANY OTHER SUPPORTING INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

(5) THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND FISCAL PLANNING
SHALL FORWARD EACH REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE
LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR FOR REVIEW. THE LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR,"
UPON REVIEW OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, SHALL MAY ADVISE
THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND FISCAL PLANNING IF THE REQUEST
FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPEARS JUSTIFIED.

(6) THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS IS AUTHORIZED TO
PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS NECESSARY TO ADMINISTER THE
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TRUST FUND PROGRAM.

(7) UPON WARRANT OF THE COMPTROLLER, THE STATE
TREASURER SHALL DISBURSE TRUST FUNDS TO A VOLUNTEER FIRE
COMPANY OR RESCUE SQUAD FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION AS
AUTHORIZED BY THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.

(B) THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS MAY AWARD EITHER A GRANT
OR A LOAN OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH FROM THE EMERGENCY
ASSISTANCE TRUST FUND AFTER A FAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION FROM
THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND FISCAL PLANNING IF:

(1) AN ACT OF GOD OR OTHER UNFORESEEN EVENT HAS
SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIRED THE ABILITY OF A VOLUNTEER FIRE
COMPANY OR RESCUE SQUAD TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE AND SAFE
SERVICE; OR

(2) THE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY OR RESCUE SQUAD
IS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN THE MINIMUM LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE FOR
ADEQUATE AND SAFE SERVICE ESTABLISHED BY STANDARDS OF THE
MARYLAND STATE FIREMEN'S ASSOCIATION BECAUSE OF A
DEMONSTRATED LACK OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES; AND

(3) THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND FISCAL PLANNING
AND THE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY OR RESCUE SQUAD RECEIVING
ASSISTANCE HAVE EXECUTED AN AGREEMENT WHICH PROVIDES THAT
TRUST FUNDS WILL BE USED AS REPRESENTED IN THE REQUEST FOR
APPROVAL TO THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND WHICH GRANTS TO
THE STATE SUCH SECURITY IN THE EQUIPMENT OR FACILITIES
ACQUIRED WITH TRUST FUNDS AND IN THE PROCEEDS OF THAT
EQUIPMENT OR THOSE FACILITIES AS IS DETERMINED BY THE BOARD
TO BE APPROPRIATE AND ADEQUATE.

(C)  A GRANT OR LOAN AWARDED UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL
BE USED ONLY FOR: