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2024 SESSION

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24102282D
HOUSE BILL NO. 304 Offered January 10, 2024 Prefiled January 5, 2024 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 2 of Title 9.1 a section numbered 9.1-208.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Firefighting Facilities Grant Program. ---------- Patron-- Ballard ---------- Referred to Committee on General Laws ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 2 of Title 9.1 a section numbered § 9.1-208.2 as follows:

§ 9.1-208.2. Virginia Firefighting Facilities Grant Program.

A. The Virginia Firefighting Facilities Grant Program (the Program) is hereby established for the purpose of awarding grants on a first-come, first-served basis from such funds as may be available to localities for the purpose of building and maintaining their firefighting facilities. For purposes of this section, "firefighting facilities" means structures that house firefighting equipment or vehicles as part of a fire department or fire company as those terms are defined in § 27-6.01. Grants shall be awarded in an amount to be established in the appropriation act and the Program shall be administered by the Department. In administering the Program, the Department shall establish and publish guidelines and criteria for grant awards, including guidelines and criteria governing agreements between the Department and grant recipients relating to the use of grant funds.

B. Prior to the issuance of any grant, the Department shall develop guidelines to implement the provisions of this section. Such guidelines shall (i) emphasize providing grants to localities that are cost burdened in the provision of firefighting services, whether due to the concentration of poverty in the locality or other circumstances that impair the locality's ability to seek alternative financing for such facilities; (ii) require remedying facilities that do not meet minimum standards established by law; (iii) provide an agreement that sets forth the terms and conditions of the grant, including any dates certain for the completion of specific acts by the recipient; and (iv) provide for the repayment of funds, including the rate of interest to be charged, if any, if the recipient does not comply with the terms of the grant agreement. The development of such guidelines shall be exempt from the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).

C. All funds appropriated by the General Assembly for use in the Program and any gifts, donations, grants, bequests, and other funds received on its behalf shall be paid into the state treasury. Any such funds shall be used solely for purposes of (i) awarding grants through the Program or (ii) implementing and administering the Program.

D. The Department shall report annually, beginning November 1, 2025, to the Governor and the General Assembly a list of grants, the amount of each approved grant, and an assessment of the effectiveness of the Program in assisting localities in building and maintaining their firefighting facilities.