SB625 HFIN AMT

                                                                                                                                                    McO

The Committee on Finance moves to amend the title of the bill to read as follows:

Eng. Com. Sub for S. B. 625 -- “A BILL to amend and reenact §5A-3-8 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §5A-3-8a; to amend and reenact §5H-1-2 of said code; to amend and reenact §7-1-3d of said code; to amend and reenact §8-15-3 of said code; to amend and reenact §16-4C-6 and §16-4C-8 of said code; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §16-4C-8a; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §17-2A-8d; to amend said code by adding thereto two new sections, designated §29-3-5e and §29-3-8; to amend and reenact §29-3-12 of said code; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-3-33b, all relating to fire and other emergency hazards generally; requiring Director of Purchasing Division make facilities and services of the division available to fire departments and companies and certain emergency medical services agencies; authorizing director to provide for implementation by legislative rules or other agreement; providing for written designation of beneficiary to be made with State Fire Marshal or Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health; requiring any county fire prevention units to be formed and recognized under the regulations of the State Fire Commission for local fire departments; increasing authorized reimbursement rate amount; providing exception for incidents or accidents involving hazardous materials or extended search and rescue and water rescue incidents; requiring payment of amounts owed as reimbursement within 90 days; authorizing written agreements between fire department or company and responsible party; modifying provisions relating to fire fees imposed on nonresidents of a municipality who are users of that municipality’s fire service; capping the amount of the fees which can be imposed; excluding charges for certain buildings; requiring contract to impose fees for services provided to property outside municipal boundaries; authorizing Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health to establish one or more statewide contracts for equipment and supplies utilized by emergency medical services agencies; requiring statewide contracts be made available to certain emergency medical services agencies; authorizing development of uniform standards for equipment and supplies used by emergency medical services agencies; giving legislative rule-making authority to Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health to implement provisions; requiring Commissioner of the Bureau for Public Health to recognize and give full credit for all continuing education credits approved or recognized by state or nationally recognized accrediting body; establishing courtesy certification program for certified emergency medical service personnel in states bordering West Virginia; relieving courtesy certification applicants from requirement to comply with state certification standards; authorizing rulemaking to implement courtesy certification program; providing for biennial renewal of courtesy certification; authorizing revocation of courtesy certification under certain conditions; authorizing Commissioner of Division of Highways enter into reimbursement agreements with certain fire departments for services provided relating to tree or debris removal from state highways and rights-of-way; setting conditions for and defining scope of reimbursement; retaining authority of commissioner to properly remove and dispose of cleared trees, debris, or other obstacles; granting legislative rule-making authority to implement reimbursement program; setting minimum provisions for legislative rule; authorizing State Fire Marshal establish one or more statewide contracts for equipment and supplies utilized by fire companies and departments; requiring statewide contracts be made available to certain fire companies and departments as well as any other agency or subdivision with a need for those equipment or supplies; authorizing development of uniform standards for equipment and supplies used by fire companies and departments; giving legislative rule-making authority to State Fire Commission to implement provisions; establishing courtesy certification program for certified firefighters in states bordering West Virginia as volunteer firefighters; relieving courtesy certification applicants from requirement to comply with state certification standards for volunteer firefighters; authorizing rulemaking to implement courtesy certification program; providing for biennial renewal of courtesy certification; authorizing revocation of courtesy certification under certain conditions; requiring State Fire Marshal prepare certain reports and make certain recommendations; requiring study and report from Insurance Commissioner regarding issues related to workers’ compensation for volunteer and part-volunteer fire departments; eliminating obsolete language; and making technical corrections.”.