Section 4. Sections 7814 and 7822 of Title 35 are amended to
read:
ยง 7814. Consolidation incentive.
If two or more [volunteer] fire companies consolidate their
use of facilities, equipment, firefighters and services, the
consolidated entity may, upon notification of the commissioner,
be eligible for a reduction of the interest rate payable on any
outstanding principal balance owed, as of the date of
consolidation, by any or all of the consolidating companies to
the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Fund for loans made
under the act of July 15, 1976 (P.L.1036, No.208), known as the
Volunteer Fire Company, Ambulance Service and Rescue Squad
Assistance Act, or under Subchapter E of Chapter 73 (relating to
Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Program). The reduction
in the interest rate payable shall be from 2% to 1%. Upon
receipt of such notification, the commissioner shall determine
and verify that the consolidated entity is in fact a bona fide
consolidated [volunteer] fire company. If the commissioner
determines that the consolidated entity is a bona fide
consolidated [volunteer] fire company, the commissioner shall
reduce the interest rate payable on any outstanding principal
balance owed to the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan
Fund for loans made under the former Volunteer Fire Company,
Ambulance Service and Rescue Squad Assistance Act, or under
Subchapter E of Chapter 73, for which the consolidating
companies or the consolidated entity may be individually or
jointly responsible. The commissioner may promulgate such rules
and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions
of this section.
Amend Bill, page 3, by inserting between lines 16 and 17
Section 5. Section 7823(a)(7) and (c)(2) of Title 35 are
amended and the section is amended by adding a subsection to
read:
Amend Bill, page 3, line 22, by striking out all of said line
and inserting
(a.1) Additional grants.--The commissioner, in consultation
with the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, may establish a
certification bonus point system to award additional grants to
EMS companies. The commissioner shall submit the certification
bonus point system to the Legislative Reference Bureau for
publication in the next available issue of the Pennsylvania
Bulletin concurrently with the notice required under section
7822 (relating to publication and notice).
* * *
(c) Time for filing application and department action.--
* * *
(2) EMS companies seeking grants under this chapter
2024/90AJB/SB1099A03595 - 4 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47