PRINTER'S NO. 623
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
680
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY STURLA, McNEILL, SIEGEL, MADDEN, GUENST, KENYATTA,
SCHLOSSBERG, ROZZI, SANCHEZ, CIRESI, GALLOWAY, FREEMAN, HILL-
EVANS, DEASY, DELLOSO, KAZEEM, MADSEN, STEELE, RABB, HARKINS,
D. WILLIAMS, HOWARD AND MALAGARI, MARCH 23, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS, MARCH 23, 2023
AN ACT
Amending Title 35 (Health and Safety) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in grants to fire companies and
emergency medical services companies, further providing for
definitions and for award of grants.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 7802 of Title 35 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a definition to read:
§ 7802. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
* * *
"Firehouse." A station under the control of a fire company
that contains a full array of firefighting apparatus and
equipment and is used by firefighters to provide fire protection
or rescue services. The State Fire Commissioner shall have final
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determination as to whether a station is a firehouse.
* * *
Section 2. Section 7813(b) of Title 35, amended November 3,
2022 (P.L.1674, No.104), is amended to read:
§ 7813. Award of grants.
* * *
(b) Limits.--
(1) Except as provided in [paragraph (3)] paragraphs (3)
and (3.1), grants shall be not less than $2,500 and not more
than $20,000 per fire company.
(2) Grants may be awarded on a pro rata basis if the
total dollar amount of the approved application exceeds the
amount of funds appropriated by the General Assembly for this
purpose.
(3) In a municipality where there are two or more
volunteer fire companies and if two or more volunteer fire
companies consolidated their use of equipment, firefighters
and services within 20 years preceding the date of the
current year application submission deadline, the
consolidated entity shall be deemed eligible to receive a
grant not to exceed the amount of the combined total for
which the individual companies would have been eligible had
they not consolidated.
(3.1) If a fire company has more than one firehouse,
grants shall be not less than $2,500 and not more than
$15,000 per firehouse.
(4) A fire company may only apply for a grant for up to
five years for the purpose under subsection (e).
(5) In a municipality where one volunteer fire company
and one EMS company consolidate their use of equipment,
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personnel and services within 20 years preceding the date of
the current year application submission deadline, the
consolidated entity shall be deemed eligible to receive a
grant not to exceed the amount of the combined total for
which the individual companies would have been eligible had
they not consolidated.
* * *
Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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