Maryland Public Safety Section 8-102

      (a)      There is a Senator William H. Amoss Fire, Rescue, and Ambulance Fund.

      (b)      The purposes of the Fund are to promote:

            (1)      the delivery of effective and high quality fire protection, rescue, and ambulance services in the State;

            (2)      increased financial support for fire, rescue, and ambulance companies by counties; and

            (3)      the continued financial viability of volunteer fire, rescue, and ambulance companies given the greatly increased costs of equipment.

      (c)      (1)      The Director shall administer the Fund.

            (2)      Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, the Director may adopt procedures to carry out this subtitle, including additional auditing and reporting requirements.

            (3)      The Director may not:

                  (i)      impose training or operational requirements as a precondition to receipt of money, except as otherwise expressly provided in this subtitle; or

                  (ii)      require that capital equipment purchased with State money have a useful life expectancy of greater than 1 year.

      (d)      The Fund consists of money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund.

      (e)      (1)      As authorized by the Director, the Treasurer shall make payments out of the Fund to each county on warrant of the Comptroller.

            (2)      The Treasurer shall make the payments required under this subsection to the appropriate county in approximately equal amounts on or about August 15, November 15, February 15, and May 15.

      (f)      (1)      State money provided under this section may only be used to:

                  (i)      acquire or rehabilitate fire or rescue equipment, including ambulances;

                  (ii)      acquire or rehabilitate capital equipment used in connection with fire or rescue equipment; and

                  (iii)      rehabilitate facilities used primarily to house fire fighting equipment, ambulances, and rescue vehicles.

            (2)      State money provided under this section may not be used:

                  (i)      for administrative costs;

                  (ii)      for compensation or fringe benefits to employees or members of county governments, or fire, rescue, or ambulance companies;

                  (iii)      for travel or meal expenses;

                  (iv)      for fuel, utility, or routine maintenance costs of facilities or equipment;

                  (v)      to acquire new or replacement fire hydrants, water mains, or emergency alarm systems not installed at a fire, rescue, or ambulance facility;

                  (vi)      for insurance;

                  (vii)      for fund-raising activities;

                  (viii)      to refinance debt or another obligation incurred before July 1, 1985;

                  (ix)      to replace or repair eligible items to the extent that insurance proceeds are available;

                  (x)      for costs associated with the "9-1-1" emergency telephone system; or

                  (xi)      for land or interests in land.