MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2000 Regular Session
To: Appropriations
By: Representatives Pierce, Hamilton, Maples
House Bill 928
AN ACT TO CREATE THE "RURAL COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE GRANT FUND"; TO PROVIDE THAT THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SHALL ADMINISTER SUCH FUND FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING GRANTS TO COUNTIES WITH A POPULATION OF NOT MORE THAN 25,000 TO ASSIST SUCH COUNTIES IN PROVIDING FOR AMBULANCE SERVICE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE FUND CREATED IN THIS ACT WILL CONSIST OF FUNDS APPROPRIATED BY THE LEGISLATURE FROM THE HEALTH CARE EXPENDABLE FUND; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. As used in this act, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed in this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
(a) "Department" means the Mississippi Department of Economic and Community Development.
(b) "Fund" means the Rural County Ambulance Service Grant Fund.
(c) "Rural county" means a county having a population of not more than twenty-five thousand (25,000) according to the most recent federal decennial census.
SECTION 2. (1) There is created a special fund in the State Treasury to be designated the "Rural County Ambulance Service Grant Fund." The department shall administer the fund and shall establish and implement a grant program for the purpose of making grants from the fund to rural counties to assist such counties in providing for ambulance service. The fund shall consist of funds appropriated by the Legislature from the Health Care Expendable Fund established under Section 43-13-407. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund. Any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited into such fund.
(2) The department shall have all powers necessary to implement and administer the program provided for in this section, and the department shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the implementation and administration of the program.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.