Senate Bill 2383

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 45-11-251, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE COMPOSITION OF THE MISSISSIPPI FIRE PERSONNEL MINIMUM STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION BOARD; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 45-11-251, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

45-11-251. (1) There is hereby created the Mississippi Fire Personnel Minimum Standards and Certification Board. The board shall consist of eight (8) members. The Commissioner of Insurance and the Director of the State Fire Academy shall serve as ex officio members. The Director of the State Fire Academy shall serve as secretary to the board.

(2) * * * Six (6) members of the Mississippi Fire Personnel Minimum Standards and Certification Board shall be selected as follows:

(a) Three (3) full-time paid fire fighters below the rank of chief * * * selected by the Mississippi Fire Fighters Association;

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(b) Three (3) fire chiefs * * * selected by the Mississippi Fire Chiefs Association. * * *

The initial terms of members in each category selected in paragraphs (a) and (b) * * * shall be staggered: One (1) member in each category shall serve a term of one (1) year; one (1) member in each category shall serve a term of two (2) years; one (1) member in each category shall serve a term of three (3) years. After the expiration of the initial term, the term shall be three (3) years.

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No member selected under this subsection shall serve more than two (2) terms. Any member missing three (3) consecutive meetings shall be deemed to have resigned from the board. A vacancy prior to the expiration of a term shall be filled by selection in the same manner and for the balance of the unexpired term.

(3) During his term, a member of the board shall not serve as a member of the State Fire Academy Advisory Board.

(4) The board shall select a chairman and vice chairman from its membership.

(5) The Department of Insurance shall provide administrative support for the board.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.