MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2011 Regular Session

To: Insurance

By: Senator(s) Lee (35th), Burton, Carmichael, Chassaniol, Clarke, Fillingane, Hudson, Jordan, Mettetal, Ward, Watson, Wilemon, Browning, Powell

Senate Bill 2742

(COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 83-3-24, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE RATING BUREAU TO FORMALIZE STANDARDS FOR AWARDING CREDITS TO FIRE DEPARTMENTS FOR CERTAIN FIRE EQUIPMENT FOR USE IN DETERMINING FIRE RATINGS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 83-3-24, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     83-3-24.  (1)  When rating a municipality or fire district, including evaluations of rural or volunteer fire departments, the Rating Bureau shall consider the mileage, condition and maintenance of the fire trucks rather than the age of the fire trucksFor the purpose of grading municipalities or fire districts, including rural and volunteer fire departments, and awarding credits that are considered in determining an overall fire rating based upon the condition of their fire trucks, the Rating Bureau shall publish guidelines for use in the grading of fire trucks not later than January 30 of the calendar year during which the Rating Bureau will apply the guidelines.  These guidelines shall be published and made available to each municipality and fire district, including rural and volunteer fire departments, on the Rating Bureau's website not later than January 30 of the calendar year during which the Rating Bureau will apply the guidelines.  If a fire truck in a municipality or fire district, including rural and volunteer fire departments, satisfies the guidelines, then the Rating Bureau shall not recommend the replacement of the fire truck before the next grading process.

     (2)  For the purpose of grading fire departments, the alternative water supply standard shall be two hundred fifty (250) gallons per minute for a sustained period of one (1) hour.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2011.