House Bill 721

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 45-11-251, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT MEMBERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI FIRE PERSONNEL MINIMUM STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION BOARD THAT ARE NOT STATE EMPLOYEES SHALL BE ENTITLED TO PER DIEM AND TRAVEL EXPENSES; 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 eleven (11) 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. The Commissioner of Insurance may appoint a designee to serve in his absence.

(2) Nine (9) members of the Mississippi Fire Personnel Minimum Standards and Certification Board shall be selected as follows:

(a) Two (2) full-time paid firefighters below the rank of chief selected by the Mississippi Fire Fighters Association. The initial term shall be staggered with one (1) member serving a two-year term and one (1) member serving a three-year term. After the expiration of the initial term, the term shall be for three (3) years;

(b) One (1) full-time firefighter below the rank of fire chief selected by the Professional Fire Fighters Association of Mississippi;

(c) Three (3) career fire chiefs selected by the Mississippi Fire Chiefs Association. The initial term shall be staggered: one (1) member shall serve a term of one (1) year; one (1) member shall serve a term of two (2) years; and one (1) member shall serve a term of three (3) years. After the expiration of the initial term, the term shall be for three (3) years;

(d) One (1) full-time paid certified fire instructor selected by the Mississippi Fire Fighters Service Instructors Association. The initial term shall be for one (1) year. After the expiration of the initial term, the term shall be for three (3) years;

(e) One (1) full-time paid fire investigator from a paid department selected by the Mississippi Fire Investigators Association. The initial term shall be for two (2) years. After the expiration of the initial term, the term shall be for three (3) years; and

(f) One (1) member of the volunteer fire service selected by the Mississippi Fire Fighters Association. The initial term shall be for three (3) years. After the expiration of the initial term, the term shall be for three (3) years.

No member selected under this subsection shall serve more than two (2) terms consecutively. 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.

(6) Members of the Mississippi Fire Personnel Minimum Standards and Certification Board who are not state employees shall be entitled to a per diem compensation as provided in Section 25-3-69, and to travel expenses as provided in Section 25-3-41. The provisions of this subsection shall apply to travel necessary to attend board meetings, as well as other travel authorized by the board and required in the performance of official duties.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2014.