Bill would let fire services board target forfeited grant shares to needy departments

House Bill 682, sponsored on the floor by Delegate Zaire, would change how the Fire Programs Fund treats forfeited local grant shares. Under current practice, forfeited funds are returned to the fund and redistributed evenly among all 322 localities, often producing negligible amounts per locality. The bill would allow the Virginia Fire Services Board to allocate those forfeitures to targeted grant programs for specific fire‑service priorities.

Delegate Zaire told the subcommittee that between fiscal years the roughly $210,000 forfeited over recent years produced only token shares when split across all localities. "This bill seeks to change that by allowing the Virginia Fire Services Board to use these forfeited funds for new targeted grant programs addressing specific fire service priorities," the presenter said, citing equipment purchases and training for at‑risk departments as examples.

Committee members expressed support, noting the change creates no new revenue but aims to use existing resources more effectively. A motion to report the bill passed on a roll call of 7 to 0.

The subcommittee recorded no opposition testimony on the bill; members said they intend to pursue targeted mechanisms in subsequent budget or program guidance.