Committee adopts structural amendments to fire-station grant bill but sets measure aside

The House Finance Committee on May 15 considered Senate Bill 140, a proposal to establish a matching grant program for fire-station construction and renovation. Representative Hannon moved Amendment 2 to SB140, which would cap grants at $10 million, establish a panel of evaluators (including the director of the Division of Community and Regional Affairs or designee, a registered architect or engineer, and two members of a statewide association of fire chiefs), and require scoring priorities such as public-safety and emergency factors, demonstration of sustainable revenue for operations, a preventative maintenance plan and insurance for replacement cost.

Sen. Bert Stedman and Representative Bynum spoke in support. Representative Hannon emphasized the amendment creates the statutory framework and does not appropriate funds; any appropriation would be determined by a future legislature and the program itself has no fiscal note under this amendment. The committee adopted Amendment 2 by voice, then set SB140 aside to return to later in the day or at the 1:30 p.m. meeting to accommodate floor session scheduling.

Next steps: SB140 was set aside for later consideration; members suggested possible smaller-community protections and further drafting work before final committee action.