HB1416
To Amend The Law Concerning Fire Departments; And To Allow A Volunteer Fire Department Servicing Unincorporated Areas Of The County To Levy Dues.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill proposes amendments to Arkansas law concerning volunteer fire departments. Specifically, it aims to allow volunteer fire departments that service unincorporated areas of a county to levy annual dues. The process would begin with a request to the county quorum court by the volunteer fire department. If approved, the quorum court would call for an election on the issue of levying dues on residences and businesses with occupiable structures. Alternatively, if a petition signed by a majority of registered voters in the district is filed, the election may be dispensed with. Upon approval, these dues would be listed on annual real property tax statements and collected by the county collector. The bill also outlines procedures for reporting delinquencies and for the volunteer fire department to enforce collection. It includes provisions for exemptions for active members and churches exempt from property taxes. Volunteer fire departments utilizing this collection method would be required to file annual reports with the county clerk.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be volunteer fire departments operating in unincorporated areas of Arkansas counties. By enabling these departments to levy and collect dues, the bill aims to provide them with a more stable and predictable funding source. This, in turn, could lead to improved equipment, training, and overall service capabilities for these departments, ultimately benefiting the residents within their service areas through enhanced fire protection. The county collectors would also benefit from a streamlined process for collecting these dues, as they would be integrated with existing property tax collection.
Who Might Suffer?
The groups most directly negatively impacted by this bill would be residents and businesses located in unincorporated areas of counties where volunteer fire departments choose to levy dues. These entities would face an additional annual expense in the form of fire department dues, which would be collected alongside property taxes. While the bill allows for exemptions for active members and certain churches, the general population within these service areas would be subject to this new financial obligation. The cost of any special election held to approve the levy would also be borne by the requesting volunteer fire department, which could potentially be passed on indirectly to residents.