HB5399: To modify the state auditing practices of the volunteer and part-volunteer fire departments

Legislative Summary

The purpose of this bill is to modify state auditing practices and requirements to facilitate efficient financial management of volunteer and part-volunteer fire departments; directing state audit functions of these departments to the State Auditor; freezing state funding to any fire departments that fail to cooperate with a state audit; requiring that both the fire chief and treasurer sign any sworn statements required to be submitted to the state auditor; requiring that volunteer and part-volunteer fire departments be audited at least once every 5 years; providing for restitution be paid to volunteer and part-time fire departments double the amount of property unlawfully stolen or embezzled; requiring posting a notice of this penalty in volunteer and part-volunteer fire departments; and establishing a pilot project to evaluate how volunteer and part-volunteer fire departments implement the State Auditor's Checkbook accounting system.