Sec. 1. 30-A MRSA c. 154 is enacted to read:

CHAPTER 154

MAINE FIREFIGHTER TRAINING FUND

§3171.__Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

1.__Municipal fire department.__"Municipal fire department" has the same meaning as in section 3151.

2.__Qualified firefighter.__"Qualified firefighter" means an active municipal firefighter or an active volunteer firefighter, as defined in section 3151.

3.__Volunteer fire association.__"Volunteer fire association" has the same meaning as in section 3151.

§3172.__The Maine Firefighter Training Fund

1. Fund established.__The Maine Firefighter Training Fund, referred to in this section as the "fund," is established to provide training funds annually to all qualified firefighters in the State.

2.__Purpose.__The purpose of the fund is to provide $100 annually for each qualified firefighter in the State toward the cost of providing a minimum of 24 hours of training annually.

3.__Administration.__The Office of the State Fire Marshal administers the fund.__Within 30 days of the close of each calendar year, the chief of each municipal fire department and each volunteer fire association shall submit a roster of the names of all qualified firefighters to the State Fire Marshal.__ Based upon the roster numbers, the State Fire Marshal shall directly disburse funds for each qualified firefighter to each municipal fire department and each volunteer fire association.__ Funds received under this chapter may be expended only for training or training materials.

4.__Authorization.__In administering the fund, the State Fire Marshal may accept public and private funds to support the fund.