HB 939 Mississippi House · 2026 Regular Session

MS Length-of-Service Award Program; extend repealer and create Fire Grant Fund and Fire Equipment Grant Fund.

HB 939 extends the expiration date of Mississippi's Length-of-Service Award Program (LOSAP), which provides paid service awards to volunteer firefighters. The bill delays the program's sunset date beyond July 1, 2029 (currently specified in the law), ensuring continued funding for the program. LOSAP awards, capped at $500 annually per eligible volunteer firefighter, are designed to recruit and retain active volunteer fire department members who meet registration requirements. The program is administered by a board including the Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Coordinator, with funds held in a state treasury special fund. This extension directly affects volunteer firefighters in Mississippi who qualify under the program's existing rules.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Feb 5, 2026 Signed Apr 8, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed the lower Current version · 7 edits
MODERATE
This bill significantly expands Mississippi's fire safety funding by creating two new grant programs to replace several older funds. It also mandates that fire equipment ratings focus on maintenance and condition rather than just age, and extends the deadline for repealing the current Length-of-Service Award Program.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from solely managing volunteer firefighter retirement benefits to actively funding new fire trucks, equipment, and countywide fire programs through a new grant committee.
FISCAL

Created the 'Fire Grant Fund' to provide up to 50-70% funding for new fire trucks and up to $100,000 for establishing countywide fire programs.

Created the 'Fire Equipment Grant Fund' to provide up to 70% funding for fire safety and life-saving equipment.

Repealed the Rural Fire Truck Acquisition Assistance Program, Supplementary Rural Fire Truck Fund, and Annual Fire Fund, consolidating their resources into the new grant funds.

REQUIREMENT

Mandated that the State Fire Marshal and Rating Bureau evaluate fire trucks based on mileage, condition, and NFPA 1900 maintenance standards instead of strictly by age.

Added strict deadlines requiring recipients to purchase fire trucks or equipment within 12 months of receiving grant funds, with a process to recover unspent money.

ENFORCEMENT

Established a new FIRE Grant Committee to score and recommend grant recipients based on population served, equipment condition, and coverage gaps.

TIMELINE

Extended the repeal date of the Length-of-Service Award Program from 2029 to 2030.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 11, 2026 · House Feb 4, 2026

How they voted

510
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 52
Mar 11, 2026
D Democratic18
18 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican34
33 Yea 1
97% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
17
Key actions
8
Committee
6
Amendments
1
Apr 8, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor
executive
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
Conference Report Adopted
lower
Mar 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Conference Report Filed
upper
Mar 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed As Amended
upper
Mar 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Amended
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Title Suff Do Pass
upper
Feb 16, 2026
Committee
Referred To Insurance
upper
Feb 5, 2026
Introduced
Transmitted To Senate
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Lower · Passed
Title Suff Do Pass
lower
Jan 16, 2026
Committee
Referred To Insurance
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.