Volunteer firefighters; create grants for tuition assistance and purchase and maintenance of equipment.

SB 2604 creates two new grant programs for Mississippi volunteer fire departments and their members. It establishes a $500 annual tuition grant (per academic term) for volunteer firefighters enrolled in Mississippi community colleges, requiring proof of volunteer status, academic progress (2.5 GPA), and FAFSA submission. Separately, it authorizes the Mississippi Insurance Department to administer equipment grants for purchasing/maintaining firefighting gear (e.g., hoses, communication tools), with departments needing to report fund usage and demonstrate ongoing need for renewal. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and never took effect.