Sec. 51-a-1.  FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER PUBLIC FIRE-FIGHTING ORGANIZATIONS.  (a)  The legislature by general law may authorize the use of public money to provide to local fire departments and other public fire-fighting organizations:
(1)  loans or other financial assistance to purchase fire-fighting equipment and to aid in providing necessary equipment and facilities to comply with federal and state law; and
(2)  scholarships and grants to educate and train the members of local fire departments and other public fire-fighting organizations.
(b)  A portion of the money used under this section may be used for the administrative costs of the program.  The legislature shall provide for the terms and conditions of scholarships, grants, loans, and other financial assistance to be provided under this section.
(Added Nov. 7, 1989.)