State-owned surplus property transferred to volunteer fire departments; determination by Forestry Commission; approval by department; penalty for unauthorized use; final disposition of property.

(a) All surplus property owned by the state to be disposed of by sale at auction by the Finance Department shall first be screened by the Forestry Commission to determine if such property may be of use by volunteer fire departments for specific use in fire suppression activities. If the Forestry Commission finds such property to be useful for such purposes, then, with the approval of the state Finance Director, such property shall be transferred to the Forestry Commission. All such property shall be loaned to the volunteer fire departments.

(b) Any property transferred to a volunteer fire department under the provisions of this section shall be used exclusively for fire protection purposes. The use of any such property other than on the business of the volunteer fire department is expressly prohibited. Any violation of the provision of this section shall be a Class A misdemeanor punishable as provided under Title 13A.

(c) Final disposition of all properties loaned by the Forestry Commission as a result of this section shall rest with the Finance Department of the state.

(Acts 1980, No. 80-364, p. 483.)