SPONSOR:	Rep. D. Short & Rep. Carson & Rep. Schwartzkopf & Sen. Ennis & Sen. Simpson

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

148th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 95

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO REVIEW THE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES OF VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES.

WHEREAS, a majority of the Delaware Volunteer Fire Companies are self-regulated as it pertains to the management of their funds, with only an annual self-report being submitted to the State Fire Prevention Commission; and

WHEREAS, within the last year, it has been reported that certain volunteer members have embezzled a substantial sum of money, including nearly $200,000 in one case; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly believes it is appropriate to examine the financial controls and audit procedures of the volunteer fire companies in order to determine if there are reforms that can be made in order to help avoid these acts of embezzlement and misappropriation;

NOW THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 148th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that the Task Force to review Financial Management Procedures of Volunteer Fire Companies be created in the State of Delaware:

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Task Force shall consist of the following members:

1. Two members of the Delaware Senate (one from the majority party and one from the minority party), including a co-chair, appointed by the President pro tempore.

2. Two members of the Delaware House of Representatives (one from the majority party and one from the minority party), including a co-chair, as appointed by the Speaker of the House.

3. Two members from the State Fire Prevention Commission.

4. Two persons who are members of a local volunteer fire company in this State, to be appointed by the Delaware Volunteer Firefighter Association.

5. Two members of the general public, with a preference for persons with experience or qualifications in the field of accounting, as appointed by the Governor.

6. The State Auditor or designee.

7. A representative from the Office of the Controller General.

8. A representative of each of the counties, appointed by the county government.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the co-chairs of the Task Force be responsible for guiding the administration of the Task Force which includes:

1. Setting a date, time and place for the initial organizational meeting;

2. Supervising the preparation and distribution of meeting notices, agendas, minutes, correspondences, and reports of Task Force; and

3. Ensuring that the final report of the Task Force is timely submitted to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, with a copy to the Governor.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Office of the Auditor of Accounts be responsible for providing reasonable and necessary support staff and materials for the Task Force.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Task Force shall perform a comprehensive review of the existing financial accounting and management procedures of the various Delaware Volunteer Fire Companies and their respective reporting requirements to the State of Delaware.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Task Force return to the General Assembly by January 31, 2017 with recommended changes and reforms to consider in order to promote proper fiscal management and decrease the risk of embezzlement and misappropriation by members of the volunteer fire companies.