An Act relating to contributions to the Alaska Fire Standards Council and to an insurer tax credit for those contributions; and providing for an effective date.

House Bill 380 creates an insurance tax credit for contributions to the Alaska Fire Standards Council for fire services training programs. Development of fire standards that address the unique challenges posed by Alaska's climate will benefit Alaskans as the incidence of casualty and property loss goes down, including fatalities.

The Alaska Fire Standards Council will be established on July 1, 2000 as directed in legislation passed by the 20th Alaska State Legislature. It will adopt minimum standards for employment and curriculum requirements for firefighters and fire instructors and their certification. It will establish and maintain firefighter and fire instructor training programs. The certification of firefighters will be optional. While national standards already exist, they do not take into account many of the unique qualities Alaska's climate presents.