Authorizes counties to lease county land for natural gas exploration, development and production for five years or as long as gas is produced in paying quantities.
Establishes a fire prevention and emergency task force to develop a plan for training requirements and standards for fire prevention and emergency response services in rural areas and to examine the necessity of having uniform standards across the state.
Directs the department of economic development to study methods for keeping small retail businesses within the state and create a pilot program to train and counsel small business owners and potential small business owners; appropriates $210,000 therefor.
Prohibits an employer from terminating an employee who is also a volunteer firefighter or an enrolled member of a volunteer ambulance service when such employee misses or is late to work because of an emergency to which the employee was dispatched.
Provides for the establishment of a method for determining the lowest responsible bidder when negotiating state contracts that would incorporate quantifiable fiscal benefits.
Provides that before a person may receive public assistance benefits, they must submit to and pass a drug test; requires health care professionals, law enforcement agencies, and courts report certain instances of substance abuse to the commissioner of social services.
Provides for the continuation of a commercial driver's license after lapse or termination of insurance if a person needs such license to perform their employment.
Gives state income tax credit to volunteer firefighters and members of a volunteer ambulance corps in good standing up to $2500; must be in good standing for a minimum of five years and maintain continued eligibility.
Creates a distinctive license plate for veterans honoring Borinqueneers; defines "veteran" as a person who is a resident of this state, who served in the armed forces of the United States, and was honorably discharged from the armed forces, or has a qualifying condition, as defined in section one of the veterans' services law, and has received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from such service, or is a discharged LGBT veteran, as defined in section one of the veterans' services law, and has received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable from such service.