18-04-01. Eligibility for participation in fund created from premium tax on fire insurance companies.

1. To become eligible for the benefits provided under this chapter, a city, or one or more townships or fire districts, shall maintain therein for at least eight months before the filing of the certificate required under section 18-04-02 a fire district, fire protection district, or department that: a. Has been in actual existence for the period specified in this section; b. Provides the minimum requirements for class 9 fire protection or better; and c. Has been in compliance with the requirements to report fires as set forth in section 18-01-06.

2. Change in a fire department's name, or incorporation into a fire district, is deemed a waiver of the eight-month waiting period for filing a certificate of existence under section 18-04-02.