(a) Rural fire protection districts organized under the laws of this state which operate not-for-profit or any other rural fire protection agency, service, or program which provides rural fire protection to its members or to the public not-for-profit shall be eligible to purchase fire fighting vehicles and equipment from the Arkansas Forestry Commission, if the vehicles and equipment are available, to be used for rural fire protection services.

(b) The Arkansas Forestry Commission may make loans to eligible rural fire protection districts and other qualified districts, services, or programs which provide fire protection to rural areas not-for-profit, who may apply to the Arkansas Forestry Commission, upon forms and in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the Arkansas Forestry Commission, for loans not to exceed seventy-five percent (75%) of the cost of acquiring rural fire protection vehicles or equipment.

(c) The loans shall be for such period as may be approved by regulation of the Arkansas Forestry Commission, and in no event may any loan be for more than three (3) years.

(d) The Arkansas Forestry Commission is authorized to establish a system of priorities for determining eligibility for the acquisition of fire fighting vehicles renovated by the department which are available for sale to rural fire protection districts and may also establish a system of priorities for eligibility for loans from the Rural Fire Protection Revolving Fund for a portion of the moneys needed to acquire the vehicles by rural fire protection districts.