(a) A municipality, county, or political subdivision shall not operate a rescue squad, and a nonprofit organization shall not operate as a rescue squad, unless the rescue squad has been duly recognized and authorized to perform rescue services pursuant to this part by the state fire marshal's office. The state fire marshal, in consultation with the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads and other interested industry groups, shall promulgate rules pursuant to the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5, relative to the standards and qualifications for becoming and remaining a rescue squad.
(b) The state fire marshal's office shall not oversee or have control over funding for a rescue squad whose certificate of charter with the secretary of state is active before July 1, 2026.