(a) The hazardous materials emergency fund of the state fire marshal is hereby redesignated as the emergency response fund of the state fire marshal. In addition to any other purposes for which expenditures may be made by the state fire marshal from the moneys appropriated from the emergency response fund, expenditures shall be made by the state fire marshal from the moneys appropriated from the emergency response fund to establish and maintain regional emergency response teams to provide a response to hazardous materials or search and rescue incidents.

(b) In the event the balance of the emergency response fund of the state fire marshal falls below $500,000, the state fire marshal may certify to the director of accounts and reports an amount to be transferred from the fire marshal fee fund to the emergency response fund of the state fire marshal, which amount shall not exceed the amount necessary to bring the balance of the emergency response fund to $500,000. The director of accounts and reports shall transfer the amount certified by the state fire marshal from the fire marshal fee fund to the emergency response fund of the state fire marshal.