Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Local Government & Housing Committee

SSB 5638

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Concerning fire protection district contracts.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Swecker, Haugen, Hewitt, Schoesler and Shin).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Requires that a contract between a fire protection district and another public or private entity contain provisions ensuring that the district receive adequate compensation for any services rendered.

  • Prohibits a fire protection district from providing fire service protection for property outside the boundary of the district without the express consent of the fire protection district where the property is located.

Hearing Date: 3/23/09

Staff: Thamas Osborn (786-7129)

Background:

Fire protection districts (districts) are created to provide fire prevention, fire suppression, and emergency medical services within a district's boundaries. Districts are governed by a board of commissioners consisting of either three or five members. A district shares many of the powers and authorities of other municipal corporations, including those relating to taxation, eminent domain, and the authority to enter into contracts. Districts finance their activities and facilities by imposing regular property taxes, excess voter-approved property tax levies, and benefit charges.

Summary of Bill:

Any contract between a district and another public or private entity must ensure that the district receive adequate compensation for any services rendered by the district. "Adequate compensation" means that the person or entity receiving the services must pay the same amount that would be collected by the district if the property were subject to a fire district levy.

This adequate compensation requirement does not apply to mutual aid agreements, agreements between the district and the Department of Natural Resources, schools, libraries, or where compensation requirements are defined elsewhere in statute.

A district may not provide fire service protection for property outside the boundary of the district without the express consent of the fire protection district where the property is located.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on March 18, 2009.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.