FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6415

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.

Background: Fire Districts. A fire protection district is a type of special purpose district created to provide fire prevention, fire suppression, and emergency medical services within a district's boundaries. Districts serve residents outside of cities or towns, except when cities and towns have been annexed into a district or when the district continues to provide service to a newly incorporated area.

Fire District Benefit Charges. A fire protection district may impose benefit charges on property within the district to finance its activities. Benefit charges may be imposed for up to six years if voters of the fire protection district approve a ballot proposition authorizing imposition of these benefit charges by at least a 60 percent majority vote.

A fire protection district may continue to impose benefit charges for another period up to six years, if approved by a simple majority vote. A district loses the authority to impose the third $0.50 property tax levy if it imposes benefit charges, and the benefit charge may not generate more than 60 percent of the district's operating budget.

Summary: Fire protection districts and regional fire protection service authorities are authorized to impose a permanent benefit charge, when seeking authorization for the continued imposition of a benefit charge, with approval by at least 60 percent of the voters of the district or authority. Fire protection districts and regional fire protection service authorities are authorized to impose a ten-year benefit charge, when seeking authorization for the continued imposition of a benefit charge, with approval by a majority of the voters of the district or authority.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate	46	1
House	72	25