FINAL BILL REPORT
SHB 1313
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. |
C 40 L 15
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Granting fire protection districts and regional fire protection service authorities biennial budget authority.
Sponsors: House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Zeiger, Fey, Stambaugh, Takko, Van De Wege, Stokesbary, Griffey and Reykdal).
House Committee on Local Government
Senate Committee on Government Operations & Security
Background:
Fire Protection Districts.
Fire protection districts (fire districts) are created to provide fire and emergency services to protect life and property in locations outside of cities and towns. A fire district may be established through a process involving a petition by the residents of a proposed district, a public hearing, and voter approval. Fire districts are governed by a board of three or five elected commissioners and are authorized to impose property taxes, benefit charges, or both.
Each year, fire districts are obligated to prepare and certify district budgets and to deliver the budgets to the applicable county legislative authority or authorities in ample time for the levying of fire district taxes.
Regional Fire Protection Service Authorities.
Regional fire protection service authorities (RFAs) may be created as separate taxing districts charged with providing regional fire protection and emergency services within their jurisdictional boundaries. An RFA is formed when elected officials from two or more adjacent fire protection jurisdictions develop a plan for the creation, financing, and operation of an RFA that is subsequently approved by voters within the proposed RFA. The governing body of an RFA is determined by provisions in the plan calling for its creation. An RFA may impose property taxes, benefit charges, or both.
Provisions governing RFAs do not include mandates or authorizations related to the frequency with which budgets must or may be adopted.
Summary:
In lieu of adopting only annual budgets, fire districts and RFAs may adopt biennial budgets with mid-biennium reviews and modifications for the second year of the biennium.
Votes on Final Passage:
House | 97 | 0 | |
Senate | 45 | 0 |
Effective: | July 24, 2015 |