HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1193

                       As Passed House

                        March 6, 1991

Title:  An act relating to fire commissioners serving as volunteer fire fighters.

Brief Description:  Modifying compensation conditions for fire commissioners who serve as volunteer fire fighters.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Zellinsky, Franklin, Nealey, Haugen, Bray, Wynne, Cooper, Rayburn, Winsley, R. Meyers and Scott.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Local Government, February 13, 1991, DP;

Passed House, March 6, 1991, 97-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 12 members:  Representatives Haugen, Chair; Cooper, Vice Chair; Bray; Edmondson; Franklin; Nealey; Nelson; Rayburn; Roland; Wood; Wynne; and Zellinsky.

Minority Report: Do not pass.  Signed by 3 members:  Representatives Ferguson, Ranking Minority Member; Mitchell, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; and Horn. 

Staff:  Steve Lundin (786-7127).

Background:  The board of commissioners of a fire protection district can authorize any of its members to serve the district as a volunteer fire fighter if the resolution authorizing this service is approved by a unanimous vote.  Such a commissioner serves as a volunteer fire fighter without receiving compensation for being a volunteer fire fighter.

Summary of Bill:  The resolution that a board of commissioners of a fire protection district adopts authorizing one of its members to serve as a volunteer fire fighter need only be approved by a simple majority vote, instead of a unanimous vote.

The prohibition on a commissioner who serves as a volunteer fire fighter, from receiving compensation for the volunteer work, does not include reimbursement for expenses.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Presently, two fire commissioners can authorize the purchase of a $200,000 fire truck, but a commissioner cannot serve as a volunteer fireman without a unanimous vote of the board. 

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  (Testified in favor.)  Roger Ferris, Washington Fire Commissioners Association; and Otto Jensen, Washington State Association of Fire Chiefs.  (Gary Gabelein, fire commissioner, submitted written testimony in support.)