SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5018

                        AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 4, 1991

Brief Description:  Authorizing an additional tax levy for emergency medical service districts.

SPONSORS:Senators L. Smith, Sutherland, Conner, Bauer and Snyder.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

     Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Roach, Vice Chairman; Madsen, Matson, and Sutherland. 

Staff:  Eugene Green (786‑7405)

Hearing Dates:January 24, 1991

BACKGROUND:

A county legislative authority may adopt an ordinance creating an emergency medical service district in all or a portion of the unincorporated area of the county.  The members of the county legislative authority are the governing body of the district.  An emergency medical service district may impose a regular property tax of 25 cents or less per $1,000 of assessed value of property in the taxing district for six consecutive years.  This regular property tax must be approved by a super-majority of at least three-fifths of the electors.  For some emergency medical service districts, this 25-cent regular property tax is insufficient to cover very basic services.  Unlike many other special districts, emergency medical service districts do not have statutory authority to ask voters for an excess levy.

SUMMARY:

An excess levy for emergency medical service districts is authorized.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

The few emergency medical services districts which exist cover extensive rural areas urgently requiring service, but do not have a sufficient revenue base to support operations.  Although the largest of these districts does contract with two fire districts, the major service area does not benefit the fire districts.  Private ambulance operators support the bill, so long as the emphasis is on rural service areas.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Chuck Williams, Clark County; Tow McDowell, North Country Emergency Medical Service District (Cowlitz and Clark Counties); Susie Tracy, Washington Ambulance Assn.