HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1024

                    As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to general obligation bonds issued by a fire protection district.

Brief Description:  Extending the maturity date for general obligation bonds issued by fire protection districts.

Sponsors:  Representatives Rayburn, Edmondson, Bray and Dunshee.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Local Government, January 22, 1993, DP;

  Passed House, February 3, 1993, 96-0;

Amended by Senate;

Passed Legislature, April 19, 1993, 96-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 12 members:  Representatives H. Myers, Chair; Bray, Vice Chair; Edmondson, Ranking Minority Member; Reams, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dunshee; R. Fisher; Horn; Rayburn; Romero; Springer; Van Luven; and Zellinsky.

Staff:  Steve Lundin (786-7127).

Background:  Statutes that establish debt limitations for different taxing districts also establish the maximum term of the debt or bonds.  The most common maximum term for both voter approved and non-voter approved general indebtedness is 40 years.

Fire protection districts are authorized to incur both non-voter approved general indebtedness and an overall amount of both voter approved and non-voter approved indebtedness.  The maximum term of non-voter approved general indebtedness that a fire protection district may incur is six years.  The maximum term of voter approved general indebtedness that a fire protection district may incur is 20 years.

Summary of Bill:  The maximum term of non-voter approved general indebtedness that a fire protection district may incur is increased from six years to 20 years.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This modernizes fire district statutes.  Fire trucks have a life expectancy far in excess of 15 years.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Pete Spiller, Washington Fire Commissioners Association.