SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SSB 5284

                AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 4, 1993

Brief Description:  Authorizing city councilmembers to serve as reserve police officers.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Government Operations (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen and McAuliffe)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5284 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.  

     Signed by Senators Haugen, Chairman; Drew, Vice Chairman; Loveland, Oke, Owen, von Reichbauer, and Winsley.

Staff:  Eugene Green (786‑7405)

Hearing Dates: February 5, 1993; February 9, 1993

BACKGROUND:

The legislative body of any city or town may, by unanimous vote, authorize any of its members to serve as volunteer firemen and to receive any compensation, insurance or other benefits available to such volunteers. 

It would be consistent to extend the scope of this authority to allow members to also serve as reserve law enforcement officers.  A unanimous vote is often difficult to obtain.  The term "firemen" should be updated to "firefighters".

SUMMARY:

The legislative body of any city or town may, by two-thirds vote, authorize any of its members to serve as volunteer firefighters or reserve law enforcement officers.  Such members will receive the same compensation, insurance and other benefits received by other volunteer firefighters or reserve law enforcement officers employed by the city or town.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Especially in small cities and towns, flexibility is needed to utilize all available citizenry.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Colleen Johnson, Snoqualmie City Council (pro); Kathrin Osborne, Snoqualmie Parent Committee (pro); Reta Lessard (pro); Stan Finkelstein, AWC (pro)