FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1917

PARTIAL VETO

C 113 L 95

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Requiring that department of natural resources contract with private entities for emergency response equipment, supplies, and services.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Pennington, Fuhrman, Thompson, Goldsmith, McMorris and Kremen).

House Committee on Natural Resources

Senate Committee on Natural Resources

Background:  The Department of Natural Resources provides support services to its firefighters in the field.  The department owns five large mobile kitchen units, one small kitchen unit, and two mobile shower trailers for use in forest fire suppression efforts.  The department also contracts for use of equipment such as kitchens and showers, laundry services, chemical toilets, and refrigeration trailers.

The Forest Fire Advisory Board represents private and public forest landowners and other interested segments of the public.  The board advises the department on a number of topics relating to the department's policies and expenditures on forest fire prevention and suppression.

Summary:  The Legislature finds that it is frequently in the best interest of the state to utilize fire suppression equipment from private vendors.  By June 1 of each year, the Department of Natural Resources shall establish a list of fire suppression equipment such as portable showers, kitchens, and water tanks provided by the department so that the cost by unit or category can be compared to the expense of utilizing private vendors to provide this equipment.  Before constructing or purchasing any equipment on this list, the department shall compare that cost with the cost of utilizing private equipment.  If utilizing private equipment is more effective and efficient, the department may not construct or purchase the equipment but shall utilize equipment from the lowest responsive bidder.

An additional member is added to the Forest Fire Advisory Board to represent private contractors of fire suppression equipment, supplies, and services.

Votes on Final Passage:

House     95 1

Senate    37 0

Effective:  July 23, 1995

Partial Veto Summary:  The veto removes the provision that added a member to the Forest Fire Advisory Board to represent private contractors of fire suppression equipment.