SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5369

                As Passed Senate, March 7, 1995

Title:  An act relating to merger of fire protection districts.

Brief Description:  Allowing a majority vote to authorize merger of fire protection districts.

Sponsors:  Senators Haugen and Winsley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  2/9/95, 2/14/95 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/7/95, 49-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Sheldon, Vice Chair; Drew, Hale, Heavey, McCaslin and Winsley.

Staff:  Eugene Green (786-7405)

Background:  A fire protection district may merge with an adjacent fire protection district.  The district desiring to merge with another district is called the "merging district."  A petition to merge must be filed by the merging district with the merger district.  If the merger district approves the petition, the merging district requests the county auditor to call a special election for the purpose of presenting the question of merging the districts to the voters of the merging district.  If three-fifths of the votes cast at the election favor the merger, the respective district boards adopt concurrent resolutions that declare the districts merged under the name of the merger district.  Partial mergers between two fire protection districts require only a majority vote.

Summary of Bill:  The requirement for a supermajority vote to approve a merger of fire protection districts is eliminated.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill will facilitate more mergers which will add to the efficiency of the delivery of fire protection services.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Roger Ferris, WA Fire Comm. Assoc.