SENATE BILL REPORT

                  ESCR 8404

                 As Reported By Committee On:

            Government Operations, January 10, 1996

Brief Description:  Establishing a joint select committee on fire suppression.

Sponsors:  Senators Kohl, Gaspard, Pelz, Winsley, Franklin, Snyder, Sutherland, Haugen, Sheldon, Prentice, Deccio, C. Anderson and Bauer.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  2/28/95, 3/1/95 [DP]; 1/10/96 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 4/4/96, 46-0.

First Special Session:Passed Senate, 5/16/95, 44-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 8404 be substituted therefor, and the substitute concurrent resolution do pass.

  Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Sheldon, Vice Chair; Goings, McCaslin and Winsley.

Staff:  Eugene Green (786-7405)

Background:  The concurrent resolution states, in part: 

  Many of Washington's existing residential and commercial building structures do not have adequate fire prevention and fire suppression devices;

  Residents of Washington have suffered significant life and property loss in fires occurring in buildings not equipped with fire extinguishing systems; and

  There has been little progress by local jurisdictions to address this issue.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  A Joint Select Committee on Fire Suppression is established to investigate, review, and make recommendations to the Legislature and Governor regarding ways that government, fire protection services, and the private sector can work cooperatively to reduce financial and administrative burdens on retrofitting existing building structures with automatic fire extinguishing systems.

The committee consists of four voting members, one from each caucus of the Senate and House of Representatives.  The State Fire Marshal is an ex-officio nonvoting member. 

Senate Committee Services and Office of Program Research provide staffing to the committee.  All expenses and hiring of additional staff are subject to legislative approval.

The committee reports its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by January 1, 1997.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The committee is reduced from two members from each caucus to one member from each caucus.  The reporting date is changed from January 1, 1996 to January 1, 1997.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Testimony For:  We must not lose any more lives due to lack of sprinklers in older buildings.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Otto Jensen, WA State Association of Fire Chiefs (pro).