SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 6276

              As Passed Senate, February 7, 2000

Title:  An act relating to authorizing inclusion of cities and towns within emergency medical service districts.

Brief Description:  Authorizing inclusion of cities and towns within emergency medical service districts.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  1/19/2000, 1/24/2000 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 2/7/2000, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6276 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Patterson, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Hale, Haugen, Horn and McCaslin.

Staff:  Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background:  The county legislative authority may create an emergency medical service district by ordinance.  The district may include all or part of the unincorporated area of the county.  The district is a quasi-municipal corporation with constitutional taxing authority to provide emergency medical services within the boundaries of the district.

The taxing authority of the district extends up to 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value of property in the district.  The exercise of this taxing authority requires a majority vote of at least three-fifths of the registered voters of the district.

Summary of Bill:  An emergency medical service district is permitted to include all or part of incorporated cities and towns located within the county.  The governing body of the city or town must approve the inclusion by ordinance and the district=s governance may be as provided by interlocal agreement.  The registered voters of the district are the registered voters residing within the district.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill will prevent the necessity for multiple EMS levies.  It allows a willing partnership among counties and cities to economize and provide quality emergency services.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Sid Snyder (pro); Pat Hamilton, Pacific County (pro).