SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6688

              As Passed Senate, February 11, 2000

Title:  An act relating to fire district benefit charges.

Brief Description:  Modifying fire district benefit charge provisions.

Sponsors:  Senators Goings, Patterson, Haugen and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  State & Local Government:  1/26/2000, 1/27/2000 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/11/2000, 46-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Staff:  Eugene Green (786-7405)

Background:  The board of fire commissioners of a fire protection district may impose a benefit charge on personal property and improvements to real property.  The benefit charge must be reasonably proportioned to the measurable benefits.  The benefit charge may not exceed an amount equal to 60 percent of the fire protection district=s budget.  A fire protection district that imposes a benefit charge may not impose all or part of the third $0.50 property tax.

The benefit charge must be approved by a 60 percent majority of the voters and may be imposed for up to six consecutive years.

Summary of Bill:  If approved by a 60 percent majority of the voters, a benefit charge may be imposed for six consecutive years, ten consecutive years, or permanently.  A fire protection district imposing a permanent benefit charge must provide for a referendum procedure to apply to the resolution imposing the charge.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This is an efficiency measure.  We just want the same opportunity to save money on elections as the Legislature did last year for the EMS levy.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Michael Pretz, Central Pierce Fire and Rescue (pro).