SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5935

As Passed Senate, March 17, 2003

Title: An act relating to consolidation of state declared fire mobilization responsibilities within the Washington state patrol.

Brief Description: Consolidating fire service mobilization responsibilities within the Washington state patrol.

Sponsors: Senators Brandland, Oke, Swecker, Hale, Rasmussen, Schmidt and Winsley; by request of Washington State Patrol.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 3/4/03 [DP].

Passed Senate: 3/17/03, 49-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Stevens, Vice Chair; Fairley, Horn, Kastama, McCaslin and Reardon.

Staff: Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background: The State Fire Protection Policy Board recommends refinements to the Adjutant General as head of the Military Department to improve the state's fire services mobilization plan. This plan is in place and then implemented when a fire, or other emergency, requires a coordinated response from local, regional and state fire protection jurisdictions. The fire mobilization plan is part of the state comprehensive emergency management plan. Emergency Management is a division of the Washington State Military Department.

Summary of Bill: The duties for fire mobilization are transferred from the Military Department to the Washington State Patrol. The Military Department consults with the patrol in developing the procedures to facilitate as prompt as possible reimbursement to the jurisdictions and state agencies mobilized pursuant to the state fire mobilization plan.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: This change streamlines the fire mobilization process, and saves time and state resources. It implements a recommendation made by the 2002 task force to consolidate these functions into one agency. The transition will be seamless and transparent. The patrol's budget is such that, were any wildfire overruns to happen again, the temporary shortages could be better absorbed. All mobilization decisions will continue to be made in concert with OFM. Emergency Management and the Military Department will continue to coordinate fire mobilization so that there will be no overall operational impact.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Glenn Cramer, WSP; General Timothy Lowenberg, Military Dept.; Glen Woodbury, Military Dept. Emergency Management; Mark Kahley, DNR.

House Amendment(s): The House amendment adds to the bill the creation of a state law enforcement mobilization board with law enforcement mobilization plan creation responsibility.