Title: An act relating to volunteer ambulance personnel.

Brief Description: Authorizing members of legislative bodies to serve as volunteer ambulance personnel.

Sponsors: Senators Hargrove and Shin.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 1/24/05 [DP].

Passed Senate: 3/15/05, 46-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Kastama, Chair; Berkey, Vice Chair; Fairley, Haugen, Kline, Mulliken, Pridemore and Roach.

Staff: Cindy Fazio (786-7405)

Background: The legislative members of a city operating under the Optional Municipal Code have authority to serve as volunteer fire fighters or reserve law enforcement officers, or both.

Members of a city operating under the Cities and Towns Code have authority to act as volunteer ambulance personnel, volunteer fire fighters, reserve law enforcement officers, or all three.

Summary of Bill: The legislative body of a city operating under the Optional Municipal Code may authorize its members to serve as volunteer ambulance personnel, volunteer fire fighters, reserve law enforcement officers, or all three.

This language is identical to that authorizing the same activities for members of cities and towns operating under the Cities and Towns Code.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: In small jurisdictions, it is important that city government members can act as city officials and as members of volunteer services such as fire, ambulance and law enforcement.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Ron Malizia, Deputy Director, Grays Harbor County, Department of Central Services.

Signed In/Did Not Testify: PRO: Victoria Lincoln, Association of Washington Cities.