Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research		 BILL
ANALYSIS
Appropriations Committee

SB 6119

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Changing the distribution to and allocation of the fire service training account.

Sponsors: Senators Eide, Keiser, Marr, Jacobsen, Franklin, Benton and Rasmussen.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Increases the amount of funding deposited into the Fire Service Training Account to 35 percent of all the moneys received by the state from fire insurance premiums.
  • Directs that 28.5 percent of the funding received from fire insurance premiums in the Fire Service Training Account be allocated for a firefighter joint apprenticeship training program.

Hearing Date:

Staff: Alex MacBain (786-7288).

Background:

The Fire Service Training Account (Account) was established in 1986 to fund fire training activities. Distributions from the Account reimburse fire districts and city fire departments for training activities and fund training activities at the Fire Training Academy (Academy).

The Account receives revenue from two sources: (1) training fees paid to the Washington State Patrol by local fire services and other entities for training at the Academy; and (2) a portion of the premium taxes paid on fire insurance premiums. The premium taxes paid on fire insurance premiums are generally distributed as follows:

40 percent–Volunteer Firemen's Relief and Pension Fund
25 percent–cities with full-time fire departments
20 percent–Fire Service Training Account
15 percent–state General Fund

The distribution to the Account was $2.4 million in fiscal year 2005 and $2.6 million in fiscal year 2006.

Summary of Bill:

The portion of state fire insurance premium tax deposited in the Account is increased to 35 percent, and the 15 percent distribution to the state General Fund is eliminated.

Of the fire insurance premium funds in the Account, 28.5 percent is allocated for a Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Training Program (Program). Estimated allocations for the Program are $1.3 million in fiscal year 2008 and $1.4 million in fiscal year 2009.

Obsolete provisions related to allowable expenditures from the account in the current biennium are deleted.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.