FINAL BILL REPORT

ESHB 2747

C 173 L 12

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Modifying the use of funds in the fire service training account.

Sponsors: House Committee on Capital Budget (originally sponsored by Representative Hansen; by request of Washington State Patrol).

House Committee on Capital Budget

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Background:

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) has authority for: (1) patrolling Washington state highways; (2) providing security for the Governor; (3) operating the Washington State Crime Lab and the Investigative Services Bureau; and (4) appointing the State Fire Marshal.

The State Fire Marshal is responsible for providing fire and life safety inspections in licensed care occupancies including nursing homes, boarding homes, group homes, hospitals, and childcare centers. The State Fire Marshal also may conduct construction plan review on new school construction and when local jurisdictions request assistance. It licenses the fireworks and the fire sprinkler industries, and certifies fire sprinkler industry workers and cigarette manufacturers; trains Washington's fire service, in the field and at the Washington State Fire Training Academy (Academy); and coordinates fire service resources during large fires and disasters through the state's Fire Resource Mobilization Plan.

The Academy is located in North Bend, Washington. The Academy provides training for firefighters and public safety officials as well as private brigades and the maritime industry. The Academy also provides training for hazardous spill cleanup. The facility is comprised of an administrative building, three classrooms, dormitories, and support facilities.

The Fire Services Training Account (Account) consists of: (1) funds received by the WSP for fire service training; (2) all grants and bequests accepted by the WSP; (3) 20 percent of all moneys received by the state on fire insurance premiums; and (4) State General Fund moneys appropriated into the Account by the Legislature.The Account may only be used for fire service training and for contracting with the Washington State Firefighters Apprenticeship Trust for the operation of the Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Training Program. During the 2011-13 biennium, the state capital budget allows funds to be used for school fire prevention activities within the WSP, and for predesign and repairs of the burn building at the Academy.

Summary:

The use of the Account is expanded to include capital projects at the Academy, and school fire prevention activities within the WSP, as long as it does not affect training for volunteer and career firefighters.

Votes on Final Passage: