Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Local Government Committee |
HB 2278
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: Concerning interlocal agreements for ambulance services between fire protection districts and contiguous cities.
Sponsors: Representatives Takko, Chandler and Ryu.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/22/14
Staff: Ethan Moreno (786-7386).
Background:
Fire protection districts (fire districts) are created to provide fire and emergency services to protect life and property in locations outside of cities and towns. A fire district may be established through a process involving a petition by the residents of a proposed district, a public hearing, and voter approval. Fire districts are governed by a board of three or five elected commissioners, and are authorized to impose property taxes, benefit charges, or both.
Fire districts in rural areas may enter into contracts with contiguous cities for the furnishing of emergency medical services (in the form of ambulance services) by the city to the fire district. The term "rural," as used in these ambulance service provisions, means a population density within the fire district or districts, as a whole, of 10 or fewer persons per square mile.
The contract for the furnishing of ambulance services to the fire district must be executed under the Interlocal Cooperation Act, a statutory scheme that authorizes public agencies (a term that includes fire districts) to contract with one another to provide services either through cooperative action or when one or more agencies pay another for a service. The contract between the fire district and the city, however, may not provide for the establishment of an ambulance service that would compete with an existing, private ambulance service.
Fire protection districts may impose a monthly utility service charge on each developed residential property located in the portion of the fire district or districts served under the contract. The amount of the service charge must be at a rate equal to the amount imposed by the city on similar city-developed residential property. Additionally, a city providing ambulance services to a fire district or districts under a contract may charge individuals actually using the ambulance services reasonable rates and charges for the services.
Summary of Bill:
All fire districts, rather than only fire districts in qualifying rural areas, may enter into contracts with a contiguous city for the furnishing of ambulance services by the city to the fire district. An applicable definition of "rural" is deleted.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.