FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 5454

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: Allowing fire protection district annexations and mergers within a reasonable geographic proximity and eliminating cross-county restrictions for annexations to a fire protection district.

Background: Fire Protection Districts. Fire protection districts (districts) are municipal corporations created to provide fire and emergency services in locations outside of cities and towns. Districts are governed by a board of three, five, or seven elected fire commissioners.

Annexation. A district may annex an adjacent city or town if that city or town has a population of 300,000 or fewer. If a city or town is located in two counties and at least 80 percent of the population resides in one county, the portion with 80 percent of the population may annex to a district. In order to annex, that partial city must have a population between 5000 and 10,000 people and be adjacent to the district. Annexation requires a majority vote of approval from both city and district voters.

Merger. Adjacent districts may merge with each other. A merger may occur if three-fifths of electors residing in the merging district sign a petition to merge, or by a majority vote of approval by the merging district's electors.

Summary: A city or town may annex to a district, or a district may merge with another district, if located within a reasonable proximity to that district—rather than adjacent. All references, procedures, and requirements that authorized a district to annex a partial city or town located in two counties are eliminated.

Reasonable proximity means geographical areas near enough to each other so that governance, management, and services can be delivered effectively.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate	47	2
House	83	14	(House amended)
Senate	47	1	(Senate concurred)