AN ACT Relating to emergency medical services; amending RCW 84.52.069 and 84.55.035; and adding a new section to chapter 36.32 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 36.32 RCW to read as follows:

County legislative authorities may create by joint resolution approved by a majority vote of each county legislative authority an intercounty emergency medical service district in all or a portion of the unincorporated areas of the counties. The district may be created only after a public hearing has been held on the creation of such a district in each county and the county legislative authorities make findings that it is in the public interest to create the district. The members of the county legislative authorities shall be the governing body of the emergency medical service district.

An intercounty emergency medical service district shall be a quasi-municipal corporation and an independent taxing "authority" within the meaning of Article 7, section 1 of the state Constitution. Intercounty emergency medical service districts shall also be "taxing authorities" within the meaning of Article 7, section 2 of the state Constitution.

An intercounty emergency medical service district shall have the authority to provide emergency medical services.

Sec. 2. Section 1, chapter 200, Laws of 1979 ex. sess. as amended by section 5, chapter 131, Laws of 1984 and RCW 84.52.069 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) As used in this section, "taxing district" means a county, emergency medical service district, intercounty emergency medical service district, city or town, public hospital district, or fire protection district.

(2) A taxing district may impose additional regular property tax levies in an amount equal to twenty-five cents or less per thousand dollars of the assessed value of property in the taxing district in each year for six consecutive years when specifically authorized so to do by a majority of at least three-fifths of the electors thereof approving a proposition authorizing the levies submitted at a general or special election, at which election the number of persons voting "yes" on the proposition shall constitute three-fifths of a number equal to forty per centum of the total votes cast in such taxing district at the last preceding general election when the number of electors voting on the proposition does not exceed forty per centum of the total votes cast in such taxing district in the last preceding general election; or by a majority of at least three-fifths of the electors thereof voting on the proposition when the number of electors voting on the proposition exceeds forty per centum of the total votes cast in such taxing district in the last preceding general election. Ballot propositions shall conform with RCW 29.30.111.

(3) Any tax imposed under this section shall be used only for the provision of emergency medical care or emergency medical services, including related personnel costs, training for such personnel, and related equipment, supplies, vehicles and structures needed for the provision of emergency medical care or emergency medical services.

(4) If a county levies a tax under this section, no taxing district within the county may levy a tax under this section. No other taxing district may levy a tax under this section if another taxing district has levied a tax under this section within its boundaries: PROVIDED, That if a taxing district within a county levies this tax, and the voters of the county subsequently approve a levying of this tax, then the tax levy for emergency medical services shall cease being levied in the taxing district originally levying it and shall be replaced with the county-wide levy. Whenever a tax is levied county-wide, the service shall, insofar as is feasible, be provided throughout the county: PROVIDED FURTHER, That no county-wide levy proposal may be placed on the ballot without the approval of the legislative authority of each city exceeding fifty thousand population within the county: PROVIDED FURTHER, That this section and RCW 36.32.480 shall not prohibit any city or town from levying an annual excess levy to fund emergency medical services.

(5) The tax levy authorized in this section is in addition to the tax levy authorized in RCW 84.52.043.

(6) The limitation in RCW 84.55.010 shall not apply to the first levy imposed pursuant to this section following the approval of such levy by the voters pursuant to subsection (2) of this section.

Sec. 3. Section 5, chapter 218, Laws of 1979 ex. sess. and RCW 84.55.035 are each amended to read as follows:

RCW 84.55.010 shall not apply to the first levy by or for a newly-formed taxing district created other than by consolidation or annexation.

The first levy by an intercounty emergency medical service district shall be considered a newly formed taxing district created other than by consolidation or annexation for purposes of this chapter.

This section shall be retroactive in effect and shall be deemed to validate any levy within its scope, even though the levy has been made prior to June 4, 1979.