SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1162

BYRepresentatives Hine, G. Fisher, Horn, Ferguson and Haugen

Changing provisions relating to cities annexed by fire protection districts.

House Committe on Local Government

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 21, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Thorsness, Vice Chairman; Conner, Sutherland.

Senate Staff:Sam Thompson (786-7754)

                  March 21, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, MARCH 21, 1989

BACKGROUND:

When a city annexes or incorporates into a fire protection district, that territory is removed from the district.  Annexation laws provide that the assets of a district will vest in a city if the annexed or incorporated territory represents more than 60 percent of the assessed value of the district.  The city must make a specified proportionate payment for the assets.  If the annexed or incorporated territory represents less than 60 percent of the assessed value of the district, the district retains ownership of its assets.  It must, however, pay a specified proportionate payment to the city.

Post-annexation or incorporation payments by a city to a district or vice-versa may be in the form of cash, properties or contracts for fire protection services.

A special annexation procedure enables a fire protection district to annex all the territory within a city.  It is unclear whether territory annexed by a city will be included within the fire protection district that had previously annexed the city.

SUMMARY:

Territory that is annexed by a city will automatically be included within a fire protection district if the district had previously annexed the city.

If a city that has been annexed by a fire protection district subsequently annexes territory included within another fire protection district, the first fire protection district is subject to the same laws concerning transfer of assets and payments for assets applying to cities.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Representative Lorraine Hine (pro); Stan Finkelstein, Association of Washington Cities (pro); Richard Kennedy, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Des Moines (pro)