HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB
1193
As Passed House
January 28, 1992
Title: An act relating to fire commissioners serving as volunteer fire fighters.
Brief Description: Modifying compensation conditions for fire commissioners who serve as volunteer fire fighters.
Sponsor(s): Representatives Zellinsky, Franklin, Nealey, Haugen, Bray, Wynne, Cooper, Rayburn, Winsley, R. Meyers and Scott.
Brief History:
Reported by House Committee on:
Local Government, February 13, 1991, DP;
Passed House, March 6, 1991, 97-0;
Passed House, January 28, 1992, 95-0.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 12 members: Representatives Haugen, Chair; Cooper, Vice Chair; Bray; Edmondson; Franklin; Nealey; Nelson; Rayburn; Roland; Wood; Wynne; and Zellinsky.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 3 members: Representatives Ferguson, Ranking Minority Member; Mitchell, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; and Horn.
Staff: Steve Lundin (786-7127).
Background: The board of commissioners of a fire protection district can authorize any of its members to serve the district as a volunteer fire fighter if the resolution authorizing this service is approved by a unanimous vote. Such a commissioner serves as a volunteer fire fighter without receiving compensation for being a volunteer fire fighter.
Summary of Bill: The resolution that a board of commissioners of a fire protection district adopts authorizing one of its members to serve as a volunteer fire fighter need only be approved by a simple majority vote, instead of a unanimous vote.
The prohibition on a commissioner who serves as a volunteer fire fighter, from receiving compensation for the volunteer work, does not include reimbursement for expenses.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: Presently, two fire commissioners can authorize the purchase of a $200,000 fire truck, but a commissioner cannot serve as a volunteer fireman without a unanimous vote of the board.
Testimony Against: None.
Witnesses: (Testified in favor.) Roger Ferris, Washington Fire Commissioners Association; and Otto Jensen, Washington State Association of Fire Chiefs. (Gary Gabelein, fire commissioner, submitted written testimony in support.)