Title: An act relating to volunteer ambulance personnel.

Brief Description: Authorizing members of legislative bodies to serve as volunteer ambulance personnel.

Sponsors: By Senators Hargrove and Shin.

Brief History:

Local Government: 3/28/05 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 4/5/05, 91-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Simpson, Chair; Clibborn, Vice Chair; Schindler, Ranking Minority Member; Ahern, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; B. Sullivan and Takko.

Staff: Kathryn Leathers (786-7114).

Background:

The legislative body of a city operating under the Optional Municipal Code may authorize, by resolution adopted by a two-thirds vote of the full legislative body, any of its members to serve as volunteer fire fighters or reserve law enforcement officers, or both. In addition to serving as volunteer fire fighters and reserve law enforcement officers, the legislative body of a city operating under the Cities and Towns Code may also authorize its members to serve as volunteer ambulance personnel.

Legislative members who are authorized to serve in such capacities are entitled to receive the same compensation, insurance, and any other benefit applicable to non-member volunteers and reservists.

Summary of Bill:

This bill expands the authorization of charter and non-charter code cities to allow its legislative members to serve as volunteer ambulance personnel. The legislative body of such a city may now authorize its members to serve as volunteer ambulance personnel, volunteer fire fighters, reserve law enforcement officers, or all three.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: It is especially important to allow council members in small towns to be able to volunteer their time. Non-code cities allow their legislative body members to volunteer as ambulance personnel. This is a house-cleaning bill because it brings the code cities' language regarding volunteering in line with the current rules for non-code cities.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Ron Malizia, City of Montesano.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.