SB 6119

HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 6119

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.

As Passed House - Amended:
April 6, 2007

Title: An act relating to changing the distribution to and allocation of the fire service training account.

Brief Description: Changing the distribution to and allocation of the fire service training account.

Sponsors: By Senators Eide, Keiser, Marr, Jacobsen, Franklin, Benton and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Appropriations: 3/29/07, 3/31/07 [DPA].

Floor Activity:

Passed House - Amended: 4/6/07, 94-0.

Brief Summary of Bill
(As Amended by House)

Provides that General Fund-State funds appropriated into the Fire Service Training Account are allocated solely for the Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Training Program.

Allows the Washington State Patrol to contract with an outside entity for the administration and delivery of the Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Training Program.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 33 members: Representatives Sommers, Chair; Dunshee, Vice Chair; Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Haler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Buri, Chandler, Cody, Conway, Darneille, Dunn, Ericks, Fromhold, Grant, Haigh, Hinkle, Hunt, Hunter, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Kretz, Linville, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Morrell, Pettigrew, Priest, Schual-Berke, Seaquist and P. Sullivan.

Staff: Alex MacBain (786-7288).

Background:

The Fire Service Training Account (Account) was established in 1986 to fund fire training activities. Distributions from the Account reimburse fire districts and city fire departments for training activities and fund training activities at the Fire Training Academy (Academy).

The Account receives revenue from two sources: (1) training fees paid to the Washington State Patrol by local fire services and other entities for training at the Academy; and (2) a portion of the premium taxes paid on fire insurance premiums. The premium taxes paid on fire insurance premiums are generally distributed as follows:

40 percent–Volunteer Firemen's Relief and Pension Fund;
25 percent–cities with full-time fire departments;
20 percent–Fire Service Training Account; and
15 percent–General Fund.

The distribution to the Account was $2.4 million in Fiscal Year 2005 and $2.6 million in Fiscal Year 2006.

Summary of Amended Bill:

Appropriated General Fund-State funds may be deposited into the Fire Service Training Account (Account), and must be allocated solely for the Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Training Program (Program).

The Washington State Patrol may contract with the Washington State Fire Fighters Apprenticeship Trust or another outside entity for the administration and delivery of the Program. The contract may call for payments on a monthly basis.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available. New fiscal note requested on April 2, 2007.

Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed. However, the bill is null and void unless funded in the budget.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In Support) This bill transfers money derived from the state fire insurance premium tax. Fifteen percent of these moneys currently go to the State General Fund and we are trying to keep that money for the Fire Service Training Account to help establish the Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Training Council. The additional funding would also help the Fire Service Training Account that is used to help train not just career firefighters but volunteer firefighters as well.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Kelly Fox, Washington State Council of Fire Fighters.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.