FINAL BILL REPORT
SSB 5766
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. |
C 174 L 12
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Addressing fire protection district commissioners.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Roach and Pridemore).
Senate Committee on Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections
House Committee on Local Government
Background: A fire protection district is a political subdivision of the state, typically located in an unincorporated area, with responsibility to provide fire prevention and suppression services and emergency medical response. A fire protection district has all the powers and duties of a municipal corporation, including taxation, eminent domain, and the authority to enter into contracts.
The affairs of a fire protection district are managed by a board of fire commissioners composed of three registered voters residing in the district. If the three-member board determines by resolution that it is in the best interest of the district to increase the number of commissioners from three to five, or if the board is presented with a petition signed by 10 percent of the registered voters residing within the district, the board must submit a resolution to the county legislative authority, requesting that an election be held to determine whether the number of the commissioners should be increased.
If voters approve a ballot proposition authorizing the creation of commissioner districts, three-commissioner districts must be created for a fire protection district with three commissioners, and five-commissioner districts must be created for a fire protection district with five commissioners.
Summary: The board of fire commissioners for a fire protection district with an annual budget of $10 million or more may increase the number of commissioners to seven.
The process for filling positions is enumerated in the act.
When a board of fire commissioners that has commissioner districts has been increased to seven, the board of fire commissioners must divide the fire protection district into seven-commissioner districts before it appoints the additional fire commissioners.
Fire commissioner districts can decrease the size of their board by resolution or by election from seven to five or five to three.
Votes on Final Passage:
Senate | 47 | 0 | |
House | 97 | 0 | (House amended) |
Senate | 47 | 0 | (Senate concurred) |
Effective: | June 7, 2012 |