Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Innovation, Community & Economic Development, & Veterans Committee
HB 1978
Brief Description: Adding special purpose and junior taxing districts to the intrastate mutual aid system.
Sponsors: Representatives Rule, Volz, Ryu and Ramel; by request of Military Department.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Includes special purpose districts and junior taxing districts in the member jurisdictions of the Intrastate Mutual Aid System.
Hearing Date: 1/9/24
Staff: Martha Wehling (786-7067).
Background:

Mutual Aid.


Mutual aid is a term in organizational theory used to signify a voluntary reciprocal exchange of resources and services for mutual benefit.  In emergency services, mutual aid is an agreement among emergency responders to lend assistance across jurisdictional boundaries.  This may occur due to an emergency response that exceeds local resources, such as a disaster or multiple-alarm fire.  Mutual aid may be ad hoc and requested only when such an emergency occurs.  It may also be a formal standing agreement for cooperative emergency management on a continuing basis, such as ensuring that resources are dispatched from the nearest fire station, regardless of which side of the jurisdictional boundary the incident is on.  Various state and local governmental entities in Washington are involved in emergency management and preparedness.

 

Intrastate Mutual Aid System.


Washington's Intrastate Mutual Aid System was established in 2011 to provide mutual assistance in an emergency among political subdivisions and federally recognized Indian tribes that choose to participate.  Member jurisdictions may request mutual assistance for:  (1) response, mitigation, or recovery activities related to an emergency; or (2) participation in drills or exercises in preparing for an emergency.

 

Member Jurisdictions.


Member jurisdictions of the Intrastate Mutual Aid System include political subdivisions and certain federally recognized Indian tribes.  Political subdivisions are member jurisdictions unless the jurisdiction provides a resolution or ordinance to the Military Department electing not to participate in the Intrastate Mutual Aid System.  Membership includes every county, city, and town and since 2016, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.
Summary of Bill:

Special purpose districts and junior taxing districts are included as member jurisdictions of the Intrastate Mutual Aid System.  A special purpose district or junior taxing district that elects not to participate in the Intrastate Mutual Aid System will be released from membership after providing the Military Department with a resolution or ordinance.

 

Special purpose districts include municipal and quasi-municipal corporations other than counties, cities, and towns, including water-sewer districts, fire protection districts, port districts, public utility districts, county park and recreation service areas, flood control zone districts, diking districts, drainage improvement districts, and solid waste collection districts.  Industrial development districts created by port districts, local improvement districts, utility local improvement districts, and road improvement districts are not special purpose districts.

 

Junior taxing districts include all taxing districts other than the state, counties, road districts, cities, towns, port districts, and public utility districts.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 2, 2024.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.