HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2282

BYRepresentatives Jones, Sayan, Zellinsky, D. Sommers, Rector, Holland, Anderson, Crane, Inslee, Haugen, Todd, Kremen and Pruitt

Providing funding for county fire marshal programs.

House Committe on Local Government

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (12)

      Signed by Representatives Haugen, Chair; Cooper, Vice Chair; Kirby, Horn, Nealey, Nutley, Phillips, Raiter, Rayburn, Wolfe, Wood and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Steve Lundin (786-7127)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT JANUARY 24, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Receipts from the state's excise taxes imposed on fire insurance premiums are distributed as follows: (1) 40 percent is placed into the volunteer fire fighters pension fund; (2) 45 percent is distributed to cities and fire protection districts that had fire fighters covered by the old city fire fighters pension fund that existed prior to the establishment of the law enforcement officers and fire fighters (LEOFF) retirement system; and (3) the remaining 15 percent is retained in the state general fund.

The state building code establishes certain building-type codes to be effective in all counties, cities, and towns.  One of these codes is the uniform fire code.  Provisions of the uniform fire code refer to a local office referred to as a fire marshal.  Counties either have established a fire marshal's office or assigned the duties for a fire marshal to an employee who performs several functions.  Pursuant to an interlocal agreement or contract with the county, a fire protection district may assume the responsibility of enforcing the uniform fire code in the unincorporated area of the county.

An assistant director of the department of community development, referred to as the director of fire protection, takes certain actions in the name of the director of the department of community development with regard to fire protection.

SUMMARY:

Ten percent of the receipts from the state's excise tax on fire insurance premiums is distributed by the state treasurer to the department of community development on or before the first day of June of each year for the purpose of funding county fire marshal programs.

The director of fire protection of the department of community development is required to develop a plan to distribute these moneys, which shall take into consideration various factors, including, the availability of fire marshal services, standards for county fire marshal activities, and the adequacy of local building and fire safety codes.  Distributions shall not supplant other local revenues used for county fire marshal purposes.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 24, 1990.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Representative Evan Jones, Prime Sponsor; Gary Lowe, Washington State Association of Counties.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    These are important programs.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.