HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5277

BYSenators McCaslin, DeJarnatt and Kreidler

Extending the period for fire district service charges.

House Committe on Local Government

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (9)

      Signed by Representatives Haugen, Chair; Cooper, Vice Chair;  Nealey, Nelson, Nutley, Phillips, Raiter, Rayburn, and Wood.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (3)

      Signed by Representatives Horn, Wolfe and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Steve Lundin (786-7127)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 31, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In 1974, the Legislature granted fire protection districts the authority to impose service charges.  If a fire protection district imposes service charges it may not impose its third regular property tax levy of 50 cents per thousand dollars of assessed valuation.  The service charge is required to be proportioned reasonably to the measurable benefits to property served by the district.

The service charge must be approved by a 60 percent majority of the district voters voting on the proposition.  If approved, the charge may be imposed for up to three years.  The revenue obtained from service charges may not exceed 60 percent of all the revenues of the fire protection district.

Service charges never have been sought nor imposed by any of the fire districts in the state.  Recently, a number of fire protection districts have considered imposing the charge.

SUMMARY:

The maximum period for the imposition of a service charge within a fire protection district is increased from three years to six years after voter approval.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Pete Spiller, Director, Washington Fire Commissioners Association.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Fire districts are in a financial bind.  This will help.  All the bill does is increase from three years to six years the maximum term for which the voters may approve service charges.  This is fair.  Some equity or benefit is the determining factor to measure the service charges.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.