Every Friday during legislative session a report is posted on this page which provides an update on bills of interest to WFCA members. The following are links to other web pages related to the Legislature:
The 2008 legislative session is heading into the final week. The legislature will adjourn "sine die" on Thursday, March 13. Today (5:00 p.m.) is the cut-off to pass bills out of the opposite house. There are numerous bills that we are supporting and/or opposing that must be considered on the Senate or House floor by the cut-off this afternoon. A full report will be sent on Monday, March 10. Thank you for all of your emails this week in response to our alert. NOTE: Updates from last week are shown in bold type. For additional information on bills, you may access the state legislative homepage at www.leg.wa.gov or call Roger Ferris at 1.800.491.9322.
HB 2483/SB 6283: A bill that will lower the direct annexation petition method for code cities from 75% to 60% of the assessed valuation of the property proposed for annexation. WFCA opposes. WFCA is working on floor amendments to address fiscal impacts of city annexations on fire districts. Rules.
HB 2554/ESSB 6641: This is the technical correction bill requested by the Department of Revenue clarifying that multi-year lid lift ballot propositions must clearly indicate that the taxing districts' levy base will be permanently increased. If the ballot proposition does not indicate that the final levy will be used to compute subsequent year levies, then the levy base increase is presumed to be temporary. This bill applies to multi-year lid lifts approved on or after the effective date of the act. A Senate floor amendment provided that one year lid lifts must state that the taxing districts' levy rate will be used for the purpose of computing future levies WFCA does not oppose. ESSB 6641 passed House 93-0 without further amendments.
SB 6223: This is the "glucagon" bill which the association became involved with after meeting with the WFCA Legislative Committee last month. The original bill mandated that all state licensed ambulances and aid vehicles must have glucagon emergency kits available and all EMTs may administer glucagon to a patient. The House Health Care and Wellness Committee amended the bill to direct the Emergency Services and Trauma Care Steering Committee to make recommendations regarding whether or not EMTs should be authorized to carry and administer glucagon kits. The steering committee must make its recommendation to the Governor and legislature by December 15, 2008. SSB 6223 passed Health Care and Wellness Committee and has been referred to Appropriations Committee. WFCA does not oppose amended study provisions. WFCA did testify with concerns on original bill.
SSB 6223 appears dead as it did not pass out of Appropriations Committee by the March 3 fiscal committee deadline.
ESSB 6573: This is a WSCFF priority bill to increase funding for public safety and would create a local public safety enhancement account (LPSEA). This account would be funded with any increase over 1% in general state revenues (the lesser of one-third or $50 million). One half of the $50 million would be transferred to a benefit improvement account to fund the employer, employee and state costs of financing benefit improvements by the LEOFF 2 Retirement Board. The State Treasurer will be responsible for distribution of the remaining funds in the LPSEA to local governments. Each
jurisdiction's allocation will be based on proportionate share of the LEOFF 2 members it employs. WFCA supports as written. The Senate striker amendments provide for incremental increases in funding through the year 2015 with $25 million being implemented in 2015 biennium.
Passed House Appropriations Committee with striker amendment modifying funding increases. WFCA supports. House Second Reading Calendar.
HB 2110: This bill will allow fire protection districts to use impact fees related to new development for capital improvements. Language is deleted prohibiting fire districts from being eligible for impact fees in urban growth areas. HB 2110 passed Senate Governmental Operations and Elections Committee. WFCA supports. Rules.
2SSB 5642: This is the safe cigarette legislation developed and introduced by the Washington Fire Chiefs last year. The WFCA supports.
Passed House. Referred to Senate for concurrence with House amendment.
NVFC Junior Firefighter Applications Due May 15.
Chief Jim Shields (Poulsbo Fire Department) Retirement Celebration.
New website launched for WFCA Health Care Program.
The Chelan Seminar is May 31st!
