LEGISLATURE PASSES HALFWAY MARK
The 2008 legislative session has passed the halfway mark of 30 days and both fiscal and policy committee cut-off dates have passed. The majority of time from today through Tuesday, February 19 will be in caucus and floor action. Some bills have been deleted from this week's report due to failing to make it out of committee prior to cut-off. 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.
SHB 1622: This bill revises boundary review board authority and provides unilateral authority to expand/adjust the boundary of a proposed annexation to include all land located within an unincorporated urban growth area (which is not included in the annexation petition). WFCA strongly opposes as written. Rules.
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. House Second Reading Calendar. WFCA opposes.
HB 2938: THIS IS THE WFCA'S NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR THE 2008 SESSION. This bill identifies that both cities and fire districts are the most appropriate providers of urban fire services and directs that cities and fire districts negotiate an agreement within the annexed area. If the parties are unable to reach an agreement, then the district will continue to provide service and the city will pay the district an amount equal to the amount the district received prior to the annexation. The last section provides for the repeal of all asset transfers from a fire district to a city. Rules.
HB 2554/SB 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. Single year lid lifts are presumed to be permanent. This bill applies to multi-year lid lifts approved on or after the effective date of the act. WFCA does not oppose as written. Rules.
HB 2554 and SB 6641 are in Rules.
SB 6417: This bill would provide that a permanent emergency medical service levy may be increased up to six percent per year. This will require a constitutional amendment.
Appears dead. WFCA supports.
NOTE: There are over 40 property tax bills that have been introduced addressing issues such as banking, property tax rebates, credits, exemptions, annual tax revaluations and assessed valuation freezes.
The WFCA continues to monitor numerous health care proposals that may affect local government employers for financial and/or administrative impacts. We also continue to monitor the paid family leave issue as the legislature attempts to fund the program created last year. Currently, we do not see any legislation that will adversely impact delivery of health care services.
2SSB 5271: A bill that would eliminate the March and April special elections. A compromise has been reached and 2SSB 5271 is in Rules.
HB 2962/SSB 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. HB 2962 appears dead and SSB 6573 passed Senate Ways and Means Committee. Rules. WFCA supports as written. The Senate committee amendments provide for incremental increases in funding through the year 2015 with the $50 million being implemented in 2015.
SSB 6704: This bill would require public agencies to post special meetings at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting on the agency's website. Any violation would be a civil penalty of $100. The WFCA opposes this bill. Passed Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee with amendments to make the bill better; however, WFCA still has concerns. Rules.
HB 3292: This bill would require public agencies, including fire districts, to make a verbatim recording of the complete executive session and to retain it for two years. These recordings are not subject to public inspection except by a court order brought by the party challenging the validity of the executive session. A court judge will review the tape and, without divulging to the plaintiff or its counsel, shall determine if any part of the executive session is inappropriate. Any part ruled as public record may be ordered disclosed as a public document. Rules. WFCA opposes as written.
SB 5420: This is a bill introduced last year which requires that all public agencies that own or maintain a website shall post an agenda 72 hours prior to a regular meeting and within 24 hours of all special or emergency meetings. Minutes of all special or regular meetings shall be posted within 15 days after the meeting, whether minutes are draft or approved. Other mandates, including monetary penalties, are also included in the current legislation. SB 5420 has been referred to the green sheet in Rules. WFCA opposes.
SB 5432: This is a 2007 WFCA proposal which provides authority for fire district boards of commissioners to expand from five to seven members with voter approval. SB 5432 passed the Senate on February 13 on a 49-0 vote. We expect the bill to be referred to House Local Government Committee. WFCA supports.
2SSB 5642: This is the safe cigarette legislation developed and introduced by the Washington Fire Chiefs last year. The WFCA supports. Rules.
HB 2790/SB 5505: This bill establishes and funds CBRNE (hazardous materials) teams on a statewide basis. WFCA supports. SB 5505 is in Senate Ways & Means Committee. It is my opinion that this bill will continue to be alive after cut-off subject to reconsideration by the legislature.
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!
