The following bills are updated as of February 1; updates from last week are shown in bold type. I want to thank everyone who attended the Legislative Day last week; your support is appreciated. 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. Rules. 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. The WFCA supports. House Local Government Committee.
HB 2545/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. HB 2545 was heard on January 18 in House Finance Committee. WFCA does not oppose as written. SB 6641 passed Senate Ways & Means Committee. Rules.
HB 2627: This bill will retroactively make multi-year lid lifts temporary that were passed last year. The WFCA opposes 2627. House Finance Committee.
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. Senate Ways & Means Committee. 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. Your Legislative Committee and lobbyists will monitor for financial impact and report on legislation that moves forward.
We anticipate that there will be numerous health care proposals which may affect local government employers. We will be carefully monitoring for financial and/or administrative impacts. Also, we will be monitoring the paid family leave issue as the legislature attempts to fund the program created last year.
HB 1653/SSB 5271: A bill that would eliminate the March and April special elections. A coalition of local governments and the county auditors continue to meet to negotiate a compromise. Monitor. State Government and Tribal Affairs Committee. SSB 5271 passed out of Government Operations and Elections Committee. WFCA does not oppose.
HB 3090/SB 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. House State Government and Tribal Affairs and Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee. SB 6704 is scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday, February 5. WFCA opposes as written.
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. House State Government and Tribal Affairs Committee. WFCA opposes as written.
SB 5418: This bill will require a concise description disclosing the amount the ballot proposition will increase or decrease taxes if the measure has tax implications. Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee. 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. We expect amendments to be offered and the WFCA opposes 5420 as currently written. Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee.
HB 3030: This is the comprehensive local government public works legislation supported by the WFCA, counties, cities, water and sewer districts, and the Washington Fire Chiefs. Fire district public works bid limits would be increased from $2,500 up to $75,000 and would be uniform with other local government entities. All contracts over $75,000 would be subject to the formal sealed bid process. The bill has been referred to State Government and Tribal Affairs Committee. WFCA supports this bill as a top priority.
HB 3032: This is a local government public purchase of goods and equipment bill in which the WFCA is involved. Fire district equipment bid limits would increase from $10,000 to $15,000 without any bid or quote process and the estimated cost is between $15,000 and $75,000. The commissioners may use the vendor resolution process. Anything over $75,000 would have to go to bid. The bill was referred to State Government and Tribal Affairs Committee. WFCA supports.
HB 1822/2SSB 5642: This is the safe cigarette legislation developed and introduced by the Washington Fire Chiefs last year.
2SSB 5642 passed Senate Ways & Means Committee. The WFCA supports. Rules.
HB 2790/SB 5505: This bill establishes and funds CBRNE (hazardous materials) teams on a statewide basis. HB 2790 is scheduled for a hearing on January 28 in Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee. WFCA supports.
On January 31 during a work session in the House Capital Budget Committee, the WFCA testified in support of small, rural fire districts and illustrated the need for state assistance to help districts that do not have the assessed valuation and/or revenue to build stations to house fire apparatus. We will continue to advocate for state assisted funding of rural fire districts.
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!
