The 2009 legislative session is approaching its first cutoff as bills must be passed out of non-fiscal policy committees by Wednesday, February 25. The major focus continues to be directed at the now projected $8 billion state budget deficit. Look for more information after the February 25 cutoff. Updates from last week are shown in bold type. You may track all bills by logging onto www.leg.wa.gov. If you have any questions, please contact Roger Ferris at 1.800.491.9322 or email rogerf@wfca.wa.gov.
HB 1230: This is a WFCA proposal to increase the fire district bid limits for public works projects from the current $2,500 to $40,000. The $2,500 limit has not been increased for over 20 years. State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee. WFCA strongly supports. NOTE: HB 1230 has been "rolled" into a comprehensive local government bill and is scheduled for executive session today (February 20). It appears that the limit will be lowered to $20,000 for fire districts.
SB 5000: This proposal would amend the State Constitution limiting property tax valuation increases to one percent per year over the base year. Valuation would be reassessed upon resale of property/home. Senate Ways & Means Committee. WFCA opposes. NOTE: There is another bill, SB 5057, which also limits valuation increases.
SB 5143/HB 1318: This legislation would provide for a 106% limit factor for permanent emergency medical services levy. Senate Ways & Means Committee. SB 5143/HB 1318 requires a statewide vote for ratification. WFCA supports.
NOTE: There are over 45 bills related to property tax valuation and limiting future growth. We will monitor and report if movement occurs.
HB 2074: An annexation proposal that would allow a city with a county population of 1.5 million to annex without a vote of the people or signatory of a petition. House Local Government & Housing Committee. WFCA strongly opposes.
HB 2173: This is a similar bill to HB 2074 which pertains only to King County. WFCA opposes HB 2173.
SB 5084/HB 1207: Legislation has been reintroduced to reduce from 75 to 60 percent the amount of assessed valuation required for annexations in first class cities (Spokane and Vancouver). Senate Government Operations & Elections Committee. SB 5084 passed out of committee. Rules.
SHB 1457/SB 5420: This legislation will provide the ability for the Boundary Review Board to modify a proposal of annexation and may adjust boundaries by up to 100%. Senate Government Operations & Elections Committee. WFCA opposes as written. NOTE: This is a holdover bill from the last two years. SHB 1457 passed out of Local Government Committee and has been referred to Rules.
SB 5808: This is the annexation legislation that the WFCA has been in negotiations for months. It provides for notification of fire district employees in changes of employment status as a direct consequence to a city annexation of unincorporated areas. SB 5808 provides for a new annexation process through interlocal agreements with the city and county and states that fire districts shall be involved in negotiations. SB 5808 also provides for a 45-day referendum process for the citizens in the proposed annexation area through the interlocal agreement to force a vote with a 10% petition. Also, prior to this new process moving forward, the fire district has 45 days to either accept or decline negotiations. If a fire district declines, then this process will cease and cannot move forward.
HB 1552: Would mandate that formal public testimony must be allowed prior to passage of any resolution or formal action. House State & Tribal Affairs Committee. WFCA is monitoring.
HB 1676: This legislative proposal is an attempt to find a compromise on the issue of open public meetings. HB 1676 will provide that executive sessions may be recorded. It is not mandated. Procedures would have to be followed. Also, provides limited immunity for self-disclosure of any apparent violations and provide for adoption of model advisory rules and mandate that all governmental elected officials receive training and certification of Open Public Meetings and Records Act. State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee. WFCA will seek clarification on training and is currently monitoring this bill without position.
HB 1784: Authorizes the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) to enforce the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) and the Public Records Act (PRA). The PDC will be provided authority to investigate, review and adjudicate complaints alleging violations of the OPMA and the PRA as well as provide interpretive opinions and provide confidential consultation. State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee. Monitor.
SB 5249: Proposal that would allow a governmental agency to deny a request by a party if the requesting party has an outstanding balance with the governmental entity for unpaid charges for records previously provided. Senate Government Operations & Elections Committee. WFCA supports.
SB 5250: This legislation would increase the authority of a governmental entity to charge up to a maximum of 25 cents per page for photocopies of public records. The current statute provides for a maximum charge of 15 cents per copy. Senate Governmental Operations & Elections Committee. WFCA supports.
SB 5251: A proposal that will enable governmental entities the right to recover per page costs regardless of whether the photocopies are taken by the requestor. Senate Government Operations & Elections Committee. WFCA supports.
SB 5432: This is the local government coalition legislation to address some county funding issues and provides a simple majority vote for emergency medical service levies. This is one of the top priorities from the WFCA legislative issue priority list that we have identified as realistic for passage in 2009. Hearing was held February 18 in Senate Ways & Means Committee. WFCA strongly supports. NOTE: SB 5432 will also eliminate the 40% validation requirement.
WFCA Health Care Manager Jim Lux has been reviewing all health care proposals for potential financial impacts on the WFCA's self-funded program. Issues such as secure exchange of health information, association health care plans, coverage options and tax incentives have been analyzed. One issue that we are taking a very close look at is organ transplants in relation to lifetime benefit limits. We have discussed and reviewed over 25 health care bills and will report if impacts are identified.
SHB 1039/SSB 5010: This is the Washington Fire Chiefs' proposal to establish and fund hazardous materials response teams around the state. Senate Government Operations Committee. The funding mechanism will be very difficult to identify due to the large state budget deficit. WFCA supports. SHB 1039 passed Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Committee. Referred to House Ways & Means Committee.
HB 1015/SSB 5011: This legislation received very favorable press/media coverage. HB 1015/SB 5010 will prohibit the sale of "novelty" lighters, those shaped like cartoon characters, toys, musical instruments and other items that are attractive to children. NOTE: This legislation does not ban disposable cigarette lighters that do not meet the definition of novelty lighter. WFCA supports. SSB 5011 passed out of Senate Labor & Commerce Committee. Rules.
HB 1057: This proposal, sponsored by Rep. Ed Orcutt, would mandate that any property tax ballot measure must include an estimate of the financial impact on the first year of the levy in comparison to the district's last levy stated both in dollar and percentage increase. The ballot language maximum would be increased from a 75 word maximum to 100. House Finance Committee. WFCA has concerns.
HB 1080: This legislation is prime-sponsored by Rep. Geoff Simpson and provides impact fee authority for fire protection districts. We expect heavy opposition from the home builders. Rules. WFCA supports.
HB 1196: A local government associations' joint proposal to increase the small works roster dollar limit from $200,000 to $300,000 for construction, building, renovation, repair or improvement of real property. House Second Reading Calendar. WFCA supports.
HB 1609: This legislation revises current family and medical leave provisions and requires employers to pay a premium of two cents per individual for each hour worked up to a maximum of 40 hours per week to the Employment Security Department to be deposited into the family leave and medical leave insurance account. Each employer may deduct the pay from the individual for the full amount that the employer is required to pay. Certain factors of the bill will be forwarded for a statewide vote. House Commerce & Labor Committee.
HB 1932: This legislative proposal expands the presumptive disease statutes for paid firefighters to include esophageal cancer and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as MRSA. House Labor & Commerce Committee. Monitor.
HB 2151/SB 5994: This is Governor Gregoire's request legislation that will eliminate over 60 boards, commissions and advisory committees. Included on the list for elimination by June 30, 2010 is the EMS & Trauma Care Steering Committee, Emergency Management Council, Fire Protection Policy Board and others. Bill has been referred to State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee. WFCA will assess this 160-page bill and provide positions after discussions with other stakeholders and the Governor's Office.
SB 5016: A bill that will eliminate the March and May special elections. Passed Rules and has been placed on Senate Second Reading Calendar. WFCA does not oppose.
SB 5638: This bill will require that any contract entered into with a fire protection district must provide for adequate compensation. Adequate compensation is defined as compensation that may not fall below the proportional property tax burden of property located within the fire district. WFCA has concerns with mutual aid agreements being affected; however, with proper amendatory language, supports the concept of fair and equitable compensation for fire protection contracts. Senate Government Operations Committee. NOTE: We are examining amendatory language to ensure that mutual aid agreements and mobilization are not affected.
2010 WFCA/WFC Legislative Day is January 20th.
Bid Law Threshold Changes Take Effect July 26, 2009.
Updated Information Regarding Volunteer Compensation.
Commissioner Compensation Information.
