SHB 2938 PASSES LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
The WFCA's number one priority bill, SHB 2938, passed out of House Local Government Committee on a 7-0 vote February 5. We will be working this issue very hard over the next two weeks as February 19 is the last day to pass bills out of the original house. Also today, February 8, is the committee
cut-off date for non-revenue bills. February 12 is the last day to move bills out of the respective revenue committees. Please be ready to email and call your legislators on various issues. 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. 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.
Passed House Local Government Committee. 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 2545 appears dead. HB 2554 passed out of committee on February 6. Rules. WFCA does not oppose 2554.
HB 2627: This bill will retroactively make multi-year lid lifts temporary that were passed last year. The WFCA opposes 2627. House Finance Committee. No executive session is scheduled as of February 8.
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. Scheduled for hearing on February 12 in 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.
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. Currently, we do not see any legislation that will adversely impact delivery of health care services.
HB 1653/2SSB 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. 2SSB 5271 passed out of Government Operations and Elections Committee. WFCA does not oppose. Rules. HB 1653 appears dead.
HB 2962/SB 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. SB 6573 was heard on February 5 in Senate Ways and Means Committee. WFCA supports as written.
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. WFCA opposes as written. HB 3090 appears dead.
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. Passed House State Government and Tribal Affairs Committee. Rules. 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. Appears dead.
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. Second Reading Calendar.
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. This bill has been revived and placed on the Senate Second Reading Calendar. WFCA supports.
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. Appears dead.
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. Appears dead.
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. WFCA supports.
HB 2790 appears dead. SB 5505 is in Senate Ways & Means Committee.
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!
