The 2009 session of the Washington State Legislature convened on Monday, January 12. This is the "long" 105-day session with the main emphasis centered on the 2009-2011 biennial budget. As I reported earlier, the state budget deficit is currently projected at $5.7 billion and the March revenue forecast could be as high as $7 billion. February 25 will be the last day to move bills out of committee with the exception of House fiscal committees and Senate Ways & Means and Transportation committees. March 2 is the cut-off date to pass bills out of the fiscal committees. The following is a list of bills reported to you on Thursday, January 22; more bills will be added over the next few weeks. 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. HB 1230 has been referred to State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee and is scheduled for a hearing tomorrow (January 23) at 1:30 p.m. WFCA strongly supports.
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. Referred to Senate Ways & Means Committee. WFCA opposes.
SB 5143: This legislation would provide for a 106% limit factor for permanent emergency medical services levy. Referred to Senate Ways & Means Committee. NOTE: A comprehensive local government association tax levy proposal will be introduced in the next few days that would include a provision to set the EMS levy limit to the greater of 1% of inflation and remove super majority vote requirement. WFCA has been working with the counties and cities during the interim and supports this proposal. We will have a bill number in the next few days.
We are still in negotiations seeking compromise legislation to address the issues of financial impacts, service delivery and employee security. The WFCA has forwarded revised draft legislation from our legal counsel to the cities and state council for comments. Look for more information next week.
SB 5084: 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). Referred to Senate Government Operations & Elections Committee. WFCA opposes unless issues of service delivery, job security and mitigation impacts are addressed.
NOTE: More annexation legislation will be reported next week.
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.
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. Referred to 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. Referred to Senate Government Operations & Elections Committee.
HB 1039/SB 5010: This is the Washington Fire Chiefs' proposal to establish and fund hazardous materials response teams around the state. SB 5010 was heard in Senate Government Operations Committee on January 19. The funding mechanism will be very difficult to identify due to the large state budget deficit.
HB 1015/SB 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. HB 1015 was heard in House Commerce & Labor on January 21. WFCA supports.
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. Referred to House Finance Committee. WFCA has concerns.
HB 1080: This legislation is prime-sponsored by Rep. Geoff Simpson and provides impact fee authority in urban growth areas for fire protection districts. We expect heavy opposition from the home builders. Hearing was held today (January 22) in House Local Government Committee. 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. HB 1196 has been referred to State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee. WFCA supports.
SB 5016: A bill that will eliminate the March and May special elections. Referred to Government Operations & Elections Committee. WFCA does not oppose.
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.
