The 2008 legislature is closing out its second week of this 60-day session. The number of bill introductions, public hearings and floor action will proceed into high gear this week. The following are bills updated to you as of January 25. Starting today, weekly legislative reports will be posted on this website and will be email “blasted” to every member who has signed up. Those of you who attended yesterday's Legislative Day in Olympia received a report dated January 22nd; updates have been made to that report and are shown in this report 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). SHB 1622 was heard and passed out of committee on January 15. The 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. HB 2483 was heard and passed out of committee on Tuesday, January 15, and has been referred to Rules. The 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. A hearing is scheduled on January 29.
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. The WFCA does not oppose as written. SB 6641 is scheduled for a hearing on January 29 in Senate Ways & Means Committee.
HB 2627—This bill will retroactively make multi-year lid lifts temporary that were passed last year. The WFCA opposes 2627. House Finance Committee.
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/SB 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.
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. Referred to Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee. The 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 quite a few amendments to be offered and the WFCA opposes 5420 as currently written. Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee.
NOTE: We expect numerous bills to be introduced which would require that executive sessions be tape recorded. The WFCA opposes tape recordings of executive sessions as we feel that attorney/client privilege would be violated. We will report in more detail when the legislation has been introduced and we can analyze it.
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. The 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. The WFCA supports.
HB 1822/SSB 5642—This is the safe cigarette legislation developed and introduced by the Washington Fire Chiefs last year. HB 1822 has been referred to House Commerce & Labor Committee and SB 5642 has been referred to Senate Ways & Means Committee. The WFCA supports.
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. The WFCA supports.
There will be a half-hour work session presentation on the facility assessment of rural fire districts by staff of the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development and representatives of the WFCA and WFC. The work session is scheduled for January 31 at 8 a.m. in the House Capital Budget 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!
