The following are bills reported to you as of Friday, Jan. 26. Legislative activity has increased and numerous bills have been added to this week's report. Updates from the last report are shown here in bold type. The print media has been reporting on the fact that property tax "reform" has been the buzzword this week. Over 25 different property tax bills have been introduced which would increase thresholds of current tax exemptions, limit growth in assessed valuation, create a homestead exemption for residential properties and reaffirmation of the 101% growth rate, just to name a few! We will report on these and other revenue bills if they appear to gain momentum. For additional information on bills, you may access the state legislative homepage at www1.leg.wa.gov or call Roger Ferris at 1.800.491.9322.
HB 1369/SB 5498: THIS IS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR THE WFCA. This bill provides special purpose districts with authority to lift the lid for up to six years and provide for the district to set its own rate of growth index for years two through six (it can be based on CPI or on a straight percentage as stated on the ballot). We expect the Senate version to be introduced in the near future. This is the same legislation as last year's 2SSB 5333 and is strongly supported by all special districts as a way to reduce election costs and to plan for future growth. HB 1369 has been referred to House Finance Cmte. SB 5498 has been referred to Sen. Government Operations & Elections Cmte.
HB 1125: This legislation will increase the forest fire protection flat fee assessments from its current level of $14.50 to $17.50 and increase from $.25 to $.27 on each acre in excess of 50 acres. HB 1125 has been referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources Cmte. WFCA supports.
SB 5217: Will provide for an increase in the county conservation futures property tax levy from 6.25 cents to 12.5 cents per $1,000 assessed value. WFCA has concerns on possible proration of EMS levies. Referred to Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation Cmte.
HB 1470: Provides for state capital funding assistance for rural fire districts with a population of 10,000 or less through the public works assistance account. The funding assistance will assist fire districts for repayment of all or a portion of the principal or interest to finance construction of fire stations. HB 1470 has been referred to House Capital Budget Cmte. and is scheduled for a hearing on Feb. 1. WFCA supports.
HB 1653: This is a county auditor association proposal which would eliminate the March and April special election dates for taxing districts. HB 1653 has been referred to House State Government & Tribal Affairs Cmte. WFCA will confer with other taxing district associations and at present time will monitor.
HB 1620: This legislation will provide a sales and use tax exemption for law enforcement and local governments' motor vehicles if they are used exclusively to provide emergency services including medical-aid vehicles, ambulances and fire engines. HB 1620 has been referred to House Finance Cmte. WFCA supports.
HB 1724: This proposal provides that the Director of Fire Protection shall, by rule, adopt a fire safety standard for upholstered furniture and electronic equipment by December 31, 2007. WFCA strongly supports HB 1724 as good public safety policy. HB 1724 has been referred to House Commerce & Labor Cmte.
HB 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 an annexation petition). Referred to House Local Government Cmte. WFCA strongly opposes as written.
SHB 1024/SSB 5034: This is a legislative proposal which will ban the use of DECA flame retardant in household items if a safer alternative is found. The WFCA has concerns with regulatory and special interest groups having unilateral authority to ban this flame retardant. It should be the responsibility of the state legislature to implement, through a public legislative vote, as this legislation has far-reaching policy impacts. SHB 1024 passed the Select Committee on Environmental Health and has been referred to Rules. SSB 5034 has passed Senate Water, Energy & Telecommunications Cmte. Rules.
HB 1223/SB 5505: This legislation would provide for a regional system to respond to hazardous materials incidents and appropriate $23 million to the Director of Fire Protection Services to fund regional response teams throughout the state. This is a Washington Fire Chiefs (WFC) proposal. Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Cmte. Hearing scheduled for Jan. 29. WFCA supports concept.
HB 1367: This is a WFCA legislative proposal which would authorize fire station public works projects that cost less than $10,000.00 to proceed without a formal bid process. The current maximum is $2,500.00 and has not been adjusted for inflation in over 20 years. House Local Government Committee. HB 1367 was heard on Jan. 25. The building trade unions are opposed to 1367 as written.
HB 1368/SB 5233: This is the special purpose district legislation to implement retroactive cost of living adjustments for commissioner per diem compensation. Fire district commissioners currently receive $70 per day. This legislative proposal will increase the per diem compensation up to $90 per day with a yearly maximum $8,640 per year. House Local Government Cmte. SB 5233 is in Senate Government Operations & Elections Cmte. WFCA supports.
SB 5432: This is a WFCA proposal which provides authority for fire district boards of commissioners to expand from five to seven members with voter approval. Senate Government Operations & Elections Committee. The Washington State Council of Fire Fighters is opposed to this legislation.
The following three proposals are request legislation from the LEOFF Plan 2 Retirement Board.
SB 5589/HB 1678: Provides a LEOFF 2 retiree eligibility to participate in the state of Washington health care program. Referred to Senate Ways & Means Cmte. and House Appropriations Cmte. Monitor.
SB 5590/HB 1679: Provides for employee board representation to be either an active employee or a retired employee. It does not affect employer representation or increase board membership from it current membership of eleven members. SB 5590/HB 1679 has been referred to Sen. Ways & Means Cmte. and House Appropriations Cmte. Monitor.
SB 5591/HB 1680: Provides for service credit calculations and transfer provisions. SB 5591 has been referred to Sen. Ways & Means Cmte. and House Appropriations Cmte. Monitor.
The WFCA will be involved in several areas of the state budget. One of the main issues is the Enhanced 911 account being
"raided" to fund state interoperability communications. It appears that $10 million may be at stake. The WFCA strongly opposes the transfer of state E-911 revenues to fund
any project. The E-911 system was created by passage of a statewide
referendum for E-911 services and support to rural counties and their vision to upgrade to an integrated Enhanced 911 system in every area of the state. WFCA will be working with the counties, E-911 directors and local emergency communication groups to oppose this unwarranted raid on the E-911 account. We will report on other issues as we review all budget documents from the Governor, House and Senate.
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!
