WA Fire Commissioners Association

January 30, 2009

The 2009 legislative session is completing its third week with a lower number of bills being introduced in comparison to prior years. The WFCA is monitoring over 100 legislative proposals and will keep you updated if movement occurs. A reminder that the Legislative Committee cut-off to pass bills out of fiscal committees is February 25. The following are bills updated as of Thursday, January 29; please note that updates 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.

WFCA PROPOSAL

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.

TAX/REVENUE LEGISLATION

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.

SB 5143: This legislation would provide for a 106% limit factor for permanent emergency medical services levy. Senate Ways & Means Committee. SB 5143 requires a statewide vote for ratification. WFCA supports.

NOTE: There are over 30 bills related to property tax valuation and limiting future growth. We will monitor and report if movement occurs.

ANNEXATION/GROWTH MANAGEMENT

We are still in negotiations seeking compromise legislation to address the issues of financial impacts, service delivery and employee security. WFCA has agreed to draft legislation after extensive negotiations. More information will be provided next week with bill number assigned.

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). Senate Government Operations & Elections Committee. WFCA opposes unless issues of service delivery, job security and mitigation impacts are addressed.

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. WFCA position has not changed.

OPEN RECORDS/MEETINGS LEGISLATION

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. Referred to State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee. WFCA will seek clarification on training and is currently monitoring this bill without position.

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.

EMS

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. SB 5432 has been referred to Senate Government Operations & Elections Committee. WFCA strongly supports.

OTHER BILLS

HB 1039/SB 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.

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. 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. 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. 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. State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee. WFCA supports.

SB 5016: A bill that will eliminate the March and May special elections. Government Operations & Elections Committee. WFCA does not oppose.