Washington Fire Chiefs

Holdover Bill from 2011

Design professionals.  Limits indemnification and duty to defend of architects and design professionals when contracting with public agencies.

*Received a public hearing in House Judiciary on Monday, January 9.  Currently scheduled for executive session on Thursday, January 19.  Amendments are reportedly being worked on to alleviate some concerns of public agencies.

Revising the definition of "political subdivision" to include a water-sewer district for purposes of the intrastate mutual aid system.

*These bills will not be pursued this legislative session, according to the water-sewer district folks. 

Wildlife protection by DNR.  Authorizes the department of natural resources to provide fire detection, prevention, presuppression, or suppression services on certain nonforested public lands.

*HB 2440 received a public hearing in House Agriculture Committee on Tuesday, January 17 at 10:00 am.  Executive action taken on January 18.  WFC signed in supporting the measure.

Motor vehicle yellow dot program.  Requires the director of the department of licensing to implement a voluntary yellow dot program to assist owners and lessees of motor vehicles and their passengers, emergency medical responders, and law enforcement personnel in the event of a motor vehicle accident, a medical emergency, or any other interaction involving emergency medical responders or law enforcement personnel.

*Received a public hearing in House Transportation Committee on Monday, January 16th, at 3:30 pm.

Position - Monitor with concern of reliability

1 & 2 merger.  Merges plan 1 and plan 2 of the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system.

*No hearing yet scheduled.

Revises the definition of “excess compensation” to limit the impact of excess compensation on state retirement system contribution rates.

*No hearing yet scheduled.

Concerning fire protection firms.

*Scheduled for public hearing Monday, January 23rd, in House Business & Financial Services Committee at 6:00 pm.

Establishing a joint select committee on junior taxing districts.

*No hearing is yet scheduled.
Position – Monitor with concerns

Authorizing benefit charges for the enhancement of fire protection services.  Allows cities or towns that are annexing fire services to run a benefit charge, which is currently limited to fire districts and fire authorities.

*No hearing is yet scheduled.

Requiring drug testing of all employees of a law enforcement agency or fire department.

*No hearing yet scheduled.

Requires the director of fire protection to establish and maintain a statewide CBRNE response program. Creates the policy advisory group and the operations advisory group to assist the director of fire protection in implementing and managing the statewide CBRNE response program. Creates the statewide CBRNE response account. Makes an appropriation (projected at approximately $220,000).

These bills are dead this session. However, we are still working to get $220,000 allocated during the budget process to continue the study of the concept in 2010/2011. In addition, we are working to obtain Federal Grant funding to assist with our study and initial implementation should local funds at the State level fall through.

January 11th: By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status (in House Rules Committee).
January 28th: Placed on 3rd reading by Rules Committee.
February 11th: 3rd reading. Passed with 59 yeas, 38 nays and 1 excused.

IN THE SENATE: 
February 13th: 1st reading, referred to Government Operations and Elections.  
February 22nd: Public hearing and Executive Action taken in Committee at 1000 (10:00 am). 
February 23rd:  Majority with a do pass.  Passed to Rules Committee for a 2nd Reading.  

Finds that: (1) The state and counties should be provided with an additional revenue source to fund enhanced 911 emergency communication systems throughout the state on a multicounty, countywide, or district-wide basis; and (2) The most efficient and appropriate method of deriving additional revenue for this purpose is to charge a service fee on the use of switched access lines, radio access lines, and interconnected voice over internet protocol service lines. Removes state and county enhanced 911 excise tax provisions. Creates a state and county enhanced 911 service fee. Creates the county enhanced 911 service fee account and provides that expenditures from the account may be used only for distribution to counties imposing the enhanced 911 service fee.

This bill is dead this session; however, HB 2351 or SB 6846 appear to be the bills of choice related to E-911 funding

January 11th: By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
February 9th: Placed on 2nd reading by Rules Committee.
February 10th: 1st substitute bill. Rules suspended. Placed on 3rd reading.
Passed with 96 yeas, 0 nays and 2 excused.

IN THE SENATE:
February 12th: 1st reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections.
February 22nd: Public hearing and Executive Action taken in committee at 1000 (10:00 am).
February 23rd: Majority with a do pass with amendments.  Passed to Rules for a 2nd reading.

Creates an additional source of revenue to fund enhanced 911 emergency communication systems statewide by imposing an excise tax on switched access lines, radio access lines, and interconnected voice over internet protocol service lines.

January 11th: By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
February 9th: Placed on 2nd reading by Rules Committee.

Directs the department of health, with guidance from the emergency medical services and trauma steering committee, to address the needs in cardiovascular care as found in the 2008 emergency cardiac and stroke work group's report through a coordinated system of emergency cardiac and stroke care.

December 7th: Pre-filed for introduction.
January 11th: 1st reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness.
January 14th: Public hearing in committee at 0900 (9:00 am).
January 22nd: Executive action at 1415 (2:15 pm). 1st substitute bill by majority with a do pass.
January 26th: Referred to Health & Human Services Appropriations.

Extends immunity from liability to certain health care providers.

Appears dead this session.

December 21st: Pre-filed for introduction.
January 11th: 1st reading, referred to Judiciary

Addresses service credit and final average salary with regard to shared leave for members of the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system, plan 2.

January 4th: Pre-filed for introduction.
January 11th: 1st reading, referred to Ways and Means.
February 3rd: Public hearing in committee at 1330 (1:30 pm).
February 6th: Executive action in committee at 0900 (9:00 am).
Majority with a do pass.
February 9th: Passed to Rules Committee for 2nd reading.
February 11th: Placed on 2nd reading.
February 13th: Rules suspended, placed on 3rd reading. Passed with 95 yeas, 0 nays and 3 excused.

IN THE SENATE:
February 16th: 1st reading, referred to Ways & Means.
February 17th: Executive action taken in committee at 1330 (1:30 pm).
February 18th: majority with a do pass. Passed to Rules for 2nd reading.

Authorizes the department of natural resources, at the discretion of the commissioner of public lands, to use any funds provided to it by a general fund appropriation for fire suppression to cover the costs associated with cleaning firefighting equipment used during a fire to minimize the possibility of the equipment spreading the seeds of noxious weeds from one parcel to another.

Appears dead this session

January 4th: Pre-filed for introduction.
January 11th: 1st reading, referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources.
January 14th: Public hearing in committee at 0800 (8:00 am).
January 28th: Executive session at 0800 (8:00 am). Executive action taken by committee. 1st substitute bill with a do pass by the majority.
February 1st: Committee relieved of further consideration. Referred to General Government Appropriations.

Addresses duty-related death benefits for public safety employees.

January 4th: Pre-filed for introduction.
January 11th: 1st reading, referred to Ways and Means.
January 19th: Public hearing and executive action taken in committee at 1530(3:30 pm). Majority with a do pass.
January 21st: Passed to Rules for 2nd reading.
January 28th: Placed on 2nd reading by Rules Committee.
February 3rd: Floor amendments adopted. Rules suspended. Placed on 3rd reading. Passed with 93 yeas, 3 nays, and 2 excused.

IN THE SENATE:
February 5th: 1st reading, referred to Ways and Means.
February 9th: Executive action taken in committee at 1330 (1:30 pm). Majority do pass with amendments. Passed to Rules for 2nd reading.

Requires additional information on a ballot proposition for a levy that is subject to voter approval under RCW 84.55.050 (election to authorize increase in regular property tax levy).

Appears dead this session

January 7th: Pre-filed for introduction.
January 11th: 1st reading, referred to State Government and Tribal Affairs.

Eliminates certain boards and commissions.

January 8th: Pre-filed for introduction.
January 11th: 1st reading, referred to State Government and Tribal Affairs.
January 21st: Public hearing in committee at 0800 (8:00 am).
January 26th: Executive action in committee at 1330 (1:30 pm). 1st substitute bill with a do pass by the majority.       
January 29th: Referred to Ways and Means.
February 3rd: Public hearing in committee at 1330 (1:30 pm).

Revises provisions regarding membership on the state building code council.

January 13th: 1st reading, referred to Local Government & Housing.
January 21st: Public hearing in committee at 1000 (10:00 am).
January 27th: Executive action taken in committee at 0800 (8:00 am). 1st substitute bill with a do pass by the majority.
January 29th: Passed to Rules Committee for 2nd reading.
February 9th: Placed on 2nd reading by Rules Committee.
February 10th: 1st substitute bill. Rules suspended. Placed on 3rd reading.
Passed with 97 yeas, 0 nays and 1 excused.

IN THE SENATE:
February 12th: 1st reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections.
February 23rd: Public hearing in committee at 1330 (1:30 pm).

Authorizes certain retired participants to resume volunteer firefighter, emergency worker, or reserve officer service.

January 14th: 1st reading, referred to Ways and Means.
February 3rd: Public hearing in committee at 1330 (1:30 pm).
February 8th: Executive action taken in committee at 0900 (9:00 am).
Majority with a do pass.
February 9th: Passed to Rules for 2nd reading.
February 13th: Placed on 2nd reading.
February 16th: Rules suspended. Placed on 3rd reading. Passed with 98 yeas,
0 nays.

IN THE SENATE:
February 18th: 1st reading, referred to Ways & Means.
February 25th: Public hearing in committee at 1330 (1:30 pm).

The requirement that fire protection districts be authorized in areas outside of cities and town, except where the cities and towns have been annexed into a fire protection district or where the district is continuing service, is removed. A city or town adjacent to a district may be annexed into such a district provided the population of the city or town does not exceed 300,000 (instead of the current 100,000 population limit).

January 15th: 1st reading, referred to Local Government and Housing.
January 27th: Public hearing in committee at 0800 (8:00 am).
February 1st: Executive action taken in committee at 1330 (1:30 pm).
February 2nd: Majority with a do pass.
February 3rd: Passed to Rules for 2nd reading.

Modifies formation, operation, and governance provisions of regional fire protection service authorities.

January 15th: 1st reading, referred to Local Government & Housing

Addresses the impact, when a city or town enters a regional fire protection service authority, on the firefighters' pension fund (monies passed through via insurance premiums)

January 19th: 1st reading, referred to Ways and Means.
February 6th: Public hearing in committee at 0900 (9:00 am).
February 8th: Executive action taken at 0900 (9:00 am). Majority with a do pass.
February 9th: Passed to Rules for 2nd reading.
February 13th: Placed on 2nd reading. Rules suspended. Placed on 3rd reading.  Passed with 94 yeas, 0 nays and 4 excused.

IN THE SENATE:
February 16th: 1st reading, referred to Ways & Means.
February 25th: Public hearing in committee at 1330 (1:30 pm)

Adjusts the property tax levy lid limits for certain local services. Provides for simple majority elections (instead of the current 3/5ths majority) for EMS levies.  Companion bill to SB5432

January 21st: 1st reading, referred to Finance.

Making renewal EMS levies a simple majority vote.

*Received a public hearing in Senate Government Operations Committee on Monday, January 16 at 10:00 am.

Closed executive session meetings.  Exempts from disclosure under the public records act, video and audio recordings of any portion of an executive session from which the public is excluded.

*No hearings yet scheduled.

Wildlife protection by DNR.  Authorizes the department of natural resources to provide fire detection, prevention, presuppression, or suppression services on certain nonforested public lands.

*SB 6144 is scheduled for public hearing in Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 24th at 1:30 pm. 

Military & safety equipment.  Outlaws the manufacture, sale, disposal, or possession of a switchblade knife, except by a law enforcement officer, firefighter or rescue member, Washington state patrol officer, or active military member while on official duty.

*Scheduled for public hearing in Senate Judiciary on Tuesday, Jan. 25, at 1:30 pm.

Fire service training account.  Allows money from the fire service training account to be used for the maintenance, operation, and capital projects of the state fire training academy.  There is no limitation currently in the bill.

*Scheduled for public hearing in Senate Ways & Means Committee on Wed., January 25, at 3:30 pm.

Regarding inspection and copying of any public record.

*No hearing is yet scheduled.

Declares an intent to provide property tax relief by setting base years for property tax valuation computation and limiting property tax valuation increases to one percent per year over the base year until ownership of the property changes on owner-occupied property claimed as a principal place of residence. Provides that the act applies to taxes payable in 2010 and thereafter. Provides a contingent effective date.

Appears dead this session

January 11th: By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

Declares an intent to provide property tax relief by limiting valuation increases until ownership of the property changes. Provides a contingent effective date.

Appears dead this session.

January 11th: By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

Provides a means to stabilize revenue collections. Requires a majority vote rather than a two-thirds vote of
each house of the legislature on any action by the legislature that raises state revenue or requires revenue-neutral tax shifts. Requires notices and cost projections by the office of financial management for bills that raise taxes or increase fees. Requires a tax advisory vote for a tax increase not referred to the voters.

January 11th: By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
February 9th: Public hearing and executive action taken in committee at 1330
(1:30 pm). 1st substitute bill with a do pass by the majority.   
Passed to Rules for 2nd reading.
February 10th: Placed on 2nd reading by Rules. 1st substitute bill and floor amendments adopted. Rules suspended. Placed on 3rd reading. Passed with 26 yeas, 22 nays, and 1 excused.  

IN THE HOUSE:
February 13th: Public hearing and executive session in Finance at 0900 (9:00am) in anticipation of other legislative action. Executive action taken by committee. Majority do pass with amendments.
February 16th: Placed on 2nd reading. Committee amendments adopted. Placed on 3rd reading. 
February 17th: 3rd reading. Passed with 51 yeas, 47 nays.

IN THE SENATE:
February 22nd: Senate concurred in House amendments. Passed final passage with 26 yeas, 21 nays, and 2 excused.
February 23rd: Signed by the President.

IN THE HOUSE:
February 23rd: Signed by the Speaker.

GOVERNOR:
February 23rd: Delivered to the Governor.

Requires additional information on a ballot proposition for a levy that is subject to voter approval under RCW 84.55.050 (election to authorize increase in regular property tax levy).  Companion bill to HB2578.

December 8th: Pre-filed for introduction.
January 11th: 1st reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections.
January 18th: Public hearing in committee at 1000 (10:00 am).
January 19th: Majority with a do pass. Passed to Rules for 2nd reading.

Addresses disposition of existing voter-approved indebtedness at the time of annexation of a city, partial city, or town to a fire protection district. Companion Bill to HB2611.

January 8th: Pre-filed for introduction.
January 11th: 1st reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections.
January 25th: Public hearing in committee at 0800 (8:00 am).
January 28th: Executive action taken in committee at 1530 (3:30 pm).
February 1st: Majority with a do pass. Passed to Rules for 2nd reading.
February 10th: Placed on 2nd reading by Rules committee.
February 15th: Floor amendments adopted. Rules suspended. Placed on 3rd reading. Passed with 48 yeas, 0 nays and 1 excused.

IN THE HOUSE:
February 16th: 1st reading, referred to Local Government & Housing.
February 18th: Public hearing and executive action taken in committee at 1000 (10:00 am). Majority with a do pass.
February 19th: Passed to Rules for 2nd reading.

Exempts housing authorities from laws governing the construction, alteration, repair, or improvement of property by other public bodies.
Companion Bill to HB2517

January 12th: 1st reading, referred to Financial Institutions, Housing and Insurance.
January 26th: Public hearing in committee at 1000 (10:00 am).
February 2nd: Executive session in committee at 1000 (10:00 am).
February 3rd: Executive action taken at 1530 (3:30 pm).
February 5th: 1st substitute bill with a do pass by the majority. Passed to
Rules for 2nd reading.
February 11th: Made eligible to be placed on 2nd reading.
February 12th: Placed on 2nd reading by Rules.

Addresses duty-related death benefits for public safety employees.  Companion Bill to HB2519

January 13th: 1st reading, referred to Ways and Means.
February 3rd: Public hearing in committee at 1330 (1:30 pm).

Eliminates certain boards and commissions. Companion to HB2617.

January 14th: 1st reading, referred to Ways and Means.
February 8th: Public hearing in committee at 1330 (1:30 pm).
February 9th: Executive action taken in committee at 1330 (1:30 pm). 1st substitute bill with a do pass by the majority. Passed to Rules for 2nd reading.
February 10th: Placed on 2nd reading by Rules. 1st substitute bill with floor amendments adopted. Rules suspended. Placed on 3rd reading. Passed with 46 yeas, 3 nays.

IN THE HOUSE:
February 12th: 1st reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Affairs.
February 18th: Executive action taken in committee at 0800 (8:00 am).
February 23rd: Referred to Ways and Means.

Allows impact fees to be used for all fire protection facilities.

January 14th: 1st reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections.

Addresses service credit and final average salary with regard to shared leave for members of the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system, plan 2.
Companion Bill to HB2492

January 14th: 1st reading, referred to Ways and Means.
February 4th: Public hearing in committee at 1330 (1:30 pm).
February 8th: Executive action taken in committee at 1330 (1:30 pm).
February 9th: Majority with a do pass. Passed to Rules for 2nd reading.
February 10th: Made eligible to be placed on 2nd reading.
February 11th: Placed on 2nd reading.
February 16th: Rules suspended. Placed on 3rd reading. Passed with 47 yeas, 0 nays and 2 excused.

IN THE HOUSE:
February 17th: 1st reading, referred to Ways & Means.
February 26th: Scheduled for public hearing at 1330 (1:30 pm).

Imposes a duty on a firefighter, that is present at the scene of any wildfire, to undertake firefighting efforts to suppress the fire if the fire poses a danger to human life or structures unless the firefighter does not have the equipment or manpower at the scene to fight the fire in a safe and reasonable manner.

January 14th: 1st reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections.
January 28th: Public hearing in committee at 1530 (3:30 pm).
February 1st: Majority with a do pass. Passed to Rules for 2nd reading.

Exempts ambulances and aid vehicles from the requirement to post notices about estimates for health care fees and charges.  Companion bill to HB27i8

January 15th:  1st reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care.
January 27th:  Public hearing in committee at 0800 (8:00 am).

Adopts by reference the international wildland urban interface code.

January 18th: 1st reading, referred to Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection.
January 25th: Public hearing in committee at 1000 (10:00 am).
February 2nd: Executive session at 1330 (1:30 pm).

Transfers the state board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers to the Department of Retirement Systems.  Companion bill to HB2825

The WFC (Washington Fire Chiefs) will “MONITOR” this bill. In addition, we continue to work with the Governor’s Office and all stakeholder’s (the WFC, WSFFA, WFCA, and WSCFF) to try and address all concerns raised in recent meetings.

January 18th: 1st reading, referred to Ways and Means

Requires a voters' pamphlet to be published for a special election. We have concerns that without a voter’s pamphlet, more information will continue to be forced into the limited 75 word maximum for ballot titles and will confuse the voting public.

January 28th: 1st reading, referred to Government Operations & Elections.
February 2nd: Public hearing in committee at 1330 (1:30 pm).