This bill amends Washington state law concerning the establishment and operation of fire protection districts, allowing cities and towns to create these districts through a resolution that requires voter approval. The resolution must include a financing plan detailing property tax levies and potential benefit charges. Importantly, if a fire protection district is formed before July 1, 2026, the city or town is mandated to reduce its general fund property tax levy by the amount levied by the new district. The bill also updates public notice requirements for hearings on these resolutions to include publication on city websites or local newspapers, and it clarifies the transfer of powers and assets from city fire departments to the new districts, ensuring that employees retain their rights and benefits.

Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions to protect the tax levies of fire protection districts from prorationing, allowing them to impose a tax levy of up to twenty-five cents per thousand dollars of assessed value, which is exempt from the general limitation of five dollars and ninety cents per thousand dollars of assessed valuation. This aims to stabilize funding for fire protection services. Additionally, the bill establishes expiration and effective dates for certain provisions, with Section 4 expiring on January 1, 2027, and Section 5 taking effect on the same date, providing clarity for the implementation of these new tax levy protections.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 52.02.160, 52.02.180, 84.55.092
Substitute bill: 52.02.160, 52.02.180, 84.55.092, 84.52.043