The bill amends West Virginia Code ยง8-13-13 to regulate the imposition of fire protection service fees by municipalities. It prohibits any new fire protection service fees from being charged to individuals or businesses located in counties that already have a fire service fee in place, unless there is an intergovernmental agreement between the municipality and the county commission. The bill outlines specific requirements for this agreement, including that the fees must be uniform for all users, and that no individual or business should be required to pay both municipal and county fire service fees. Additionally, it allows municipalities to increase or decrease existing fire protection fees that were in effect prior to June 30, 2024.

The intergovernmental agreement must include terms such as limiting fees to those within the first due areas of fire protection services and ensuring that the fees are the same for all users, regardless of their location. The agreement is set to expire five years after its effective date but can be renewed for additional five-year terms. The bill also includes provisions for the transfer of fire service fee revenues from the county to the municipality and establishes a process for municipalities to file liens on properties for unpaid fees. Overall, the legislation aims to create a more structured approach to fire service fees while ensuring fairness and clarity for residents and businesses.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 7-17-12, 8-13-13
Committee Substitute: 8-13-13
Engrossed Committee Substitute: 8-13-13
Enrolled Committee Substitute: 8-13-13