This bill amends sections 7-17-12 and 8-13-13 of the Code of West Virginia to establish new requirements for municipalities imposing fire service fees on individuals or businesses located outside their boundaries. Specifically, it mandates that any such fees must receive approval from the county commission before being enacted. Additionally, the bill provides a process for county residents to challenge these fees through a petition, allowing for a referendum if 30 percent of qualified voters protest the ordinance. This ensures that any fire fee imposed by a municipality affecting non-residents cannot take effect without a majority vote from the county's electorate.

The bill also modifies existing language regarding the imposition of fire protection fees, removing a previous prohibition on new fees effective after June 30, 2024, and instead stipulating that no fire fee can be imposed on non-residents without county commission approval. Furthermore, it clarifies that non-residents cannot be required to pay fire protection fees to both the municipality and the county commission simultaneously. These changes aim to enhance transparency and accountability in the imposition of fire service fees, ensuring that affected residents have a voice in the decision-making process.

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