Bill > HB1001

This bill establishes a competitive grant program administered by the Washington State Department of Commerce to provide funding for fire protection services capital projects in rural counties. The bill defines key terms, including "fire protection services capital project" as a local government project involving planning, construction, repair, or improvement of fire protection facilities, and "rural county" as a county with fewer than 100 persons per square mile or smaller than 225 square miles. The grant program will be guided by a committee representing various stakeholders, which will prioritize projects based on factors such as the jurisdiction's fire rating, ability to leverage other funds, local resource capacity, project criticality, readiness for construction, location in a distressed area, and potential for service consolidation. Grants will require matching funds and are capped at $2 million per jurisdiction per biennium, with provisions ensuring that the funded facilities are used for their intended purpose for a specified period. Recipients must repay the grant with interest if they fail to comply with contract terms. The Department of Commerce will be required to submit an annual report to the legislature detailing grant applications, approved projects, disbursements, and fund obligations, helping to provide transparency and accountability for the program.

Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1001&Year=2025&Initiative=false