Bill > HB1172

This bill amends existing Washington state law (RCW 52.30.040) to provide fire protection districts with an additional option for managing their civil service systems. Currently, fire protection districts with fully-paid fire departments can establish civil service systems similar to those used by cities and towns, which include protections against employee dismissal based on residency. The new provision allows these districts to dissolve their existing civil service system through a two-step process: first, the board of fire commissioners must adopt a resolution to dissolve the system, and second, a majority of the district's civil service employees must vote in favor of dissolution within 60 calendar days of the resolution's adoption. This change gives fire protection districts more flexibility in managing their workforce and administrative structures, potentially allowing them to adapt their employment systems to better suit local needs while still requiring employee consent for such a significant change.