Bill > HB2224

This bill allows cities and towns to establish fire protection districts within their own boundaries as an alternative to the traditional petition method, requiring voter approval and a financing plan that includes property tax information and potential benefit charges. It specifies how property tax levies will be handled, particularly for districts formed before July 1, 2026, requiring cities to reduce their own levies to account for the new district's taxes, and for districts formed on or after that date, it sets new limits on city and town levies. The bill also clarifies that when a city forms a fire protection district, the city's fire department's powers, duties, and assets are transferred to the new district, and employees are generally transferred with their existing rights and benefits. Additionally, it makes changes to how property tax levies are calculated and protected for fire protection districts, ensuring their ability to collect taxes for services like fire prevention, suppression, and emergency medical services, with specific provisions for when these changes take effect and expire.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2224&Year=2025&Initiative=false