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Bill would let cities more easily form city fire districts while preserving voter approval
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Summary
Senate Bill 6,037 would allow cities to create single‑city fire protection districts with voter‑approved financing without automatically surrendering existing tax authority; supporters say it gives local control and financial tools while preserving employee protections.
Senate Bill 6,037 creates a clarified, voter‑driven option for cities to form a single‑city fire protection district that could access dedicated, voter‑approved revenue streams without forcing cities to forfeit existing tax authority.
Jacob Ewing, committee staff, summarized background on governance options for fire service — municipal departments, fire protection districts, regional fire authorities (RFAs) — and explained the bill’s technical changes, including removing a post‑2026 levy‑reduction requirement for districts formed before July 1, 2026, clarifying public notice rules for hearings, requiring separately elected fire commissioners when a district is formed by resolution, and authorizing administrative contracting between a district and its host city.
Senator Adrian Cortez, sponsor, said the bill provides flexibility and tools to support first responders and reduce redundancy: "It helps the facilitation ... to create these fire districts and to allow districts and the surrounding districts to consolidate easier," Cortez said.
Witnesses representing municipal government and fire leadership testified in support. Candace Bach of the Association of Washington Cities said the change makes an existing 2017 authority more usable by removing disincentives that required cities to give up tax revenue. Harold Scoggins, fire chief for the City of Seattle speaking for the Washington Metro Chiefs, said employees, equipment, and contracts would transfer seamlessly and that employee pay, benefits and collective bargaining rights would be preserved. Dave DeMarco, Everett fire chief, said the bill levels the playing field so cities can pursue voter‑approved funding options similar to regional authorities.
Local officials from Moses Lake, Washougal and Linden described fiscal pressures and the need for local voter choice to maintain or enhance fire and EMS services; Linden’s administrator said the city had to cut eight staff, including one firefighter, in its '26 budget.
Committee members asked technical questions about annexation, contracting and fiscal notes; Jacob Ewing confirmed a Department of Revenue fiscal note item (about $8,000) reflected departmental cost rather than a new burden on cities or counties.
Supporters urged amendments to fine‑tune tax‑authority language, and several witnesses emphasized the bill remains voter‑driven. The committee closed the SB 6,037 hearing after public testimony.
