OLYMPIA – On Wednesday, Feb. 22, the House of Representatives passed legislation allowing voters to expand the size of fire protection district boards from five commissioners to seven. House Bill 1159, sponsored by Rep. April Berg, D-Mill Creek, allows voters to make that decision for themselves.
“Local fire protection districts do a lot of good for the people they serve” said Berg. “If voters think expanding to seven commissioners is the best way for their needs to be met, we shouldn’t stand in their way.”
This bi-partisan bill was supported by the State Fire Chiefs Association and the State Fire Commissioners Association. As a freshman member, it is Berg’s first piece of legislation to pass the House of Representatives.
“The fire service greatly appreciates Representative Berg’s leadership with House Bill 1159 which will improve the citizen’s representation in fire district governance,” said Kevin K. O’Brien, Snohomish Fire & Rescue Chief. “This improvement will foster regional and diverse representation and support our mission of saving lives and protecting property.”
“Local governments like fire protection districts directly affect peoples lives everyday,” continued Berg. “If we can make a common–sense change that helps them be more responsive to the residents they serve, we should get it done.”
House Bill 1159 passed the house with unanimous support. It now heads to the Senate for consideration.