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WSFFA’s Legislative Historical Review: 2020-1991

The Washington State Fire Fighters’ Association was established in 1923. The mission in part is to represent the volunteer firefighter. It was the case then as it is now, to be vigilant in representing and improving the health & welfare of the volunteer. While diligent over of the years, the WSFFA’s efforts began showing real worth in the legislative arena during the 1991 legislative session, when the WSFFA President, Joe Basta appointed then Board member T.J. Nedrow as the Association’s Legislative Chairman.

In 2000, the WSFFA increased its investment in the volunteer as the Association began contracting the services of Ms. Tamara Warnke, Lobbyist. Thus began a significant endeavor that has resulted in further representation, benefits and opportunities for the volunteer

Since 1991 your WSFFA representatives have continued to make a difference during the legislative sessions.

The focus of the WSFFA Legislative Committee in general shall relate to the WSFFA’s overarching priorities:

  1. SAFETY
  2. FIREFIGHTER TRAINING
  3. COMPENSATION – BENEFITS
  4. VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
  5. FIRE SEVICE FUNDING
  6. COLLABORATION

Literally hundreds of pieces of legislation are introduced each year that draw the attending of the legislative committee. We have provided a recap of legislative bills that the WSFFA has advocated, monitored and or testified to.

The * asterisk denotes legislation that has a direct benefit to the volunteer

2020-2019

*ESSB 5829 Concerning pension benefits and contributions in the volunteer firefighters' and reserve officers' relief and pension system
https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5829&Year=2019&Initiative=false

2018-2017

HB 1170 Modifying the expiration date of certain fire mobilization laws
https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1170&Year=2019&Initiative=false

HB 1489 Concerning private wildland fire suppression contractors
http://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?Year=2017&BillNumber=1489

2016-2015

*HB 1382 Addressing the delivery of basic fire fighting training and testing
http://app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1382&year=2015

HB 2007 Concerning reimbursement to eligible providers for Medicaid ground emergency medical transportation services
http://app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=2007&year=2015

2014-2013

*HB 1180 Addressing death benefits for volunteer fire fighters and reserve officers
http://app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1180&year=2013

2012-2011

*HB 1136 Creating volunteer firefighter special license plates
http://app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1136&year=2011

HB 1406 Establishing the intrastate building safety mutual aid system
http://app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1406&year=2011

HB 1585 Establishing the intrastate mutual aid system
http://app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1585&year=2011

*HB 1723 Addressing volunteer firefighting. Expands the definition of (volunteer) fire fighter
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1723&year=2011

*SB 5365 Authorizing the purchase of retirement pension coverage by certain volunteer fire fighters
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5365&year=2011

2010-2009

HB 2464 Implementing rules and penalties for drivers when approaching certain emergency, roadside assistance, or police vehicles in emergency zones
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2009&bill=2464

*HB 2519 Addressing duty-related death benefits for public safety employees
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2009&bill=2519

HB 2617 Eliminating certain boards and commissions
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2009&bill=2617

HB 2667 Concerning communications during a forest fire response
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2009&bill=2667

*HB 2823 Permitting retired participants to resume volunteer firefighter, emergency worker, or reserve officer service
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2009&bill=2823

SB 6418 Regarding cities and towns annexed to fire protection districts
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2009&bill=6418

SB 6546 Allowing the state director of fire protection to refuse membership in the public employees’ retirement system
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2009&bill=6546

2008-2007

*HB 1024 Phasing out the use of polybrominated diphenyl ethers
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2007&bill=1024

*HB 1475 Adding members to the state board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2007&bill=1475

*HB 2147 Providing vocational rehabilitation services for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2007&bill=2147

*SB 5511 Requiring state agencies to allow volunteer firefighters to respond when called to duty
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2007&bill=5511

2006-2005

*HB 2366 Making certain communications between fire fighters and peer support group counselors privileged
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2005&bill=2366

*HB 2606 Allowing volunteer fire fighter personnel to hold elective or appointed office
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2005&bill=2606

*SB 5135 Addressing volunteer fire fighters’ and reserve officers’ relief and pensions
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2005&bill=5135

2004-2003

*HB 1110 Increasing the monthly pensions for volunteer fire fighters and reserve officers
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2003&bill=1110

*SB 5176 Providing wildland fire fighting training
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2003&bill=5176

2002-2001

*HB 1004 Adjusting disability payments
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2001&bill=1004

HB 1371 Allowing participation in health care authority insurance plans and contracts by surviving spouses and dependent children of emergency service personnel killed in the line of duty
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2001&bill=1371

*HB 1420 Prohibiting discrimination against volunteer fire fighters
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2001&bill=1420

*HB 2493 Removing the limitation on the number of volunteer fire fighters
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2001&bill=2493

2000-1999

*HB 1219 Changing relief and retirement pension provisions under chapter 41.24 RCW
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=1999&bill=1219

HB 1556 Increasing timeliness of fire death reports
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=1999&bill=1556

HB 2993 Setting fires for fire fighter instruction
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=1999&bill=2993

*SB 5102 Funding fire fighter training and pensions
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=1999&bill=5102

1998-1997

*SB 5217 Providing death benefits for volunteer fire fighters
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=1997&bill=5217

1996-1995

HB 1453 Providing for reserve officers’ retirement
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=1995&bill=1453

HB 1483 Revising provisions on the prevention and suppression of forest wild fires
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=1995&bill=1483

HB 2791 Clarifying assault in the third degree to include county fire marshal’s office
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=1995&bill=2791

*SB 5294 Paying for fire fighters’ retirement provisions
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=1995&bill=5294

*SB 5322 Studying providing a death benefit award
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=1995&bill=5322

*SB 6220 Increasing disability and death benefits for volunteer fire fighters
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=1995&bill=6220

1994-1993

SB 6025 Changing fire insurance premium provisions relating to cities and counties
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=1993&bill=6025

1992-1991

*HB 2398 Revising provisions for the volunteer fire fighters’ relief and pension fund
http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=1991&bill=2398

 

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