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SB 5886

Adding purposes for the use of existing firefighter safety funding.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by John Braun and 3 co-sponsors

SB 5886 expands FIIRE funding to cover safety culture assessments and training for firefighters and their employers, funded by up to 2% of prior-year premiums.

Effective date 6/6/2024.
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Bill Summary · SB 5886

SB 5886 — Summary

A concise overview of the bill, its purposes, key provisions, affected parties, and timeline.

Purpose and intent

  • To expand the use of existing Firefighter Injury and Illness Reduction (FIIRE) funding administered by the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).
  • Specifically, to allow funds to be used for safety culture assessments and safety intervention training for firefighters and their employers.

What the bill does

  • Amends RCW 51.04.175 to expand allowed uses of funding provided from premiums paid by firefighter risk classes.
  • Authorized use (two main purposes): 1) Purchase additional equipment and gear needed to follow best practices for firefighter safety. 2) Participation in assessments or training related to safety culture or other safety intervention activities, including safety culture assessments and related training.
  • The Department may grant funds to eligible State Fund employers of firefighters to cover these expanded purposes.
  • The Department may require matching funds from employers.

Funding mechanics

  • Funding source: Up to 2% of the premiums paid in the prior year from the risk classes for firefighters (consistent with existing FIIRE provisions).
  • No new appropriation is required for these expenditures.
  • Eligibility: Only employers who pay premiums to the State Fund (as defined by RCW 51.08.175) are eligible.
  • Administrative flexibility: The Department may adopt rules as necessary to implement the expanded funding uses.

Who is affected

  • State Fund employers of firefighters (those paying premiums to the State Fund).
  • Firefighters and their departments, particularly those with limited resources, who would benefit from safety culture assessments and targeted safety training.

Timing and procedural details

  • Effective date: 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill was passed (the enacted effective date is 6/6/2024).
  • Legislative history:
    • Introduced: December 20, 2023
    • Passed Legislature: February 2024 (Senate and House)
    • Governor signed: March 13, 2024
  • Public testimony: No public hearing was held for this bill; none listed as testifying.

Fiscal note

  • No new appropriation is required; funding remains governed by the existing 2% premium provision.
  • Fiscal impact was noted as “Fiscal Note: Available,” but no additional appropriations are described in the bill text.

Context and background

  • The FIIRE program, created following 2019 legislation, supports safety improvements for firefighter employers, including premium discounts for implementing best practices and associated funding to procure equipment or gear.
  • SB 5886 broadens the scope to include safety culture assessments and related training, reinforcing proactive safety interventions beyond equipment purchases.

This summary presents the substantive changes and potential impact of SB 5886, focusing on how it alters the use of existing firefighter safety funding to promote safety culture and intervention activities.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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