Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, today won unanimous Senate approval of her bill to give fire districts flexibility to increase or decrease the size of their board of commissioners.

Roach introduced the bill at the request of East Pierce Fire and Rescue commissioners where recent consolidations have significantly increased the size of the district.

“As populations grow or shift, fire districts may consolidate and their service areas may expand,” Roach said. “They need flexibility to add commissioners to adequately perform their functions and meet the needs of the people and property they protect.”

Substitute Senate Bill 5766 provides that fire protection districts with an annual budget of $10 million or more may increase the number of their commissioners from five to seven. The board of commissioners may do this by resolution or by a public vote. The commissioners must divide the fire protection district into seven commissioner districts before it appoints the two new members.

“The same process applies if a board of commissioners wants to decrease in size from seven to five members,” Roach said.

SSB 5766 is now before the House of Representatives for consideration