House Capital Budget Committee schedules public hearing of Abbarno’s rural fire station grant bill for this Thursday

On Thursday, State Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, is scheduled to testify in support of his bill that would provide new funding for rural fire departments.  

House Bill 1014 would establish a new grant funding source for rural fire departments whose buildings and equipment are inadequate to meet the fire safety needs of their growing communities.

The bill is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Capital Budget Committee on Thursday, Jan. 19 at 1:30 p.m. 

“With our state's rapid population growth, many fire departments, particularly in rural communities are struggling to meet the demand,” said Abbarno, who is an assistant ranking member on the committee. “Many of our rural fire departments are serving their communities with very old, outdated fire stations and equipment. This timely legislation would help rural communities raise the funds necessary to improve fire infrastructure, relieving the economic burden on working families and small businesses. It's a win-win for fire safety and property taxpayers.”

If enacted, the bill would direct the Department of Commerce to establish a competitive grant program to award up to $2 million to local governments in rural counties for capital projects that would improve fire protection services.

With support from both Republicans and Democrats, the bill currently has 11 cosponsors.

“It's great to see legislators come together to support commonsense legislation that will deliver tangible results to underserved communities,” added Abbarno.  

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Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov