Relating to fees and charges for municipality-provided fire services
SB 601 requires county commissions to approve fire service fees imposed by municipalities on individuals or businesses located outside the municipality. It directly affects non-resident property owners and businesses that receive fire services from a neighboring municipality. The bill establishes two key mechanisms: (1) county commission approval before such fees can be imposed, and (2) a process where affected non-residents can challenge fees through a petition and countywide vote. If 30% of qualified voters petition against a fee, the county commission must hold a referendum for residents to approve or reject the fee. This changes the current system by adding county oversight and voter input for fees impacting non-residents.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 26, 2025
Last action Mar 24, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced Version
→
Committee Substitute
·
4 edits
MODERATE
This bill amends fire service fee laws to require county commission approval before municipalities can charge fees to residents or businesses outside their boundaries. It also adds a protest mechanism allowing county residents to challenge such fees through petition and referendum. The changes strengthen local control over cross-boundary fire service charges and provide a clearer process for residents to contest them.
Scope change
Expanded to cover municipality-provided fire services affecting non-residents, requiring county commission approval before fees can be imposed on individuals or businesses located outside the municipality.
REQUIREMENT
Requires county commission approval before municipalities can impose fire service fees on individuals or businesses located outside the municipality boundaries.
ELIGIBILITY
Adds a protest mechanism allowing county residents to challenge municipality-imposed fire fees through petition and countywide referendum.
TIMELINE
Extends the protest period to 45 days after notice expiration and requires publication of anticipated fee allocation before referendum.
ENFORCEMENT
Mandates that ordinances imposing fees on non-residents cannot become effective until ratified by a majority of legal votes at a countywide election if protested by 30% of qualified voters.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 21, 2025
How they voted
32–1
Passed
Total votes 33
Mar 21, 2025
D
Democratic2
100% Yea
R
Republican31
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
16
Key actions
2
Committee
4
Mar 24, 2025
Committee
To House Finance
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Committee
To Finance
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
Mar 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (Roll No. 147)
upper
Mar 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee substitute reported
upper
Feb 26, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
Feb 26, 2025
Committee
To Government Organization
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Vince Deeds
RRepublican
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