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House approves Armstrong
bill to allow TV reception district fees to be used for emergency
services communications
Measure would allow for better police, fire
communications in Methow Valley
A bill sponsored by
Rep. Mike
Armstrong that would allow
the use of an existing fee to support police, fire, ambulance and other
emergency services communications in the Methow Valley, passed the
Washington House of Representatives today, 95-1.
Armstrong, R-Wenatchee,
says television reception districts were created by legislation in 1971
to help bring television broadcast signals into mountainous areas of the
state. The districts were given authority to collect an excise tax of no
more than $60 per year per television set to support the operations of
translator stations.
"Years ago, it used to be
that up on these mountain tops it was just TV antennas that would
provide a stronger signal for television reception in the valleys. But
now, with more radio and emergency broadcast systems that need to go up
on these mountains, these television reception districts have
diversified to provide a wider range of communications," said Armstrong.
"This bill would allow television reception districts to use those fees
they already collect to construct, maintain and operate public safety
emergency communications systems in these rural parts of the state."
Armstrong said he
introduced
House Bill 2337 on behalf of the
Methow Valley
Communications District. The district's chair, Sue Roberts, says an
annual, voluntary fee of $35 is billed by the county to about 3,300
local households to support broadcast signals in the Methow Valley.
About 2,000 paid last year.
"We're trying to make it a
little more fair for the people who live in the valley and are taking
advantage of having fire, sheriff and ambulance service communications
available to everyone within the community," said Roberts. "We're not
looking for more money."
The measure now goes to
the Senate for further consideration.
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For more information, contact:
John
Sattgast, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7257
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