FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5443

                          C 251 L 95

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Requiring taxing districts to hold hearings about using the authorized amount of property tax.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Government Operations (originally sponsored by Senators Drew, Fairley, Quigley, McAuliffe, Hargrove, Haugen, Owen, Rasmussen, Loveland, Smith, Gaspard and Franklin).

Senate Committee on Government Operations

House Committee on Government Operations

Background:  A number of taxing districts collect regular property tax levies.  They include, but are not limited to:  counties; cities; towns; a metropolitan park district; fire protection districts; library districts; hospital districts; flood control zone districts; cemetery districts; park and recreation districts; and emergency medical service districts.

The levy for a taxing district in any year must be set so that the regular property taxes payable in the following year do not exceed 106 percent of the levies for the district in the highest of the three most recent years in which the taxes were levied (plus an increase in value resulting from new construction and improvements to property).

Summary:  A taxing district, other than the state, that collects regular levies must hold a public hearing on revenue sources for the taxing district's following year's operating budget.  The hearing must include consideration of possible increases in property tax revenues.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate    45 3

House     92 0 (House amended)

Senate    44 0 (Senate concurred)

Effective:  July 23, 1995