Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Finance Committee
HB 2058
Brief Description: Concerning the preservation and protection of facilities owned by the state parks and recreation commission that are listed on the Washington heritage register or the national register of historic places.
Sponsors: Representatives Tharinger, Leavitt, Santos, Shewmake, Harris-Talley, Eslick and Lekanoff.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Provides a leasehold excise tax exemption for State Parks and Recreation Commission-owned facilities that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places or the Washington Heritage Register.
Hearing Date: 2/3/22
Staff: Kyle Raymond (786-7190).
Background:

Leasehold Excise Tax.

State leasehold excise taxes are levied and collected on the act or privilege of occupying or using publicly owned real or personal property through a leasehold interest.  A leasehold interest is an interest in publicly owned real or personal property that exists by virtue of any lease, permit, license, or other written or verbal agreement between a public owner and a person who would not be exempt from property taxes if that person owned the property.  The leasehold excise tax is levied at a rate of 12.84 percent of taxable rent.

 

Historic Registers.
The National Register of Historic Places (National Register) is an official listing of historically significant sites and properties throughout the country.  The Washington Heritage Register (Washington Register) is an official listing of historically significant sites and properties found throughout Washington.  The Washington Register was established in 1971 as an alternative to the National Register.  The Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation maintains the Washington Register and administers the National Register for the state.
Summary of Bill:

A leasehold tax exemption is available for State Parks and Recreation Commission-owned facilities that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places or the Washington Heritage Register.

 

This act is exempt from the requirements of a tax preference performance statement, a Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee study, and the automatic 10-year expiration.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 25, 2022.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on January 1, 2023.