Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Transportation Committee |
SSB 6475
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Prohibiting the imposition of regional transit authority property taxes on less than a whole parcel.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Hobbs, Palumbo, King, Wagoner, McCoy and Liias).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/15/18
Staff: David Munnecke (786-7315).
Background:
A Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is authorized to use its tax revenues to develop and operate a high-capacity transportation system. There is currently one RTA, Sound Transit, which operates light rail, commuter rail service, and express bus service. The boundaries of the Sound Transit district generally follow the urban growth boundaries of King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties.
After the approval of the most recent system expansion plan in 2016, Sound Transit imposes the following taxes within the boundaries of the Sound Transit district:
a sales and use tax of 1.4 percent;
a motor vehicle excise tax of 1.1 percent;
a property tax of 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation; and
a rental car sales and use tax of 0.8 percent.
Summary of Bill:
A RTA is prohibited from imposing a property tax on less than a whole parcel of property.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.