WSR 19-14-051

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

[Filed June 27, 2019, 2:28 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: This rule making is necessary to implement the requirements of SHB 1406. SHB 1406 authorizes the governing body of a county or city to impose a local sales tax, credited against the state sales tax, for affordable or supportive housing. It also requires the department of commerce to commence rule making to define the reporting requirements and process for cities and counties participating in the program.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 288, Laws of 2019.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The Encouraging Investments in Affordable and Supportive Housing Act directs commerce to adopt rules that define the reporting requirements and process for cities and counties participating in the program.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Washington state department of revenue (DOR) is responsible for collecting the tax authorized by this act. Commerce will work with DOR to coordinate the required data collection and communications with local governments.

Process for Developing New Rule: Standard rule-making process.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Emily Grossman, P.O. Box 42525, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-725-2798, email emily.grossman@commerce.wa.gov, web site commerce.wa.gov.

June 27, 2019

Leslie Wolff

Rules Coordinator