(1) Introduction. This rule contains definitions of the terms used throughout chapters 84.52 and 84.55 RCW and chapter 458-19 WAC in the administration of the system used to levy property taxes on taxable property within the state of Washington.

(2) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the following definitions apply:

(a) "Annexation" means one taxing district is adding territory or another dissimilar taxing district from outside the annexing taxing district's boundary and includes a merger of a portion of a fire protection district under chapter 52.06 RCW with another fire protection district.

(b) "Assessed value" means the value of taxable property placed on the assessment rolls. The term is often abbreviated with the initials "A.V."

(c) "Certified property tax levy rate" means the tax rate calculated by the county assessor in accordance with law to produce the lawful amount of the certified property tax levy.

(d) "Consolidated levy rate" means:

(i) For purposes of the statutory aggregate dollar rate levy limit, the sum of all regular levy rates set for collection ((exclusive of)), not including the rates ((set)) for the state levy, ports, public utility districts, financing affordable housing ((for very low-income households)) under RCW 84.52.105, acquiring conservation futures under RCW 84.34.230, criminal justice purposes under RCW 84.52.135, emergency medical care or emergency medical services under RCW 84.52.069, county ferry districts under RCW 36.54.130, the portions of the fire protection and regional fire protection service authority levies protected under RCW 84.52.125, the portion of metropolitan park district levies protected under RCW 84.52.120, transit-related purposes under RCW 84.52.140, the protected portion of the levies imposed under RCW 84.52.816 by flood control zone districts, and levies imposed by a regional transit authority under RCW 81.104.175; and

(ii) For purposes of the constitutional one percent limit, the sum of all regular levy rates set for collection ((exclusive of)), including the rates for the state levy, but not including the rates ((set)) for port and public utility districts.

(e) "Consolidation" means the act of combining two or more similar taxing districts into one taxing district; for example, the combination of two fire protection districts into one fire protection district.

(f) "Constitutional one percent limit" means the levy limit established by Article VII, section 2 of the state Constitution, which prohibits the aggregate of all tax levies on real and personal property from exceeding one percent ($10 per $1,000) of the true and fair value of property. This limit does not apply to excess levies, levies by port districts, and levies by public utility districts. This limit is also set forth in RCW 84.52.050.

(g) "Department" means the department of revenue of the state of Washington.

(h) "Excess property tax levy" or "excess levy" means a voter-approved property tax levy by or for a taxing district, other than a port or public utility district, that is subject to neither the statutory aggregate dollar rate limit set forth in RCW 84.52.043 nor the constitutional one percent limit set forth in Article VII, section 2 of the state Constitution and in RCW 84.52.050. It does not include regular levies allowed to exceed the levy limit with voter approval.

(i) "Improvement" means any valuable change in or addition to real property, including the subdivision or segregation of parcels of real property or the merger of parcels of real property.

(j) "Inflation" means the percentage change in the implicit price deflator for personal consumption expenditures for the United States as published for the most recent twelve-month period by the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the Federal Department of Commerce by September 25th of the year before the taxes are payable; see RCW 84.55.005.

(k) "Joint taxing district" means a taxing district that exists in two or more counties; the term does not include the state nor does it include an intercounty rural library district.

(l) "Junior taxing district" means a taxing district other than the state, a county, a county road district, a city, a town, a port district, or a public utility district.

(m) "Levy limit" means:

(i) The statutorily established limit that prohibits a taxing district, other than the state, from levying regular property taxes for a particular year that exceed the limit factor multiplied by the highest amount of regular property taxes that could have been lawfully levied in the taxing district in any year since 1985, plus an additional dollar amount calculated by multiplying the regular property tax levy rate of that district for the preceding year, or the last year the taxing district levied taxes, by the increase in assessed value in the taxing district resulting from:

(A) New construction;

(B) Improvements to property;

(C) Increases in the assessed value of state assessed property; and

(D) Increases in assessed value due to the construction of wind turbine, solar, biomass, and geothermal facilities, if such facilities generate electricity and the property is not included elsewhere under chapter 84.55 RCW for purposes of providing an additional dollar amount. The property may be classified as real or personal property.

(ii) For purposes of the levy limit, the phrase "highest amount of regular property taxes that could have been lawfully levied" means the maximum amount that could have been levied by a taxing district under the limitation set forth in chapter 84.55 RCW unless the highest amount that could have been levied was actually restricted by the taxing district's statutory dollar rate limit. If the taxing district's levy was restricted by the statutory dollar rate limit, the highest amount that could have been lawfully levied is the amount produced by multiplying the assessed value of the taxing district by the statutory dollar rate.

(iii) For purposes of the levy limit, the regular property tax levy rate of the district for the preceding year, or the last year the taxing district levied taxes, may reflect a reduced rate due to the $5.90 statutory aggregate limitation and/or the constitutional one percent limitation, if prorating occurred in the district.

The regular property tax levy rate of the district for the preceding year may also reflect a levy error or a levy error correction. If this occurs, the rate used will be the rate had the levy error or levy error correction not occurred. RCW 84.52.085.

(iv) The levy limit for the state is the amount calculated under WAC 458-19-550.

(n) "Levy rate" means the dollar amount per thousand dollars of assessed value applied to taxable property within a taxing district and is calculated by dividing the total amount of a statutorily authorized levy of a taxing district by the total assessed value of that district and is expressed in dollars and cents per thousand dollars of assessed value.

(o) "Limit factor" means:

(i) For taxing districts with a population of less than ten thousand in the calendar year immediately prior to the assessment year, one hundred one percent;

(ii) For taxing districts, other than the state, having made a finding of substantial need in accordance with RCW 84.55.0101, the lesser of the substantial need factor or one hundred one percent;

(iii) For all other taxing districts, excluding the state, the lesser of one hundred one percent or one hundred percent plus inflation; or

(iv) For the state, the limits described in WAC 458-19-550.

(p) "New construction" means the construction or alteration of any property for which a building permit was issued, or should have been issued, under chapter 19.27, 19.27A, or 19.28 RCW or other laws providing for building permits, which results in an increase in the value of the property.

(q) "Regular property tax levy" or "regular levy" means a property tax levy by or for a taxing district that is subject to the statutory aggregate dollar rate limit set forth in RCW 84.52.043, the constitutional one percent limit set forth in RCW 84.52.050, or is a levy imposed by or for a port district or a public utility district.

(r) "Regular property taxes" means those taxes resulting from regular property tax levies.

(s) "Senior taxing district" means the state (for support of common schools), a county, a county road district, a city, or a town.

(t) "Statutory aggregate dollar rate limit" or "statutory aggregate limit" means the maximum aggregate regular property tax levy rate within a county established by law for senior and junior taxing districts, other than the state. The current limit is $5.90 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. See RCW 84.52.043 and WAC 458-19-070.

(u) "Statutory dollar rate limit" means the maximum regular property tax levy rate established by law for a particular type of taxing district.

(v) "Substantial need limit factor" means a limit factor approved by a taxing district's legislative authority that exceeds one hundred percent plus inflation. This limit cannot exceed one hundred one percent.

(((v) "Statutory dollar rate limit" means the maximum regular property tax levy rate established by law for a particular type of taxing district.))

(w) "Super majority" means a majority of at least three-fifths of the registered voters of a taxing district approving a proposition authorizing a levy, at which election the number of persons voting "yes" on the proposition constitutes three-fifths of a number equal to forty percent of the total votes cast in the taxing district in the last preceding general election; or by a majority of at least three-fifths of the registered voters of the taxing district voting on the proposition when the number of registered voters voting on the proposition exceeds forty percent of the total votes cast in the taxing district in the last preceding general election.

(x) "Tax code area" means a geographical area made up of one or more taxing districts, which is established for the purpose of properly calculating, collecting, and distributing taxes. Only one tax code area will have the same combination of taxing districts, with limited exceptions.

(y) "Taxing district" means the state and any county, city, town, port district, school district, road district, metropolitan park district, regional transit authority, water-sewer district, or other municipal corporation, having the power or legal authority to impose burdens upon property within the district on an ad valorem basis, for the purpose of obtaining revenue for public purposes, as distinguished from municipal corporations authorized to impose burdens, or for which burdens may be imposed for public purposes, on property in proportion to the increase in benefits received.

(1) Introduction.This rule describes the process used to reduce or eliminate a levy rate when the assessor finds the statutory aggregate dollar rate limit exceeds five dollars and ninety cents. The aggregate of all regular levy rates of junior taxing districts and senior taxing districts, other than the state and other specifically identified districts, cannot exceed five dollars and ninety cents per thousand dollars of assessed value in accordance with RCW 84.52.043. When the county assessor finds that this limit has been exceeded, the assessor ((recomputes))recalculates the levy rates and establishes a new consolidated levy rate ((in the manner set forth))as described in RCW 84.52.010. ((This rule describes the prorationing process used to establish a consolidated levy rate when the assessor finds the statutory aggregate levy rate exceeds five dollars and ninety cents. If prorationing is required,))The five dollar and ninety cents statutory aggregate dollar rate limit is reviewed before the constitutional one percent limit.

(2) Levies not subject to statutory aggregate dollar rate limit. The following levies are not subject to the statutory aggregate dollar rate limit of five dollars and ninety cents per thousand dollars of assessed value:

(a) Levies by the state;

(b) Levies by or for port or public utility districts;

(c) Excess property tax levies authorized in Article VII, section 2 of the state Constitution;

(d) Levies by or for county ferry districts under RCW 36.54.130;

(e) Levies for acquiring conservation futures under RCW 84.34.230;

(f) Levies for emergency medical care or emergency medical services under RCW 84.52.069;

(g) Levies for financing affordable housing ((for very low-income households)) under RCW 84.52.105;

(h) The portion of metropolitan park district levies protected under RCW 84.52.120;

(i) The portions of levies by fire protection districts and regional fire protection service authorities protected under RCW 84.52.125;

(j) Levies for criminal justice purposes under RCW 84.52.135;

(k) Levies for transit-related purposes by a county under RCW 84.52.140;

(l) The protected portion of the levies imposed under RCW 84.52.816 by flood control zone districts; and

(m) Levies imposed by a regional transit authority under RCW 81.104.175.

(3) ((Prorationing under))Consolidated levy rate limitation. RCW 84.52.010 ((sets forth the prorationing))explains the order in which the regular levies of taxing districts will be reduced or eliminated by the assessor to comply with the statutory aggregate dollar rate limit of five dollars and ninety cents per thousand dollars of assessed value. The order ((contained)) in the statute lists which taxing districts are the first to either reduce or eliminate their levy rate. Taxing districts that are at the same level ((within the prorationing order)) are grouped together in tiers. Reductions or eliminations in levy rates are made on a pro rata basis within each tier of taxing district levies until the consolidated levy rate no longer exceeds the statutory aggregate dollar rate limit of five dollars and ninety cents.

As opposed to the order ((contained)) in RCW 84.52.010, which lists the taxing districts that are the first to have their levy rates reduced or eliminated, this rule is written in reverse order; that is, it lists the taxing districts that must be first either fully or partially funded. If the statutory aggregate dollar rate is exceeded, then the levy rates for taxing districts within a particular tier must be reduced or eliminated on a pro rata basis. The proration factor, which is multiplied by each levy rate within the tier, is obtained by dividing the dollar rate remaining available to the taxing districts in that tier as a group by the sum of the levy rates originally certified by or for all of the taxing districts within the tier.

(a) Step one: Total the aggregate regular levy rates requested by all affected taxing districts in the tax code area. If this total is less than five dollars and ninety cents per thousand dollars of assessed value, no ((prorationing))levy rate reduction or elimination is necessary. If this total levy rate is more than five dollars and ninety cents, the assessor must proceed through the following steps until the aggregate dollar rate is brought within that limit.

(b) Step two: Subtract from $5.90 the levy rates of the county, including the rate of any separate property tax levy as described in RCW 84.55.135, and the county road district if the tax code area includes an unincorporated portion of the county, or the levy rates of the county and the city or town if the tax code area includes an incorporated area, as applicable.

(c) Step three: Subtract from the remaining levy capacity the levy rates, if any, for fire protection districts under RCW 52.16.130, regional fire protection service authorities under RCW 52.26.140 (1)(a), library districts under RCW 27.12.050 and 27.12.150, the first fifty cents per thousand dollars of assessed value for metropolitan park districts created before January 1, 2002, under RCW 35.61.210, and the first fifty cents per thousand dollars of assessed value for public hospital districts under RCW 70.44.060(6).

(i) If the balance is zero, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing district at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(ii) If the balance is less than zero, then the levies within this tier must be reduced on a pro rata basis until the balance is zero. After prorationing, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing districts at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(iii) If the remaining balance is greater than zero, this amount is available to the remaining junior taxing districts at a lower tier and the assessor should proceed on to step four.

(d) Step four: Subtract from the remaining levy capacity the levy rates, if any, for fire protection districts under RCW 52.16.140 and 52.16.160, and regional fire protection service authorities under RCW 52.26.140 (1)(b) and (c). However, under RCW 84.52.125, a fire protection district or regional fire protection service authority may protect up to twenty-five cents per thousand dollars of assessed value of the total levies made under RCW 52.16.140 and 52.16.160, or 52.26.140 (1)(b) and (c) from ((prorationing))reduction or elimination.

(i) If the balance is zero, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing districts at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(ii) If the balance is less than zero, then the levies within this tier must be reduced on a pro rata basis until the balance is zero. It is at this point that the provisions of RCW 84.52.125 come into play; that is, a fire protection district or regional fire protection service authority may protect up to twenty-five cents per thousand dollars of assessed value of the total levies made under RCW 52.16.140 and 52.16.160, or 52.26.140 (1)(b) and (c) from ((prorationing))reduction or elimination under RCW 84.52.043(2), if the total levies would otherwise be ((prorated))reduced or eliminated under RCW 84.52.010 (3)(a)(iii) with respect to the five-dollar and ninety cent per thousand dollars of assessed value limit. After prorationing, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing district at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(iii) If the remaining balance is greater than zero, this amount is available to the remaining junior taxing districts at a lower tier and the assessor should proceed on to step five.

(e) Step five: Subtract from the remaining levy capacity the levy rate, if any, for the first fifty cents per thousand dollars of assessed value of metropolitan park districts created on or after January 1, 2002, under RCW 35.61.210.

(i) If the balance is zero, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing districts at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(ii) If the balance is less than zero, then the levies within this tier must be reduced on a pro rata basis until the balance is zero. After prorationing, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing district at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(iii) If the remaining balance is greater than zero, this amount is available to the remaining junior taxing districts at a lower tier and the assessor should proceed on to step six.

(f) Step six: Subtract from the remaining levy capacity the twenty-five cent per thousand dollars of assessed value levy rate for metropolitan park districts if it is not protected under RCW 84.52.120, the twenty-five cent per thousand dollars of assessed value levy rate for public hospital districts under RCW 70.44.060(6), and the levy rates, if any, for cemetery districts under RCW 68.52.310 and all other junior taxing districts if those levies are not listed in steps three through five or seven or eight of this subsection.

(i) If the balance is zero, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing districts at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(ii) If the balance is less than zero, then the levies within this tier must be reduced on a pro rata basis until the balance is zero. After prorationing, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing district at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(iii) If the remaining balance is greater than zero, this amount is available to the remaining junior taxing districts at a lower tier and the assessor should proceed on to step seven.

(g) Step seven: Subtract from the remaining levy capacity the levy rate, if any, for flood control zone districts other than the portion of a levy protected under RCW 84.52.816.

(i) If the balance is zero, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing districts at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(ii) If the balance is less than zero, then the levies within this tier must be reduced on a pro rata basis until the balance is zero. After prorationing, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing district at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(iii) If the remaining balance is greater than zero, this amount is available to the remaining junior taxing districts at a lower tier and the assessor should proceed on to step eight.

(h) Step eight: Subtract from the remaining levy capacity the levy rates, if any, for city transportation authorities under RCW 35.95A.100, park and recreation service areas under RCW 36.68.525, park and recreation districts under RCW 36.69.145, and cultural arts, stadium, and convention districts under RCW 67.38.130.

(i) If the balance is zero, there is no remaining levy capacity for other junior taxing districts at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(ii) If the balance is less than zero, then the levies within this tier must be reduced on a pro rata basis until the balance is zero. After prorationing, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing district at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(iii) If the remaining balance is greater than zero, this amount is available to the remaining junior taxing districts at a lower tier and the assessor should proceed on to step nine.

(i) Step nine: Subtract from the remaining levy capacity the levy imposed, if any, for cultural access programs under RCW 36.160.080 until the remaining levy capacity equals zero.

(4) Example.

(a) Beginning with the limit of $5.90, subtract the original certified levy rates for the county and county road taxing districts leaving $1.85 available for the remaining districts.

(b) Subtract the total of the levy rates for each district within the next tier: The library's $.50, the fire district's $.50 and the hospital's $.50 = $1.50, which leaves $.35 available for the remaining districts.

(c) Subtract the fire district's additional $.20 levy rate, which leaves $.15 available for the remaining districts.

(d) The remaining $.15 must be shared by the cemetery and the hospital districts within the next tier of levies. The cemetery district originally sought to levy $.1125 and the hospital district sought to levy $.25. The proration factor is arrived at by dividing the amount available ($.15) by the original levy rates ($.3625) requested within that tier resulting in a proration factor of .4138. Finally, the original levy rates in this tier of $.1125 and $.25 for the cemetery and hospital, respectively, are multiplied by the proration factor.

(1) Introduction.This rule explains how to determine if the constitutional one percent limit is being exceeded and the sequence in which levy rates will be reduced or eliminated in accordance with RCW 84.52.010 if the constitutional one percent limit is exceeded. The constitutional one percent calculation is made after the assessor ensures that the $5.90 statutory aggregate dollar rate limit is not exceeded. The total amount of all regular property tax levies that can be applied against taxable property is limited to one percent of the true and fair value of the property in money. The one percent limit is stated in Article VII, section 2 of the state Constitution and the enabling statute, RCW 84.52.050. The constitutional one percent limit is based ((upon))on the amount of taxes actually levied on the true and fair value of the property, not the dollar rate used in ((computing))calculating property taxes. ((This rule explains how to determine if the constitutional one percent limit is being exceeded and the sequence in which levy rates will be reduced or eliminated in accordance with RCW 84.52.010 if the constitutional one percent limit is exceeded. The constitutional one percent calculation is made after the assessor ensures that the $5.90 statutory aggregate dollar rate limit is not exceeded.))

(2) Preliminary calculations. After ((prorationing))reducing or eliminating the levy rates under RCW 84.52.043 (the ((five dollar and ninety cent per thousand dollars of assessed value))$5.90 statutory aggregate dollar rate limit) has occurred, make the following calculations to determine if the constitutional one percent limit is being exceeded:

(a) First, add together all ((the)) regular levy rates((, except))in the tax code area, including the rates for the state levy, but not the rates for port and public utility districts, ((in the tax code area,)) to arrive at a combined levy rate for that tax code area. "Regular levy rates" in this context means the levy rates that remain after ((prorationing))reduction or elimination under RCW 84.52.043 has occurred. The levy rates for port and public utility districts are not included in this ((computation))calculation because they are not subject to the constitutional one percent limit. ((The rates for the following regular levies are used to calculate the combined levy rate of any particular tax code area:

(xi) Levies imposed, if any, by a regional transit authority under RCW 81.104.175.))

(b) Second, divide ten dollars by the higher of the real or personal property ratio of the county for the assessment year in which the levy is made to determine the maximum effective levy rate. If the combined levy rate exceeds the maximum effective levy rate, then the individual levy rates must be reduced or eliminated until the combined levy rate is equal to the maximum effective levy rate.

(3) ((Prorationing - ))Constitutional one percent limit. RCW 84.52.010 ((sets forth the prorationing))provides the order in which levy rates are to be reduced or eliminated when the constitutional one percent limit is exceeded.

As opposed to the order ((contained)) in RCW 84.52.010, which lists the taxing districts that are the first to have their levy rates reduced or eliminated, this rule is written in reverse order; that is, it lists the taxing districts that must be first either fully or partially funded. If the constitutional one percent limit is exceeded, then the levy rates for taxing districts within a particular tier must be reduced or eliminated on a pro rata basis.

If the constitutional one percent limit is exceeded after performing the preliminary calculations described in subsection (2) of this rule, the following levies must be reduced or eliminated until the combined levy rate no longer exceeds the maximum effective levy rate:

(a) Step one: Subtract the aggregate levy rate calculated for the state for the support of common schools from the effective rate limit;

(b) Step two: Subtract the levy rates for the county, including the rate of any separate property tax levy as described in RCW 84.55.135, county road district, regional transit authority, and for city or town purposes;

(c) Step three: Subtract from the remaining levy capacity the levy rates for fire protection districts under RCW 52.16.130, regional fire protection service authorities under RCW 52.26.140 (1)(a), library districts under RCW 27.12.050 and 27.12.150, the first fifty cents per thousand dollars of assessed value for metropolitan park districts created before January 1, 2002, under RCW 35.61.210, and the first fifty cents per thousand dollars of assessed value for public hospital districts under RCW 70.44.060(6).

(i) If the balance is zero, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing district at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(ii) If the balance is less than zero, then the levies within this tier must be reduced on a pro rata basis until the balance is zero. After prorationing, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing districts at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(iii) If the remaining balance is greater than zero, this amount is available to the remaining junior taxing districts at a lower tier and the assessor should proceed on to step four.

(d) Step four: Subtract from the remaining levy capacity the levy rates for fire protection districts under RCW 52.16.140 and 52.16.160, and regional fire protection service authorities under RCW 52.26.140 (1)(b) and (c).

(i) If the balance is zero, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing districts at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(ii) If the balance is less than zero, then the levies within this tier must be reduced on a pro rata basis until the balance is zero. After prorationing, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing district at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(iii) If the remaining balance is greater than zero, this amount is available to the remaining junior taxing districts at a lower tier and the assessor should proceed on to step five.

(e) Step five: Subtract from the remaining levy capacity the levy rate for the first fifty cents per thousand dollars of assessed value of metropolitan park districts created on or after January 1, 2002, under RCW 35.61.210.

(i) If the balance is zero, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing districts at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(ii) If the balance is less than zero, then the levy is reduced to the remaining balance from step four. There is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing district at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(iii) If the remaining balance is greater than zero, this amount is available to the remaining junior taxing districts at a lower tier and the assessor should proceed on to step six.

(f) Step six: Subtract from the remaining levy capacity the levy rates for all other junior taxing districts if those levies are not listed in steps three through five or steps seven through seventeen of this subsection.

(i) If the balance is zero, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing districts at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(ii) If the balance is less than zero, then the levies within this tier must be reduced on a pro rata basis until the balance is zero. After prorationing, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing district at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(iii) If the remaining balance is greater than zero, this amount is available to the remaining junior taxing districts at a lower tier and the assessor should proceed on to step seven.

(g) Step seven: Subtract from the remaining levy capacity the levy rate for flood control zone districts other than the portion of a levy protected under RCW 84.52.816.

(i) If the balance is zero, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing districts at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(ii) If the balance is less than zero, then the levy is reduced to the remaining balance in step six. There is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing district at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(iii) If the remaining balance is greater than zero, this amount is available to the remaining junior taxing districts at a lower tier and the assessor should proceed on to step eight.

(h) Step eight: Subtract from the remaining levy capacity the levy rates for city transportation authorities under RCW 35.95A.100, park and recreation service areas under RCW 36.68.525, park and recreation districts under RCW 36.69.145, and cultural arts, stadium, and convention districts under RCW 67.38.130.

(i) If the balance is zero, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing districts at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(ii) If the balance is less than zero, then the levies within this tier must be reduced on a pro rata basis until the balance is zero. After prorationing, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing district at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(iii) If the remaining balance is greater than zero, this amount is available to the remaining junior taxing districts at a lower tier and the assessor should proceed on to step nine.

(i) Step nine: Subtract from the remaining levy capacity the levy imposed, if any, for cultural access programs under RCW 36.160.080.

(i) If the balance is zero, there is no remaining levy capacity from any other junior taxing districts at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(ii) If the balance is less than zero, the levy is reduced to the remaining balance in step eight. There is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing districts at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(iii) If the remaining balance is greater than zero, this amount is available to the remaining junior taxing districts at a lower tier and the assessor should proceed to step ten.

(j) Step ten: Subtract from the remaining levy capacity the levy rate for the first thirty cents per thousand dollars for emergency medical care or emergency medical services under RCW 84.52.069.

(i) If the balance is zero, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing districts at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(ii) If the balance is less than zero, then the levy is reduced to the remaining balance in step nine. There is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing district at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(iii) If the remaining balance is greater than zero, this amount is available to the remaining junior taxing districts at a lower tier and the assessor should proceed on to step eleven.

(k) Step eleven: Subtract from the remaining levy capacity the levy rates for levies used for acquiring conservation futures under RCW 84.34.230, financing affordable housing ((for very low-income households)) under RCW 84.52.105, and any portion of a levy rate for emergency medical care or emergency medical services under RCW 84.52.069 in excess of thirty cents per thousand dollars of assessed value.

(i) If the balance is zero, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing districts at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(ii) If the balance is less than zero, then the levies within this tier must be reduced on a pro rata basis until the balance is zero. After prorationing, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing district at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(iii) If the remaining balance is greater than zero, this amount is available to the remaining junior taxing districts at a lower tier and the assessor should proceed on to step twelve.

(l) Step twelve: Subtract from the remaining levy capacity the portion of the levy by a metropolitan park district with a population of one hundred fifty thousand or more that is protected under RCW 84.52.120.

(i) If the balance is zero, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing districts at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(ii) If the balance is less than zero, then the portion of the levy within this tier must be reduced to the remaining balance in step eleven. There is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing district at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(iii) If the remaining balance is greater than zero, this amount is available to the remaining junior taxing districts at a lower tier and the assessor should proceed on to step thirteen.

(m) Step thirteen: Subtract from the remaining levy capacity the levy rates for county ferry districts under RCW 36.54.130.

(i) If the balance is zero, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing districts at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(ii) If the balance is less than zero, then the levy is reduced to the remaining balance in step twelve. There is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing district at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(iii) If the remaining balance is greater than zero, this amount is available to the remaining junior taxing districts at a lower tier and the assessor should proceed on to step fourteen.

(n) Step fourteen: Subtract from the remaining levy capacity the levy rate for criminal justice purposes imposed under RCW 84.52.135.

(i) If the balance is zero, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing districts at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(ii) If the balance is less than zero, then the levy is reduced to the remaining balance in step thirteen. There is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing district at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(iii) If the remaining balance is greater than zero, this amount is available to the remaining junior taxing districts at a lower tier and the assessor should proceed on to step fifteen.

(o) Step fifteen: Subtract from the remaining levy capacity the levy rate for a fire protection district or regional fire protection service authority protected under RCW 84.52.125.

(i) If the balance is zero, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing districts at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(ii) If the balance is less than zero, then the portion of the levy within this tier must be reduced to the remaining balance in step fourteen. There is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing district at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(iii) If the remaining balance is greater than zero, this amount is available to the remaining junior taxing districts at a lower tier and the assessor should proceed on to step sixteen.

(p) Step sixteen: Subtract from the remaining levy capacity the levy rate for transit-related purposes by a county under RCW 84.52.140.

(i) If the balance is zero, there is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing districts at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(ii) If the balance is less than zero, then the levy is reduced to the remaining balance in step fifteen. There is no remaining levy capacity for any other junior taxing district at a lower tier and their levies, if any, must be eliminated.

(iii) If the remaining balance is greater than zero, this amount is available to the remaining junior taxing districts at a lower tier and the assessor should proceed on to step seventeen.

(q) Step seventeen: Subtract from the remaining levy capacity the protected portion of the levy imposed under RCW 84.52.816 by a flood control zone district until the remaining levy capacity equals zero.