HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1313
As Reported By House Committee on:
Revenue
Title: An act relating to senior citizen property tax relief.
Brief Description: Modifying qualifications for senior citizen property tax relief.
Sponsor(s): Representatives Fraser, Brumsickle, Phillips, Jones and Scott.
Brief History:
Reported by House Committee on:
Revenue, January 29, 1991, DPS.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON
REVENUE
Majority Report: That Substitute House Bill No. 1313 be substituted therefore, and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 14 members: Representatives Wang, Chair; Fraser, Vice Chair; Holland, Ranking Minority Member; Wynne, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appelwick; Brumsickle; Day; Leonard; Morris; Morton; Phillips; Rust; Silver; and Van Luven.
Staff: Rick Peterson (786-7150).
Background: Qualifying senior citizens and retired disabled persons are entitled to a property tax exemption on their principal residence. To qualify a person must be 61 on January 1st of the application year, or retired from employment because of a physical disability. In addition, the disposable income of the applicant's household must fall below $18,000 a year.
Summary of Substitute Bill: The age for qualification in the senior citizen property tax exemption program is reduced by one year. A person may qualify if they are 61 years old by December 31st of the year of application.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: Original bill allowed capital gain realized on the sale of a residence not to be added to the applicant's disposable income if the gain was transferred to a new principal residence.
Fiscal Note: Requested January 24, 1991.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: Effective for taxes levied for collection in 1992.
Testimony For: Seniors should be able to apply in time to receive tax relief when they are 62 years old, anytime during the year.
Testimony Against: None.
Witnesses: Ann Clifton, Thurston County Assessor (in favor).