SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SSB 5110

                       AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 15, 1991

Brief Description:  Expanding real property tax exemptions for senior citizens and certain retired persons.

SPONSORS:Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Bluechel, Bauer, McDonald, McMullen, Cantu, Gaspard, Bailey, Craswell, Wojahn, Sutherland, Vognild, Rasmussen, Johnson, Conner, Snyder, A. Smith, Talmadge, L. Smith, Madsen, Stratton, Murray, Rinehart, Pelz, Oke, Erwin, McCaslin and Skratek).

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5110 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Gaspard, Hayner, Johnson, L. Kreidler, Matson, Metcalf, Murray, Newhouse, Owen, Rinehart, L. Smith, Talmadge, West, Williams, and Wojahn. 

Staff:  Terry Wilson (786‑7715)

Hearing Dates:February 27, 1991; March 11, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Senior citizens at least 61 years of age and persons retired by reason of physical disability are authorized a partial property tax exemption on their principal residences and up to 1 acre of land on which they are situated if the combined disposable household incomes are $18,000 or less according to the following table:

Income Exemption

$14,001 to $18,000All excess levies

      $12,001 to $14,000All excess levies              Regular levy on greater of $24,000 or 30% of valuation  ($40,000 valuation maximum)

      $12,000 or lessAll excess levies              Regular levy on greater of   $28,000 or 50% of valuation

Application is only required in the first year, but the claimant is required to inform the county assessor of any change in status.

Qualifying persons may defer any taxes and special assessments due on the residence on up to 80 percent of the equity value in the residence.  The Department of Revenue reimburses local taxing districts the amount of their taxes and assessments deferred.  The total amount of taxes so deferred constitute a lien on the property and are due, with interest at 8 percent per year, upon sale or condemnation of the property, when the claimant ceases to reside on the property, or upon death of the claimant.

SUMMARY:

Application for exemption is required every two years.  Exemptions are increased according to the following table:

Income Exemption

$18,001 to $26,000All excess levies

$14,001 to $18,000All excess levies 

Regular levy on the greater of $40,000 or 30% of valuation   ($100,000 maximum valuation)

$12,001 to $14,000All excess levies             Regular levy on greater of $40,000 or 40% of valuation  ($100,000 valuation maximum)

      $12,000 or lessAll excess levies

Regular levy on greater of $40,000 or 50% of valuation   ($100,000 maximum valuation)

The amount of property qualifying for deferral is increased to five acres.

County assessors are required to compile data in 1992 on the number of persons using the exemption and deferral programs, income levels, and residential valuations.  Results are to be reported to the Department of Revenue by March 1, 1993.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

There is concern over escalating property taxes.  The senior citizen property tax threshold should be increased and should be indexed for inflation.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Charles McNurlin, American Association of Retired Persons (pro); Mary Lou Morrehead, Thurston County Assessor's Office (pro); Arnold Livingston, senior citizen lobby (pro); Lois Stuart (pro)