SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SJR 8220

             AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS,

                               FEBRUARY 25, 1991

Brief Description:  Amending the Constitution to assess low‑income housing property and single family residential dwellings at their current use.

SPONSORS:Senators McCaslin, Conner, Murray and A. Smith.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Roach, Vice Chairman; and Sutherland. 

Staff:  Martin Lovinger (786‑7443)

Hearing Dates: February 21, 1991; February 25, 1991

BACKGROUND:

The Washington State Constitution provides that property is to be valued for tax purposes on the basis of its true and fair value which is not limited to its current use.  In 1967 the State Constitution was amended to permit the Legislature to authorize farms, agricultural lands, standing timber, timber lands, and open space used for recreational or scenic purposes to be valued, for tax purposes, on the basis of current use rather than true and fair value.

SUMMARY:

The Legislature is permitted to authorize the following exceptions:  property with buildings that comply with health and safety standards, devoted primarily to low-income housing, and contain five or more low-income units;  or any single family residential dwelling.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:  None

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  No one