S-1456.1 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL 5873
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State of Washington 53rd Legislature 1993 Regular Session
By Senators Bluechel, Skratek and Winsley
Read first time 02/19/93. Referred to Committee on Trade, Technology & Economic Development.
AN ACT Relating to work force training; and adding a new chapter to Title 82 RCW.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that recent economic upheavals point out the inadequacy of the narrow economic base in the state of Washington. Major technological, economic, and demographic changes have exacerbated the need for improved training and education to create and maintain a high quality, competitive work force to meet the needs of the twenty-first century. The legislature declares that there is a great need to diversify the state's economy by fostering and attracting new industrial enterprises such as microelectronics, biotechnology, robotics, computer-related technologies, telecommunications, and new materials industries.
The legislature also finds that this state's commitment to supplying a highly trained work force to provide the backbone for these new industries has been notably lacking. Following the downturn or elimination of many traditional state industries, Washington finds itself with a shortage of available workers with the skills and training necessary to supply the burgeoning new high technology industries that are so important to the future of this state.
The legislature further finds that there is great need to improve the investment in postsecondary and vocational educational opportunities. The legislature also finds that in the past twelve years, these opportunities have been severely restricted by state budget policy. The legislature recognizes that greater emphasis must be placed on the needs of employers and on the needs of the three-fourths of our young people who enter the labor force without a baccalaureate degree.
Therefore, the legislature declares that the policy of this state is to establish a secure method to provide the needed funding for postsecondary work force training in the state.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. In addition to any other taxes authorized by law, there is levied and there shall be collected by the department of revenue from every person for the privilege of engaging in business in this state a payroll tax at the rate of two cents for each hour or fraction thereof worked by an employee of the business. The tax shall apply only to hours worked in this state.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Every person shall deduct from the pay of each of his or her employees one-half of the amount of the tax imposed under section 2 of this act on the hours of the employees.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Taxes collected under this chapter shall be deposited into the work force training account hereby created in the state treasury. Moneys in the work force training account may only be used for postsecondary vocational and technical training and retraining of workers.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. Chapter 82.32 RCW applies to the taxes imposed under this chapter, except that the taxes, along with reports and returns, shall be due quarterly on or before the last day of the month next succeeding the end of the quarter covered by the return.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The department of revenue shall adopt rules to implement this chapter.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. Sections 1 through 6 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 82 RCW.
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