SENATE BILL REPORT

                 ESSJR 8220

                As Passed Senate, March 7, 1996

Brief Description:  Amending the state Constitution to allow a credit against property taxes on residential property.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Sutherland and Swecker).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Ways & Means:  3/7/96 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 3/7/96, 41-8.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 8220 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Bauer, Cantu, Finkbeiner, Fraser, Hargrove, Hochstatter, Johnson, Long, McDonald, Moyer, Quigley, Roach, Sheldon, Strannigan, Sutherland, Winsley and Wojahn.

Staff:  Terry Wilson (786-7433)

Background:  The Constitution limits the amount of property taxes that may be imposed on an individual parcel of property without voter approval to 1 percent of its true and fair value, or $10 per $1,000 of assessed value.  Of this, the state levy is limited to $3.60 per $1,000 of assessed value, equalized to market value, for the support of the common schools.

Summary of Bill:  The Legislature is authorized to provide a credit against state property taxes equal to the taxes imposed on a fixed value for residential property not primarily used for commercial purposes.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Thirty days after the election at which it is approved.