H-4298.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 2708
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State of Washington 54th Legislature 1996 Regular Session
By Representatives Sheldon, Schoesler, Hatfield, Van Luven, B. Thomas, Silver, D. Schmidt, Cairnes, Cooke and Johnson
Read first time 01/17/96. Referred to Committee on Finance.
AN ACT Relating to the impact of taxes on warehouse and distribution activity; and creating new sections.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that Washington's tax structure as it applies to warehouse and distribution activity is often cited as a deterrent to economic development.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The department of revenue shall perform a study to:
(1) Determine the current and potential impact of warehouse and distribution activity on the Washington economy;
(2) Identify the state of Washington's competitors for warehouse and distribution investment and evaluate the state's competitive status;
(3) Analyze how the current tax structure affects warehouse and distribution activity;
(4) Evaluate alternative methods of taxing warehouse and distribution activity;
(5) Identify the effects of tax incentives for warehouse and distribution activity; and
(6) Recommend to the legislature tax changes that might result in more equitable taxation of warehouse and distribution activity while preserving a stable source of revenue for funding public services in the future.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) To perform this study, the department shall form an advisory study committee with representation from warehouse and distribution interests, commercial and industrial real estate, agricultural processing, and public ports. The advisory committee shall include, but need not be limited to, two members from the house of representatives, and two members from the senate. The advisory committee may also include representatives from other groups with an interest in freight movement, as well as tax policy experts from the academic, legal, and business communities.
(2) The department of revenue shall provide staff for the purpose of the study.
(3) The department of revenue shall present a final report of the findings of the study to the committees of the legislature that deal with revenue matters by December 31, 1996.
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