SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6337

              As Passed Senate, February 10, 1998

Title:  An act relating to property tax exemptions for nonprofit organizations.

Brief Description:  Modifying property tax exemptions for nonprofit organizations.

Sponsors:  Senators Winsley, Kline, Patterson, Kohl, Fairley, Brown, Goings, McAuliffe and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Ways & Means:  1/20/98, 1/27/98 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/10/98, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators West, Chair; Strannigan, Vice Chair; Brown, Fraser, Hochstatter, Kohl, Long, Loveland, Rossi, B. Sheldon, Snyder, Spanel, Swecker, Thibaudeau, Winsley and Zarelli.

Staff:  David Schumacher (786-7474)

Background:   All real and personal property in this state is subject to property tax each year based on its value, unless a specific exemption is provided by law.  The tax bill is determined by multiplying the assessed value by the tax rate for each taxing district in which the property is located. 

The state annually levies a statewide property tax limited to a rate no greater than $3.60 per $1,000 of market value.  The state property tax is also limited (due to the passage of Referendum 47) by an inflation limit which has had the effect of keeping the rate well below $3.60.  The state tax rate for 1998 is $3.18 per $1,000 of market value.

There are several exemptions from property tax.  Some exemptions are available for housing-related properties.  For example, property belonging to a nonprofit home for the aging can qualify for a partial or total exemption.  In addition, persons over age 61 or retired, due to disability, who have incomes below $28,000 are eligible for a partial exemption from the property tax on their home.

Currently, property used by nonprofit organizations in providing emergency or transitional housing for low income homeless persons or victims of domestic violence is exempt from property tax.  To qualify for the exemption, the property must either be (1) owned by the nonprofit or (2) rented or leased by the nonprofit (in the years 1991 to 1999).

Summary of Bill:  The exemption for rented or leased property is indefinitely allowed by removing the limitation that the exemption only applies through 1999.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 19, 1998.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The money saved from this property tax exemption goes directly to help the homeless and victims of domestic violence.  Without it, programs would have to be reduced.  Though it seems not to be much money, this is a very valuable exemption to the nonprofits.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  William Friedhoff, The Compass Center; Majken Ryherd Keira, WA Low-Income Housing Congress; Eric Page, Washington State Catholic Conference; Sharon Case, WA State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.