S-3663.2 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL 6283
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State of Washington 55th Legislature 1998 Regular Session
By Senators Hochstatter, Schow and Benton
Read first time 01/14/98. Referred to Committee on Education.
AN ACT Relating to K-12 public education property tax credits; and adding a new chapter to Title 84 RCW.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature is in agreement with founding father Thomas Jefferson's statement, "To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical."
The legislature further acknowledges and reaffirms Article I, section 11 of the state Constitution: "Absolute freedom of conscience in all matters of religious sentiment, belief and worship, shall be guaranteed to every individual, and no one shall be molested or disturbed in person or property on account of religion . . .."
Therefore, to support these unalienable rights of conscience and beliefs, the legislature hereby provides tax credits for that portion of property taxes designated for K-12 public education for conscientious objectors.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A credit is allowed under this section for taxes paid under this chapter in the following amounts:
(1) An amount equal to that portion of the taxpayer's property taxes designated for K-12 public education up to the amount of the taxpayer's contribution to a private school of the taxpayer's choice located within the county of the taxpayer's residence, if:
(a) The taxpayer files a notarized statement of conscientious objection with the county treasurer; and
(b) The taxpayer provides the county treasurer with written proof of the receipt of the contribution by the school; and
(2) If the taxpayer is a parent who through conscientious objection has elected to home school the taxpayer's children, an amount equal to that portion of the taxpayer's property taxes designated for K-12 public education up to the amount that taxpayer expended for the education of the taxpayer's children, if:
(a) The taxpayer files a notarized statement of conscientious objection with the county treasurer; and
(b) The taxpayer submits written receipts to the county treasurer as evidence that the taxpayer expended equal funds for the education of the taxpayer's children.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. This act applies to property taxes levied for collection in 1999 and thereafter.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Sections 1 through 3 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 84 RCW.
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