[atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to telecommunication taxes; amending RCW 82.04.065, 82.04.060, 82.04.460, 82.08.020, 82.08.0289, 82.12.010, 82.12.020, 82.12.035, 82.14.020, 82.14.030, 82.14.045, 82.14.0485, 82.14.0494, 82.14.370, 81.104.170, 82.16.010, 82.16.020, 35.21.710, 35.21.711, 35.21.714, 35.21.715, 35.21.860, 35.21.865, 35.21.870, and 35A.82.050; reenacting and amending RCW 82.04.050 and 82.04.190; adding a new section to chapter 82.08 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 82.14 RCW; creating a new section; repealing RCW 35.21.712, 35.21.871, 35A.82.055, 35A.82.060, 35A.82.065, and 35A.82.070; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

PART I

GENERAL DEFINITIONS AND BUSINESS AND OCCUPATION TAX

Sec. 101. RCW 82.04.065 and 1997 c 304 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) (("Competitive telephone service" means the providing by any person of telecommunications equipment or apparatus, or service related to that equipment or apparatus such as repair or maintenance service, if the equipment or apparatus is of a type which can be provided by persons that are not subject to regulation as telephone companies under Title 80 RCW and for which a separate charge is made.)) "Telecommunication" means the transmission, between or among points specified by the user, of information of the user's choosing, without change in the form or content of the information as sent and received.

(2) "((~~Network telephone~~)) Telecommunication service" means the providing by any person of access to a local ((~~telephone~~)) telecommunication network, local ((~~telephone~~)) telecommunication network switching service, toll service, or coin ((~~telephone~~)) telecommunication services, or the providing of telephonic, video, data, or similar communication or transmission for hire, via a ((~~local telephone~~)) telecommunication network, toll line or channel, cable, microwave, satellite, or similar communication or transmission system. "((~~Network telephone~~)) Telecommunication service" includes interstate and international service, including toll service, originating from or received on telecommunications equipment or apparatus in this state if the charge for the service is billed to a person in this state. "((~~Network telephone~~)) Telecommunication service" includes the provision of transmission to and from the site of an internet provider via a local telephone network, toll line or channel, cable, microwave, or similar communication or transmission system. "((~~Network telephone~~)) Telecommunication service" does not include the providing of ((~~competitive telephone service, the providing of~~)) cable television service, the providing of broadcast services by radio or television stations, the providing of one-way radio paging or notification services, nor the provision of internet service as defined in RCW 82.04.297, including the reception of dial-in connection, provided at the site of the internet service provider.

(3) ((~~"Telephone service" means competitive telephone service or network telephone service, or both, as defined in subsections (1) and (2) of this section.~~

(4) "Telephone business" means the business of providing network telephone service, as defined in subsection (2) of this section. It includes cooperative or farmer line telephone companies or associations operating an exchange.)) "Cable service" is defined as provided in the federal telecommunications act of 1996.

Sec. 102. RCW 82.04.050 and 1998 c 332 s 2, 1998 c 315 s 1, 1998 c 308 s 1, and 1998 c 275 s 1 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

(1) "Sale at retail" or "retail sale" means every sale of tangible personal property (including articles produced, fabricated, or imprinted) to all persons irrespective of the nature of their business and including, among others, without limiting the scope hereof, persons who install, repair, clean, alter, improve, construct, or decorate real or personal property of or for consumers other than a sale to a person who presents a resale certificate under RCW 82.04.470 and who:

(a) Purchases for the purpose of resale as tangible personal property in the regular course of business without intervening use by such person; or

(b) Installs, repairs, cleans, alters, imprints, improves, constructs, or decorates real or personal property of or for consumers, if such tangible personal property becomes an ingredient or component of such real or personal property without intervening use by such person; or

(c) Purchases for the purpose of consuming the property purchased in producing for sale a new article of tangible personal property or substance, of which such property becomes an ingredient or component or is a chemical used in processing, when the primary purpose of such chemical is to create a chemical reaction directly through contact with an ingredient of a new article being produced for sale; or

(d) Purchases for the purpose of consuming the property purchased in producing ferrosilicon which is subsequently used in producing magnesium for sale, if the primary purpose of such property is to create a chemical reaction directly through contact with an ingredient of ferrosilicon((~~; or~~

~~(e) Purchases for the purpose of providing the property to consumers as part of competitive telephone service, as defined in RCW 82.04.065~~)).

The term shall include every sale of tangible personal property which is used or consumed or to be used or consumed in the performance of any activity classified as a "sale at retail" or "retail sale" even though such property is resold or utilized as provided in (a), (b), (c), or (d)((~~, or (e)~~)) of this subsection following such use. The term also means every sale of tangible personal property to persons engaged in any business which is taxable under RCW 82.04.280 (2) and (7) and 82.04.290.

(2) The term "sale at retail" or "retail sale" shall include the sale of or charge made for tangible personal property consumed and/or for labor and services rendered in respect to the following:

(a) The installing, repairing, cleaning, altering, imprinting, or improving of tangible personal property of or for consumers, including charges made for the mere use of facilities in respect thereto, but excluding charges made for the use of coin-operated laundry facilities when such facilities are situated in an apartment house, rooming house, or mobile home park for the exclusive use of the tenants thereof, and also excluding sales of laundry service to nonprofit health care facilities, and excluding services rendered in respect to live animals, birds and insects;

(b) The constructing, repairing, decorating, or improving of new or existing buildings or other structures under, upon, or above real property of or for consumers, including the installing or attaching of any article of tangible personal property therein or thereto, whether or not such personal property becomes a part of the realty by virtue of installation, and shall also include the sale of services or charges made for the clearing of land and the moving of earth excepting the mere leveling of land used in commercial farming or agriculture;

(c) The charge for labor and services rendered in respect to constructing, repairing, or improving any structure upon, above, or under any real property owned by an owner who conveys the property by title, possession, or any other means to the person performing such construction, repair, or improvement for the purpose of performing such construction, repair, or improvement and the property is then reconveyed by title, possession, or any other means to the original owner;

(d) The sale of or charge made for labor and services rendered in respect to the cleaning, fumigating, razing or moving of existing buildings or structures, but shall not include the charge made for janitorial services; and for purposes of this section the term "janitorial services" shall mean those cleaning and caretaking services ordinarily performed by commercial janitor service businesses including, but not limited to, wall and window washing, floor cleaning and waxing, and the cleaning in place of rugs, drapes and upholstery. The term "janitorial services" does not include painting, papering, repairing, furnace or septic tank cleaning, snow removal or sandblasting;

(e) The sale of or charge made for labor and services rendered in respect to automobile towing and similar automotive transportation services, but not in respect to those required to report and pay taxes under chapter 82.16 RCW;

(f) The sale of and charge made for the furnishing of lodging and all other services by a hotel, rooming house, tourist court, motel, trailer camp, and the granting of any similar license to use real property, as distinguished from the renting or leasing of real property, and it shall be presumed that the occupancy of real property for a continuous period of one month or more constitutes a rental or lease of real property and not a mere license to use or enjoy the same;

(g) The sale of or charge made for tangible personal property, labor and services to persons taxable under (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f) of this subsection when such sales or charges are for property, labor and services which are used or consumed in whole or in part by such persons in the performance of any activity defined as a "sale at retail" or "retail sale" even though such property, labor and services may be resold after such use or consumption. Nothing contained in this subsection shall be construed to modify subsection (1) of this section and nothing contained in subsection (1) of this section shall be construed to modify this subsection.

(3) The term "sale at retail" or "retail sale" shall include the sale of or charge made for personal, business, or professional services including amounts designated as interest, rents, fees, admission, and other service emoluments however designated, received by persons engaging in the following business activities:

(a) Amusement and recreation services including but not limited to golf, pool, billiards, skating, bowling, ski lifts and tows, day trips for sightseeing purposes, and others, when provided to consumers;

(b) Abstract, title insurance, and escrow services;

(d) Automobile parking and storage garage services;

(e) Landscape maintenance and horticultural services but excluding (i) horticultural services provided to farmers and (ii) pruning, trimming, repairing, removing, and clearing of trees and brush near electric transmission or distribution lines or equipment, if performed by or at the direction of an electric utility;

(f) Service charges associated with tickets to professional sporting events; and

(g) The following personal services: Physical fitness services, tanning salon services, tattoo parlor services, steam bath services, turkish bath services, escort services, and dating services.

(4) The term shall also include the renting or leasing of tangible personal property to consumers and the rental of equipment with an operator.

(5) The term shall also include the providing of ((~~telephone~~)) telecommunication service((~~, as defined in RCW 82.04.065,~~)) to consumers.

(6) The term shall also include the sale of canned software other than a sale to a person who presents a resale certificate under RCW 82.04.470, regardless of the method of delivery to the end user, but shall not include custom software or the customization of canned software.

(7) The term shall not include the sale of or charge made for labor and services rendered in respect to the building, repairing, or improving of any street, place, road, highway, easement, right of way, mass public transportation terminal or parking facility, bridge, tunnel, or trestle which is owned by a municipal corporation or political subdivision of the state or by the United States and which is used or to be used primarily for foot or vehicular traffic including mass transportation vehicles of any kind.

(8) The term shall also not include sales of chemical sprays or washes to persons for the purpose of postharvest treatment of fruit for the prevention of scald, fungus, mold, or decay, nor shall it include sales of feed, seed, seedlings, fertilizer, agents for enhanced pollination including insects such as bees, and spray materials to: (a) Persons who participate in the federal conservation reserve program, the environmental quality incentives program, the wetlands reserve program, and the wildlife habitat incentives program, or their successors administered by the United States department of agriculture; (b) farmers for the purpose of producing for sale any agricultural product; and (c) farmers acting under cooperative habitat development or access contracts with an organization exempt from federal income tax under 26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(c)(3) or the Washington state department of fish and wildlife to produce or improve wildlife habitat on land that the farmer owns or leases.

(9) The term shall not include the sale of or charge made for labor and services rendered in respect to the constructing, repairing, decorating, or improving of new or existing buildings or other structures under, upon, or above real property of or for the United States, any instrumentality thereof, or a county or city housing authority created pursuant to chapter 35.82 RCW, including the installing, or attaching of any article of tangible personal property therein or thereto, whether or not such personal property becomes a part of the realty by virtue of installation. Nor shall the term include the sale of services or charges made for the clearing of land and the moving of earth of or for the United States, any instrumentality thereof, or a county or city housing authority. Nor shall the term include the sale of services or charges made for cleaning up for the United States, or its instrumentalities, radioactive waste and other byproducts of weapons production and nuclear research and development.

(10) Until July 1, 2003, the term shall not include the sale of or charge made for labor and services rendered for environmental remedial action as defined in RCW 82.04.2635(2).

Sec. 103. RCW 82.04.060 and 1998 c 332 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

"Sale at wholesale" or "wholesale sale" means any of the following when not a sale at retail: (1) Any sale of tangible personal property; (2) any sale of amusement or recreation services as defined in RCW 82.04.050(3)(a); (3) any sale of canned software; or (4) any sale of ((~~telephone service as defined in RCW 82.04.065, which is not a sale at retail and~~)) telecommunication service. "Sale at wholesale" or "wholesale sale" also means any charge made for labor and services rendered for persons who are not consumers, in respect to real or personal property, if such charge is expressly defined as a retail sale by RCW 82.04.050 when rendered to or for consumers: PROVIDED, That the term "real or personal property" as used in this section shall not include any natural products named in RCW 82.04.100.

Sec. 104. RCW 82.04.190 and 1998 c 332 s 6 and 1998 c 308 s 2 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

"Consumer" means the following:

(1) Any person who purchases, acquires, owns, holds, or uses any article of tangible personal property irrespective of the nature of the person's business and including, among others, without limiting the scope hereof, persons who install, repair, clean, alter, improve, construct, or decorate real or personal property of or for consumers other than for the purpose (a) of resale as tangible personal property in the regular course of business or (b) of incorporating such property as an ingredient or component of real or personal property when installing, repairing, cleaning, altering, imprinting, improving, constructing, or decorating such real or personal property of or for consumers or (c) of consuming such property in producing for sale a new article of tangible personal property or a new substance, of which such property becomes an ingredient or component or as a chemical used in processing, when the primary purpose of such chemical is to create a chemical reaction directly through contact with an ingredient of a new article being produced for sale or (d) purchases for the purpose of consuming the property purchased in producing ferrosilicon which is subsequently used in producing magnesium for sale, if the primary purpose of such property is to create a chemical reaction directly through contact with an ingredient of ferrosilicon;

(2)(a) Any person engaged in any business activity taxable under RCW 82.04.290; (b) any person who purchases, acquires, or uses any ((~~telephone service as defined in RCW 82.04.065~~)) telecommunication service, other than for resale in the regular course of business; (c) any person who purchases, acquires, or uses any amusement and recreation service defined in RCW 82.04.050(3)(a), other than for resale in the regular course of business; and (d) any person who is an end user of software;

(3) Any person engaged in the business of contracting for the building, repairing or improving of any street, place, road, highway, easement, right of way, mass public transportation terminal or parking facility, bridge, tunnel, or trestle which is owned by a municipal corporation or political subdivision of the state of Washington or by the United States and which is used or to be used primarily for foot or vehicular traffic including mass transportation vehicles of any kind as defined in RCW 82.04.280, in respect to tangible personal property when such person incorporates such property as an ingredient or component of such publicly owned street, place, road, highway, easement, right of way, mass public transportation terminal or parking facility, bridge, tunnel, or trestle by installing, placing or spreading the property in or upon the right of way of such street, place, road, highway, easement, bridge, tunnel, or trestle or in or upon the site of such mass public transportation terminal or parking facility;

(4) Any person who is an owner, lessee or has the right of possession to or an easement in real property which is being constructed, repaired, decorated, improved, or otherwise altered by a person engaged in business, excluding only (a) municipal corporations or political subdivisions of the state in respect to labor and services rendered to their real property which is used or held for public road purposes, and (b) the United States, instrumentalities thereof, and county and city housing authorities created pursuant to chapter 35.82 RCW in respect to labor and services rendered to their real property. Nothing contained in this or any other subsection of this definition shall be construed to modify any other definition of "consumer";

(5) Any person who is an owner, lessee, or has the right of possession to personal property which is being constructed, repaired, improved, cleaned, imprinted, or otherwise altered by a person engaged in business;

(6) Any person engaged in the business of constructing, repairing, decorating, or improving new or existing buildings or other structures under, upon, or above real property of or for the United States, any instrumentality thereof, or a county or city housing authority created pursuant to chapter 35.82 RCW, including the installing or attaching of any article of tangible personal property therein or thereto, whether or not such personal property becomes a part of the realty by virtue of installation; also, any person engaged in the business of clearing land and moving earth of or for the United States, any instrumentality thereof, or a county or city housing authority created pursuant to chapter 35.82 RCW. Any such person shall be a consumer within the meaning of this subsection in respect to tangible personal property incorporated into, installed in, or attached to such building or other structure by such person;

(7) Any person who is a lessor of machinery and equipment, the rental of which is exempt from the tax imposed by RCW 82.08.020 under RCW 82.08.02565, with respect to the sale of or charge made for tangible personal property consumed in respect to repairing the machinery and equipment, if the tangible personal property has a useful life of less than one year. Nothing contained in this or any other subsection of this section shall be construed to modify any other definition of "consumer";

(8) Any person engaged in the business of cleaning up for the United States, or its instrumentalities, radioactive waste and other byproducts of weapons production and nuclear research and development; and

(9) Until July 1, 2003, any person engaged in the business of conducting environmental remedial action as defined in RCW 82.04.2635(2).

Sec. 105. RCW 82.04.460 and 1985 c 7 s 154 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Any person rendering services taxable under RCW 82.04.290 and maintaining places of business both within and without this state which contribute to the rendition of such services shall, for the purpose of computing tax liability under RCW 82.04.290, apportion to this state that portion of his gross income which is derived from services rendered within this state. Where such apportionment cannot be accurately made by separate accounting methods, the taxpayer shall apportion to this state that proportion of his total income which the cost of doing business within the state bears to the total cost of doing business both within and without the state.

(2) Notwithstanding the provision of subsection (1) of this section, persons doing business both within and without the state who receive gross income from service charges, as defined in RCW 63.14.010 (relating to amounts charged for granting the right or privilege to make deferred or installment payments) or who receive gross income from engaging in business as financial institutions within the scope of chapter 82.14A RCW (relating to city taxes on financial institutions) shall apportion or allocate gross income taxable under RCW 82.04.290 to this state pursuant to rules promulgated by the department consistent with uniform rules for apportionment or allocation developed by the states.

(3) The department shall by rule provide a method or methods of apportioning or allocating gross income derived from sales of ((~~telephone~~)) telecommunication services taxed under this chapter, if the gross proceeds of sales subject to tax under this chapter do not fairly represent the extent of the taxpayer's income attributable to this state. The rules shall be, so far as feasible, consistent with the methods of apportionment contained in this section and shall require the consideration of those facts, circumstances, and apportionment factors as will result in an equitable and constitutionally permissible division of the services.

PART II

STATE SALES AND USE TAXES

NEW SECTION. Sec. 201. A new section is added to chapter 82.08 RCW to read as follows:

For purposes of this chapter, "telecommunication service" is defined as provided in chapter 82.04 RCW.

Sec. 202. RCW 82.08.020 and 1998 c 321 s 36 (Referendum Bill No. 49) are each amended to read as follows:

(1) There is levied and there shall be collected a tax on each retail sale in this state. The tax is equal to five and five-tenths percent of the selling price for sales of telecommunication service. The tax is equal to six and five-tenths percent of the selling price for other sales.

(2) There is levied and there shall be collected an additional tax on each retail car rental, regardless of whether the vehicle is licensed in this state, equal to five and nine-tenths percent of the selling price. The revenue collected under this subsection shall be deposited and distributed in the same manner as motor vehicle excise tax revenue collected under RCW 82.44.020(1).

(3) The taxes imposed under this chapter shall apply to successive retail sales of the same property.

(4) The rates provided in this section apply to taxes imposed under chapter 82.12 RCW as provided in RCW 82.12.020.

Sec. 203. RCW 82.08.0289 and 1983 2nd ex.s. c 3 s 30 are each amended to read as follows:

((~~(1)~~)) The tax levied by RCW 82.08.020 shall not apply to sales of((:

~~(a) Network telephone service, other than toll service, to residential customers.~~

~~(b) Network telephone~~)) telecommunication service which is paid for by inserting coins in coin-operated ((~~telephones~~)) telecommunication equipment.

((~~(2) As used in this section:~~

~~(a) "Network telephone service" has the meaning given in RCW 82.04.065.~~

~~(b) "Residential customer" means an individual subscribing to a residential class of telephone service.~~

~~(c) "Toll service" does not include customer access line charges for access to a toll calling network.~~))

Sec. 204. RCW 82.12.010 and 1994 c 93 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

For the purposes of this chapter:

(1)(a) "Value of the article used" shall mean the consideration, whether money, credit, rights, or other property except trade-in property of like kind, expressed in terms of money, paid or given or contracted to be paid or given by the purchaser to the seller for the article of tangible personal property or service, the use of which is taxable under this chapter. The term includes, in addition to the consideration paid or given or contracted to be paid or given, the amount of any tariff or duty paid with respect to the importation of the article used. In case the article used is acquired by lease or by gift or is extracted, produced, or manufactured by the person using the same or is sold under conditions wherein the purchase price does not represent the true value thereof, the value of the article used shall be determined as nearly as possible according to the retail selling price at place of use of similar products of like quality and character under such rules as the department of revenue may prescribe.

(b) In case the articles used are acquired by bailment, the value of the use of the articles so used shall be in an amount representing a reasonable rental for the use of the articles so bailed, determined as nearly as possible according to the value of such use at the places of use of similar products of like quality and character under such rules as the department of revenue may prescribe. In case any such articles of tangible personal property are used in respect to the construction, repairing, decorating, or improving of, and which become or are to become an ingredient or component of, new or existing buildings or other structures under, upon, or above real property of or for the United States, any instrumentality thereof, or a county or city housing authority created pursuant to chapter 35.82 RCW, including the installing or attaching of any such articles therein or thereto, whether or not such personal property becomes a part of the realty by virtue of installation, then the value of the use of such articles so used shall be determined according to the retail selling price of such articles, or in the absence of such a selling price, as nearly as possible according to the retail selling price at place of use of similar products of like quality and character or, in the absence of either of these selling price measures, such value may be determined upon a cost basis, in any event under such rules as the department of revenue may prescribe.

(c) In the case of articles owned by a user engaged in business outside the state which are brought into the state for no more than one hundred eighty days in any period of three hundred sixty-five consecutive days and which are temporarily used for business purposes by the person in this state, the value of the article used shall be an amount representing a reasonable rental for the use of the articles, unless the person has paid tax under this chapter or chapter 82.08 RCW upon the full value of the article used, as defined in (a) of this subsection.

(d) In the case of articles manufactured or produced by the user and used in the manufacture or production of products sold or to be sold to the department of defense of the United States, the value of the articles used shall be determined according to the value of the ingredients of such articles.

(e) In the case of an article manufactured or produced for purposes of serving as a prototype for the development of a new or improved product, the value of the article used shall be determined by: (i) The retail selling price of such new or improved product when first offered for sale; or (ii) the value of materials incorporated into the prototype in cases in which the new or improved product is not offered for sale;

(2) "Use," "used," "using," or "put to use" shall have their ordinary meaning, and shall mean:

(a) With respect to tangible personal property, the first act within this state by which the taxpayer takes or assumes dominion or control over the article of tangible personal property (as a consumer), and include installation, storage, withdrawal from storage, or any other act preparatory to subsequent actual use or consumption within this state; and

(b) With respect to a service, the receipt by the taxpayer of any part of the benefit afforded by the service;

(3) "Taxpayer" and "purchaser" include all persons included within the meaning of the word "buyer" and the word "consumer" as defined in chapters 82.04 and 82.08 RCW;

(4) "Retailer" means every seller as defined in RCW 82.08.010 and every person engaged in the business of selling tangible personal property at retail and every person required to collect from purchasers the tax imposed under this chapter;

(5) The meaning ascribed to words and phrases in chapters 82.04 and 82.08 RCW, insofar as applicable, shall have full force and effect with respect to taxes imposed under the provisions of this chapter. "Consumer," in addition to the meaning ascribed to it in chapters 82.04 and 82.08 RCW insofar as applicable, shall also mean any person who distributes or displays, or causes to be distributed or displayed, any article of tangible personal property, except newspapers, the primary purpose of which is to promote the sale of products or services.

Sec. 205. RCW 82.12.020 and 1998 c 332 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) There is hereby levied and there shall be collected from every person in this state a tax or excise for the privilege of using within this state as a consumer: (a) Any article of tangible personal property purchased at retail, or acquired by lease, gift, repossession, or bailment, or extracted or produced or manufactured by the person so using the same, or otherwise furnished to a person engaged in any business taxable under RCW 82.04.280 (2) or (7); (b) any canned software, regardless of the method of delivery, but excluding canned software that is either provided free of charge or is provided for temporary use in viewing information, or both; or (c) any ((~~amusement or recreation~~)) service defined as a retail sale in RCW 82.04.050 (3)(a) or (5).

(2) This tax shall apply to the use of every service defined as a retail sale in RCW 82.04.050 (3)(a) or (5) and the use of every article of tangible personal property, including property acquired at a casual or isolated sale, and including byproducts used by the manufacturer thereof, except as hereinafter provided, irrespective of whether the article or similar articles are manufactured or are available for purchase within this state.

(3) Except as provided in RCW 82.12.0252, payment by one purchaser or user of tangible personal property or service of the tax imposed by chapter 82.08 or 82.12 RCW shall not have the effect of exempting any other purchaser or user of the same property or service from the taxes imposed by such chapters.

(4) The tax shall be levied and collected in an amount equal to the value of the article used by the taxpayer multiplied by the rate in effect for the retail sales tax under RCW 82.08.020.

Sec. 206. RCW 82.12.035 and 1996 c 148 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

A credit shall be allowed against the taxes imposed by this chapter upon the use of tangible personal property, or services taxable under RCW 82.04.050 (3)(a) or (5), in the state of Washington in the amount that the present user thereof or his or her bailor or donor has paid a retail sales or use tax with respect to such property to any other state of the United States, any political subdivision thereof, the District of Columbia, and any foreign country or political subdivision thereof, prior to the use of such property in Washington.

PART III

LOCAL SALES AND USE TAXES

NEW SECTION. Sec. 301. A new section is added to chapter 82.14 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The legislative authority of any city or county may impose a sales and use tax upon the sale or use of telecommunication services. In cities and counties with legislative authorities of four or fewer members, two-thirds of the members must approve an ordinance or resolution under this section. In cities and counties with legislative authorities of more than four members, a majority plus one vote must approve an ordinance or resolution under this section.

(2) A tax imposed under this section shall be collected from those persons who are taxable by the state pursuant to chapters 82.08 and 82.12 RCW, upon the occurrence of any taxable event within the city or county as the case may be. The rate of tax shall not exceed five and eight-tenths percent of the selling price (in the case of a sales tax) or value of the service used (in the case of a use tax).

(3) Any county ordinance adopted under this section shall contain, in addition to all other provisions required to conform to this chapter, a provision allowing a credit against the county tax imposed under this section for the full amount of any city sales or use tax imposed under this section upon the same taxable event.

Sec. 302. RCW 82.14.020 and 1997 c 201 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

For purposes of this chapter:

(1) A retail sale consisting solely of the sale of tangible personal property shall be deemed to have occurred at the retail outlet at or from which delivery is made to the consumer;

(2) A retail sale consisting essentially of the performance of personal business or professional services shall be deemed to have occurred at the place at which such services were primarily performed, except that for the performance of a tow truck service, as defined in RCW 46.55.010, the retail sale shall be deemed to have occurred at the place of business of the operator of the tow truck service;

(3) A retail sale consisting of the rental of tangible personal property shall be deemed to have occurred (a) in the case of a rental involving periodic rental payments, at the primary place of use by the lessee during the period covered by each payment, or (b) in all other cases, at the place of first use by the lessee;

(4) A retail sale within the scope of the second paragraph of RCW 82.04.050, and a retail sale of taxable personal property to be installed by the seller shall be deemed to have occurred at the place where the labor and services involved were primarily performed;

(5) A retail sale ((consisting of the providing to a consumer of telephone service, as defined in RCW 82.04.065, other than a sale of tangible personal property under subsection (1) of this section or a rental of tangible personal property under subsection (3) of this section,)) of telecommunication service shall be deemed to have occurred at the situs of the ((~~telephone or other~~)) instrument through which the ((~~telephone~~)) service is rendered;

(6) "City" means a city or town;

(7) The meaning ascribed to words and phrases in chapters 82.04, 82.08 and 82.12 RCW, as now or hereafter amended, insofar as applicable, shall have full force and effect with respect to taxes imposed under authority of this chapter;

(8) "Taxable event" shall mean any retail sale, or any use of an article of tangible personal property or service, upon which a state tax is imposed pursuant to chapter 82.08 or 82.12 RCW, as they now exist or may hereafter be amended: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That the term shall not include a retail sale taxable pursuant to RCW 82.08.150, as now or hereafter amended;

(9) "Treasurer or other legal depository" shall mean the treasurer or legal depository of a county or city.

Sec. 303. RCW 82.14.030 and 1989 c 384 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The governing body of any county or city while not required by legislative mandate to do so, may, by resolution or ordinance for the purposes authorized by this chapter, fix and impose a sales and use tax in accordance with the terms of this chapter. Such tax shall be collected from those persons who are taxable by the state pursuant to chapters 82.08 and 82.12 RCW, upon the occurrence of any taxable event within the county or city as the case may be: PROVIDED, That except as provided in RCW 82.14.230, this sales and use tax shall not apply to natural or manufactured gas or telecommunication services. The rate of such tax imposed by a county shall be five-tenths of one percent of the selling price (in the case of a sales tax) or value of the article used (in the case of a use tax). The rate of such tax imposed by a city shall not exceed five-tenths of one percent of the selling price (in the case of a sales tax) or value of the article used (in the case of a use tax): PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That in the event a county shall impose a sales and use tax under this subsection, the rate of such tax imposed under this subsection by any city therein shall not exceed four hundred and twenty-five one-thousandths of one percent.

(2) Subject to the enactment into law of the 1982 amendment to RCW 82.02.020 by section 5, chapter 49, Laws of 1982 1st ex. sess., in addition to the tax authorized in subsection (1) of this section, the governing body of any county or city may by resolution or ordinance impose an additional sales and use tax in accordance with the terms of this chapter. Such additional tax shall be collected upon the same taxable events upon which the tax imposed under subsection (1) of this section is levied. The rate of such additional tax imposed by a county shall be up to five-tenths of one percent of the selling price (in the case of a sales tax) or value of the article used (in the case of a use tax). The rate of such additional tax imposed by a city shall be up to five-tenths of one percent of the selling price (in the case of a sales tax) or value of the article used (in the case of a use tax): PROVIDED HOWEVER, That in the event a county shall impose a sales and use tax under this subsection at a rate equal to or greater than the rate imposed under this subsection by a city within the county, the county shall receive fifteen percent of the city tax: PROVIDED FURTHER, That in the event that the county shall impose a sales and use tax under this subsection at a rate which is less than the rate imposed under this subsection by a city within the county, the county shall receive that amount of revenues from the city tax equal to fifteen percent of the rate of tax imposed by the county under this subsection. The authority to impose a tax under this subsection is intended in part to compensate local government for any losses from the phase-out of the property tax on business inventories.

Sec. 304. RCW 82.14.045 and 1998 c 321 s 7 (Referendum Bill No. 49) are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The legislative body of any city pursuant to RCW 35.92.060, of any county which has created an unincorporated transportation benefit area pursuant to RCW 36.57.100 and 36.57.110, of any public transportation benefit area pursuant to RCW 36.57A.080 and 36.57A.090, of any county transportation authority established pursuant to chapter 36.57 RCW, and of any metropolitan municipal corporation within a county with a population of one million or more pursuant to chapter 35.58 RCW, may, by resolution or ordinance for the sole purpose of providing funds for the operation, maintenance, or capital needs of public transportation systems and in lieu of the excise taxes authorized by RCW 35.95.040, submit an authorizing proposition to the voters or include such authorization in a proposition to perform the function of public transportation and if approved by a majority of persons voting thereon, fix and impose a sales and use tax in accordance with the terms of this chapter: PROVIDED, That no such legislative body shall impose such a sales and use tax without submitting such an authorizing proposition to the voters and obtaining the approval of a majority of persons voting thereon: PROVIDED FURTHER, That where such a proposition is submitted by a county on behalf of an unincorporated transportation benefit area, it shall be voted upon by the voters residing within the boundaries of such unincorporated transportation benefit area and, if approved, the sales and use tax shall be imposed only within such area. Notwithstanding any provisions of this section to the contrary, any county in which a county public transportation plan has been adopted pursuant to RCW 36.57.070 and the voters of such county have authorized the imposition of a sales and use tax pursuant to the provisions of section 10, chapter 167, Laws of 1974 ex. sess., prior to July 1, 1975, shall be authorized to fix and impose a sales and use tax as provided in this section at not to exceed the rate so authorized without additional approval of the voters of such county as otherwise required by this section.

The tax authorized pursuant to this section shall be in addition to ((~~the tax authorized by RCW 82.14.030~~)) any other taxes authorized by law and shall be collected from those persons who are taxable by the state pursuant to chapters 82.08 and 82.12 RCW upon the occurrence of any taxable event within such city, public transportation benefit area, county, or metropolitan municipal corporation as the case may be. The rate of such tax shall be one-tenth, two-tenths, three-tenths, four-tenths, five-tenths, or six-tenths of one percent of the selling price (in the case of a sales tax) or value of the article used (in the case of a use tax). The rate of such tax shall not exceed the rate authorized by the voters unless such increase shall be similarly approved.

(2)(a) In the event a metropolitan municipal corporation shall impose a sales and use tax pursuant to this chapter no city, county which has created an unincorporated transportation benefit area, public transportation benefit area authority, or county transportation authority wholly within such metropolitan municipal corporation shall be empowered to levy and/or collect taxes pursuant to RCW 35.58.273, 35.95.040, and/or 82.14.045, but nothing herein shall prevent such city or county from imposing sales and use taxes pursuant to any other authorization.

(b) In the event a county transportation authority shall impose a sales and use tax pursuant to this section, no city, county which has created an unincorporated transportation benefit area, public transportation benefit area, or metropolitan municipal corporation, located within the territory of the authority, shall be empowered to levy or collect taxes pursuant to RCW 35.58.273, 35.95.040, or 82.14.045.

(c) In the event a public transportation benefit area shall impose a sales and use tax pursuant to this section, no city, county which has created an unincorporated transportation benefit area, or metropolitan municipal corporation, located wholly or partly within the territory of the public transportation benefit area, shall be empowered to levy or collect taxes pursuant to RCW 35.58.273, 35.95.040, or 82.14.045.

(3) Any local sales and use tax revenue collected pursuant to this section by any city or by any county for transportation purposes pursuant to RCW 36.57.100 and 36.57.110 shall not be counted as locally generated tax revenues for the purposes of apportionment and distribution, in the manner prescribed by chapter 82.44 RCW, of the proceeds of the motor vehicle excise tax authorized pursuant to RCW 35.58.273, except that the local sales and use tax revenue collected under this section by a city with a population greater than sixty thousand that as of January 1, 1998, owns and operates a municipal public transportation system shall be counted as locally generated tax revenues for the purposes of apportionment and distribution, in the manner prescribed by chapter 82.44 RCW, of the proceeds of the motor vehicle excise tax authorized under RCW 35.58.273 as follows:

(a) For fiscal year 2000, revenues collected under this section shall be counted as locally generated tax revenues for up to 25 percent of the tax collected under RCW 35.58.273;

(b) For fiscal year 2001, revenues collected under this section shall be counted as locally generated tax revenues for up to 50 percent of the tax collected under RCW 35.58.273;

(c) For fiscal year 2002, revenues collected under this section shall be counted as locally generated tax revenues for up to 75 percent of the tax collected under RCW 35.58.273; and

(d) For fiscal year 2003 and thereafter, revenues collected under this section shall be counted as locally generated tax revenues for up to 100 percent of the tax collected under RCW 35.58.273.

Sec. 305. RCW 82.14.0485 and 1995 3rd sp.s. c 1 s 101 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The legislative authority of a county with a population of one million or more may impose a sales and use tax in accordance with the terms of this chapter. The tax is in addition to other taxes authorized by law and shall be collected from those persons who are taxable by the state under chapters 82.08 and 82.12 RCW upon the occurrence of any taxable event within the county: PROVIDED, That this sales and use tax does not apply to telecommunication service. The rate of tax shall not exceed 0.017 percent of the selling price in the case of a sales tax or value of the article used in the case of a use tax.

(2) The tax imposed under subsection (1) of this section shall be deducted from the amount of tax otherwise required to be collected or paid over to the department of revenue under chapter 82.08 or 82.12 RCW. The department of revenue shall perform the collection of such taxes on behalf of the county at no cost to the county.

(3) Moneys collected under this section shall only be used for the purpose of paying the principal and interest payments on bonds issued by a county to construct a baseball stadium.

(4) No tax may be collected under this section before January 1, 1996, and no tax may be collected under this section unless the taxes under RCW 82.14.360 are being collected. The tax imposed in this section shall expire when the bonds issued for the construction of the baseball stadium are retired, but not more than twenty years after the tax is first collected.

(5) As used in this section, "baseball stadium" means a baseball stadium with natural turf and a retractable roof or canopy, together with associated parking facilities, constructed in the largest city in a county with a population of one million or more.

Sec. 306. RCW 82.14.0494 and 1997 c 220 s 204 (Referendum Bill No. 48) are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The legislative authority of a county that has created a public stadium authority to develop a stadium and exhibition center under RCW 36.102.050 may impose a sales and use tax in accordance with this chapter. The tax is in addition to other taxes authorized by law and shall be collected from those persons who are taxable by the state under chapters 82.08 and 82.12 RCW upon the occurrence of any taxable event within the county: PROVIDED, That this sales and use tax does not apply to telecommunication service. The rate of tax shall be 0.016 percent of the selling price in the case of a sales tax or value of the article used in the case of a use tax.

(3) Before the issuance of bonds in RCW 43.99N.020, all revenues collected on behalf of the county under this section shall be transferred to the public stadium authority. After bonds are issued under RCW 43.99N.020, all revenues collected on behalf of the county under this section shall be deposited in the stadium and exhibition center account under RCW 43.99N.060.

(4) The definitions in RCW 36.102.010 apply to this section.

(5) This section expires on the earliest of the following dates:

(a) December 31, 1999, if the conditions for issuance of bonds under RCW 43.99N.020 have not been met before that date;

(b) The date on which all bonds issued under RCW 43.99N.020 have been retired; or

Sec. 307. RCW 82.14.370 and 1998 c 55 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The legislative authority of a distressed county may impose a sales and use tax in accordance with the terms of this chapter. The tax is in addition to other taxes authorized by law and shall be collected from those persons who are taxable by the state under chapters 82.08 and 82.12 RCW upon the occurrence of any taxable event within the county: PROVIDED, That this sales and use tax shall not apply to telecommunication service. The rate of tax shall not exceed 0.04 percent of the selling price in the case of a sales tax or value of the article used in the case of a use tax.

(3) Moneys collected under this section shall only be used for the purpose of financing public facilities in rural counties.

(4) No tax may be collected under this section before July 1, 1998. No tax may be collected under this section by a county more than twenty-five years after the date that a tax is first imposed under this section.

(5) For purposes of this section, "distressed county" means a county in which the average level of unemployment for the three years before the year in which a tax is first imposed under this section exceeds the average state unemployment for those years by twenty percent.

Sec. 308. RCW 81.104.170 and 1997 c 450 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

Cities that operate transit systems, county transportation authorities, metropolitan municipal corporations, public transportation benefit areas, and regional transit authorities may submit an authorizing proposition to the voters and if approved by a majority of persons voting, fix and impose a sales and use tax in accordance with the terms of this chapter, solely for the purpose of providing high capacity transportation service.

The tax authorized pursuant to this section shall be in addition to ((~~the tax authorized by RCW 82.14.030~~)) any other taxes authorized by law and shall be collected from those persons who are taxable by the state pursuant to chapters 82.08 and 82.12 RCW upon the occurrence of any taxable event within the taxing district. The maximum rate of such tax shall be approved by the voters and shall not exceed one percent of the selling price (in the case of a sales tax) or value of the article used (in the case of a use tax). The maximum rate of such tax that may be imposed shall not exceed nine‑tenths of one percent in any county that imposes a tax under RCW 82.14.340, or within a regional transit authority if any county within the authority imposes a tax under RCW 82.14.340. The exemptions in RCW 82.08.820 and 82.12.820 are for the state portion of the sales and use tax and do not extend to the tax authorized in this section.

PART IV

STATE PUBLIC UTILITY TAX

Sec. 401. RCW 82.16.010 and 1996 c 150 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

For the purposes of this chapter, unless otherwise required by the context:

(1) "Railroad business" means the business of operating any railroad, by whatever power operated, for public use in the conveyance of persons or property for hire. It shall not, however, include any business herein defined as an urban transportation business.

(2) "Express business" means the business of carrying property for public hire on the line of any common carrier operated in this state, when such common carrier is not owned or leased by the person engaging in such business.

(3) "Railroad car business" means the business of operating stock cars, furniture cars, refrigerator cars, fruit cars, poultry cars, tank cars, sleeping cars, parlor cars, buffet cars, tourist cars, or any other kinds of cars used for transportation of property or persons upon the line of any railroad operated in this state when such railroad is not owned or leased by the person engaging in such business.

(4) "Water distribution business" means the business of operating a plant or system for the distribution of water for hire or sale.

(5) "Light and power business" means the business of operating a plant or system for the generation, production or distribution of electrical energy for hire or sale and/or for the wheeling of electricity for others.

(6) ((~~"Telegraph business" means the business of affording telegraphic communication for hire.~~

~~(7)~~)) "Gas distribution business" means the business of operating a plant or system for the production or distribution for hire or sale of gas, whether manufactured or natural.

((~~(8)~~)) (7) "Motor transportation business" means the business (except urban transportation business) of operating any motor propelled vehicle by which persons or property of others are conveyed for hire, and includes, but is not limited to, the operation of any motor propelled vehicle as an auto transportation company (except urban transportation business), common carrier or contract carrier as defined by RCW 81.68.010 and 81.80.010: PROVIDED, That "motor transportation business" shall not mean or include the transportation of logs or other forest products exclusively upon private roads or private highways.

((~~(9)~~)) (8) "Urban transportation business" means the business of operating any vehicle for public use in the conveyance of persons or property for hire, insofar as (a) operating entirely within the corporate limits of any city or town, or within five miles of the corporate limits thereof, or (b) operating entirely within and between cities and towns whose corporate limits are not more than five miles apart or within five miles of the corporate limits of either thereof. Included herein, but without limiting the scope hereof, is the business of operating passenger vehicles of every type and also the business of operating cartage, pickup, or delivery services, including in such services the collection and distribution of property arriving from or destined to a point within or without the state, whether or not such collection or distribution be made by the person performing a local or interstate line-haul of such property.

((~~(10)~~)) (9) "Public service business" means any of the businesses defined in ((~~subdivisions (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), and (9)~~)) this section or any business subject to control by the state, or having the powers of eminent domain and the duties incident thereto, or any business hereafter declared by the legislature to be of a public service nature, except ((~~telephone business as defined in RCW 82.04.065~~)) telecommunication service and low-level radioactive waste site operating companies as redefined in RCW 81.04.010. It includes, among others, without limiting the scope hereof: Airplane transportation, boom, dock, ferry, pipe line, toll bridge, toll logging road, water transportation and wharf businesses.

((~~(11)~~)) (10) "Tugboat business" means the business of operating tugboats, towboats, wharf boats or similar vessels in the towing or pushing of vessels, barges or rafts for hire.

((~~(12)~~)) (11) "Gross income" means the value proceeding or accruing from the performance of the particular public service or transportation business involved, including operations incidental thereto, but without any deduction on account of the cost of the commodity furnished or sold, the cost of materials used, labor costs, interest, discount, delivery costs, taxes, or any other expense whatsoever paid or accrued and without any deduction on account of losses.

((~~(13)~~)) (12) The meaning attributed, in chapter 82.04 RCW, to the term "tax year," "person," "value proceeding or accruing," "business," "engaging in business," "in this state," "within this state," "cash discount," "telecommunication service," and "successor" shall apply equally in the provisions of this chapter.

Sec. 402. RCW 82.16.020 and 1996 c 150 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) There is levied and there shall be collected from every person a tax for the act or privilege of engaging within this state in any one or more of the businesses herein mentioned. The tax shall be equal to the gross income of the business, multiplied by the rate set out after the business, as follows:

(a) Express((,)) and sewerage collection((~~, and telegraph~~)) businesses: Three and six-tenths percent;

(b) Light and power business: Three and sixty-two one-hundredths percent;

(d) Urban transportation business: Six-tenths of one percent;

(e) Vessels under sixty-five feet in length, except tugboats, operating upon the waters within the state: Six-tenths of one percent;

(f) Motor transportation, railroad, railroad car, and tugboat businesses, and all public service businesses other than ones mentioned above: One and eight-tenths of one percent;

(g) Water distribution business: Four and seven-tenths percent.

(2) An additional tax is imposed equal to the rate specified in RCW 82.02.030 multiplied by the tax payable under subsection (1) of this section.

(3) Twenty percent of the moneys collected under subsection (1) of this section on water distribution businesses and sixty percent of the moneys collected under subsection (1) of this section on sewerage collection businesses shall be deposited in the public works assistance account created in RCW 43.155.050.

PART V

CITY LICENSE FEES AND BUSINESS TAXES

Sec. 501. RCW 35.21.710 and 1983 2nd ex.s. c 3 s 33 are each amended to read as follows:

(1)(a) Any city which imposes a license fee or tax upon business activities consisting of the making of retail sales of tangible personal property or telecommunication service which are measured by gross receipts or gross income from such sales, shall impose such tax at a single uniform rate upon all such business activities. The taxing authority granted to cities for taxes upon business activities measured by gross receipts or gross income from sales shall not exceed a rate of .0020; except ((~~that~~)) as provided in this section or RCW 35.21.711. Any city with an adopted ordinance at a higher rate, as of January 1, 1982 shall be limited to a maximum increase of ten percent of the January 1982 rate, not to exceed an annual incremental increase of two percent of current rate: PROVIDED, That any adopted ordinance which classifies according to different types of business or services shall be subject to both the ten percent and the two percent annual incremental increase limitation on each tax rate: PROVIDED FURTHER, That all surtaxes on business and occupation classifications in effect as of January 1, 1982, shall expire no later than December 31, 1982, or by expiration date established by local ordinance.

(b)(i) Any city that imposed, as of July 1, 1997, a license fee or tax upon business activities consisting of making retail sales of telecommunication service with a rate exceeding the rate allowed under (a) of this subsection, may continue to impose a license fee or tax upon those businesses at a rate not exceeding the rate imposed on July 1, 1997.

(ii) A city imposing a license fee or tax under this subsection (1)(b) shall allow a credit against such license fee or tax for the full amount of any sales or use tax imposed by the city or any other city or county under section 301 of this act upon the same taxable event. A credit under this subsection shall never reduce the license fee or tax to less than zero.

(iii) A license fee or tax imposed under this subsection (1)(b) shall expire six years after it is first imposed, unless extended for up to six years by referendum submitted to the voters of the city imposing the tax. A license fee or tax extended by referendum may be extended for additional periods, not exceeding six years each, by additional referenda.

(2) Cities which impose a license fee or tax upon business activities consisting of the making of retail sales of tangible personal property or telecommunication service which are measured by gross receipts or gross income from such sales, shall be required to submit an annual report to the state auditor identifying the rate established and the revenues received from each fee or tax. This section shall not apply to any business activities subject to the tax imposed by chapter 82.16 RCW. ((~~For purposes of this section, the providing to consumers of competitive telephone service, as defined in RCW 82.04.065, shall be deemed to be the retail sale of tangible personal property.~~))

(3) Any city which imposes license fees, franchise fees, taxes, or any combination thereof, on business activities consisting of providing cable service that are measured by gross receipts or gross income from sales, shall limit such fees or taxes so that the combined rate does not exceed eight percent on or after January 1, 2005.

(4) For the purposes of this section, "telecommunication service" and "cable service" are defined as provided in chapter 82.04 RCW.

Sec. 502. RCW 35.21.711 and 1982 1st ex.s. c 49 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

The qualified voters of any city or town may by majority vote approve rates in excess of the provisions of RCW 35.21.710(1)(a).

Sec. 503. RCW 35.21.714 and 1989 c 103 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

Any city or town which imposes a license fee or tax upon the business activity of ((~~engaging in the telephone business, as defined in RCW 82.04.065~~)) making sales of telecommunication service as defined in chapter 82.04 RCW, which is measured by gross receipts or gross income may impose the fee or tax, if it desires, on one hundred percent of the total gross revenue derived from intrastate toll telephone services subject to the fee or tax((: PROVIDED, That the city shall not impose the fee or tax on that portion of network telephone service, as defined in RCW 82.04.065, which represents charges to another telecommunications company, as defined in RCW 80.04.010, for connecting fees, switching charges, or carrier access charges relating to intrastate toll telephone services, or for access to, or charges for, interstate services, or charges for network telephone service that is purchased for the purpose of resale)).

Sec. 504. RCW 35.21.715 and 1989 c 103 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

((~~Notwithstanding RCW 35.21.714 or 35A.82.060,~~)) Any city or town which imposes a tax upon business activities measured by gross receipts or gross income from sales, may impose such tax on that portion of ((~~network telephone service, as defined in RCW 82.04.065~~)) telecommunication service, as defined in chapter 82.04 RCW, which represents charges to another telecommunications company, as defined in RCW 80.04.010, for connecting fees, switching charges, or carrier access charges relating to intrastate toll services, or charges for ((~~network telephone~~)) telecommunication service that is purchased for the purpose of resale. Such tax shall be levied at the same rate as is applicable to ((~~other competitive telephone service as defined in RCW 82.04.065~~)) businesses under RCW 35.21.710(1)(a).

Sec. 505. RCW 35.21.860 and 1983 2nd ex.s. c 3 s 39 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) No city or town may impose a franchise fee or any other fee or charge of whatever nature or description upon the light and power, or gas distribution businesses, as defined in RCW 82.16.010, or ((~~telephone~~)) telecommunication service business, as defined in RCW 82.04.065, except that (a) a tax ((~~authorized~~)) as limited by RCW 35.21.865 and 35.21.870 may be imposed ((~~and~~)) on light and power and gas distribution businesses, (b) a tax as limited by RCW 35.21.710 may be imposed on telecommunication service business, and (c) a fee may be charged to such businesses that recovers actual administrative expenses incurred by a city or town that are directly related to receiving and approving a permit, license, and franchise, to inspecting plans and construction, or to the preparation of a detailed statement pursuant to chapter 43.21C RCW.

(2) Subsection (1) of this section does not prohibit franchise fees imposed on an electrical energy((,)) or natural gas((~~, or telephone~~)) business, by contract existing on April 20, 1982, with a city or town, for the duration of the contract, but the franchise fees shall be considered taxes for the purposes of the limitations established in RCW 35.21.865 and 35.21.870 to the extent the fees exceed the costs allowable under subsection (1) of this section.

(3) Subsection (1) of this section does not prohibit franchise fees imposed on businesses providing telecommunication services by contract existing on April 20, 1982, with a city or town, for the duration of the contract, but to the extent the fees exceed the costs allowable under subsection (1) of this section, the combined rate of a franchise fee, a tax under section 301 of this act, and a tax under RCW 35.21.710 imposed by the city shall not exceed the greater of: (a) The total rate of franchise fee and license fee or tax imposed by the city upon businesses providing telecommunication services on July 1, 1997; or (b) five and five-tenths percent plus the rate in effect under RCW 35.21.710(1)(a) or 35.21.711.

Sec. 506. RCW 35.21.865 and 1983 c 99 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

No city or town may change the rate of tax it imposes on the privilege of conducting an electrical energy((,)) or natural gas((~~, or telephone~~)) business which change applies to business activities occurring before the effective date of the change, and no rate change may take effect before the expiration of sixty days following the enactment of the ordinance establishing the change except as provided in RCW 35.21.870.

Sec. 507. RCW 35.21.870 and 1984 c 225 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) No city or town may impose a tax on the privilege of conducting an electrical energy, natural gas, or steam energy((~~, or telephone~~)) business at a rate which exceeds six percent unless the rate is first approved by a majority of the voters of the city or town voting on such a proposition.

(2) If a city or town is imposing a rate of tax under subsection (1) of this section in excess of six percent on April 20, 1982, the city or town shall decrease the rate to a rate of six percent or less by reducing the rate each year on or before November 1st by ordinances to be effective on January 1st of the succeeding year, by an amount equal to one-tenth the difference between the tax rate on April 20, 1982, and six percent.

Nothing in this subsection prohibits a city or town from reducing its rates by amounts greater than the amounts required in this subsection.

Voter approved rate increases under subsection (1) of this section shall not be included in the computations under this subsection.

Sec. 508. RCW 35A.82.050 and 1983 2nd ex.s. c 3 s 34 are each amended to read as follows:

Any code city which imposes a license fee or tax upon business activities consisting of the making of retail sales of tangible personal property or telecommunication service, which are measured by gross receipts or gross income from such sales, ((shall impose such tax at a single uniform rate upon all such business activities. This section shall not apply to any business activities subject to the tax imposed by chapter 82.16 RCW. For purposes of this section, the providing to consumers of competitive telephone service, as defined in RCW 82.04.065, shall be deemed to be the retail sale of tangible personal property)) is subject to RCW 35.21.710 through 35.21.715.

PART VI

MISCELLANEOUS

NEW SECTION. Sec. 601. The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:

(1) RCW 35.21.712 (License fees or taxes on telephone business to be at uniform rate) and 1983 2nd ex.s. c 3 s 35 & 1981 c 144 s 8;

(2) RCW 35.21.871 (Tax on telephone business--Deferral of rate reduction) and 1986 c 70 s 3;

(3) RCW 35A.82.055 (License fees or taxes on telephone business to be at uniform rate) and 1983 2nd ex.s. c 3 s 36 & 1981 c 144 s 9;

(4) RCW 35A.82.060 (License fees or taxes on telephone business--Imposition on certain gross revenues authorized--Limitations) and 1989 c 103 s 3, 1986 c 70 s 4, 1983 2nd ex.s. c 3 s 38, & 1981 c 144 s 11;

(5) RCW 35A.82.065 (Taxes on network telephone services) and 1989 c 103 s 4 & 1986 c 70 s 5; and

(6) RCW 35A.82.070 (Taxes on telephone business--Deferral of rate reduction) and 1986 c 70 s 6.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 602. 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. 603. Part headings used in this act are not any part of the law.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 604. This act takes effect January 1, 2000.