H-5248.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 3161
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 56th Legislature 2000 1st Special Session
By Representatives Thomas, Barlean, Cairnes, Campbell, Esser, DeBolt, Benson, Huff, Lisk, Lambert, Mulliken, Pflug, D. Sommers, Crouse, Mielke, Schindler, Fortunato, Delvin, Talcott, Ericksen, Clements, Pennington, Carrell, Woods, Boldt, McMorris, D. Schmidt, G. Chandler, Koster, B. Chandler, Morris, Sullivan and Sump
Read first time 03/21/2000. Referred to Committee on Finance.
AN ACT Relating to limiting tax increases by requiring voter approval; adding a new section to chapter 43.135 RCW; and creating new sections.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 43.135 RCW to read as follows:
(1) Any tax increase imposed by the state shall require voter approval.
(2) For the purposes of this section, "tax" includes, but is not necessarily limited to, sales and use taxes, property taxes, business and occupation taxes, excise taxes, fuel taxes, impact fees, license fees, permit fees, and any monetary charge by government.
(3) For the purposes of this section, "tax" does not include:
(a) Higher education tuition; and
(b) Civil and criminal fines and other charges collected in cases of restitution or violation of law or contract.
(4) For the purposes of this section, "tax increase" includes, but is not necessarily limited to, a new tax, a monetary increase in an existing tax, a tax rate increase, an expansion in the legal definition of a tax base, and an extension of an expiring tax.
(5) For the purposes of this section, "state" includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the state itself and all its departments and agencies, any city, county, special district, and other political subdivision or governmental instrumentality of or within the state.
(6) This section does not apply to any specific emergency measure authorized by vote of two-thirds of the members of each house of the legislature and expiring not later than twelve months from the effective date of the emergency act.
(7) This section is intended to add to, and not replace, the requirements for tax increases set forth in Initiative 601, the Taxpayer Protection Act, RCW 43.135.035.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The provisions of this act are to be liberally construed to effectuate the policies and purposes of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. 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. 4. This act applies retroactively to January 1, 2000.
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