H-0874.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 1209

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2001 Regular Session

By Representative Morris

Read first time 01/19/2001.  Referred to Committee on Technology, Telecommunications & Energy.

Exempting space and satellite systems from taxation.

    AN ACT Relating to space and satellite systems; adding a new section to chapter 82.04 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 84.36 RCW; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 82.04 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) In computing tax, there may be deducted from the measure of tax amounts derived as compensation for goods or services involved in space exploration or satellite deployment, launch, control, or telecommunication.

    (2) As used in this section:

    (a) "Space exploration" means exploring the region beyond the earth's atmosphere.

    (b) "Satellite" means a man-made object or vehicle intended to orbit the earth, the moon, or another celestial body.

    (c) "Satellite communication" means the use of geostationary orbiting satellites to relay transmissions from one sending earth station to another earth station or to multiple other earth stations.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 84.36 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) Real and personal property owned or used by a person in the production or provision of goods and services used in space exploration or satellite deployment, launch, control, or telecommunication is exempt from taxation.

    (2) As used in this section:

    (a) "Space exploration" means exploring the region beyond the earth's atmosphere.

    (b) "Satellite" means a man-made object or vehicle intended to orbit the earth, the moon, or another celestial body.

    (c) "Satellite communication" means the use of geostationary orbiting satellites to relay transmissions from one sending earth station to another earth station or to multiple other earth stations.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2001.

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