HOUSE BILL REPORT

SJR 8208

As Reported by House Committee On:

Finance

Brief Description: Amending the Constitution to allow multiyear excess property tax levies for cemetery districts.

Sponsors: Senator Morton.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Finance: 2/20/04, 2/27/04 [DPA].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 8 members: Representatives McIntire, Chair; Hunter, Vice Chair; Cairnes, Ranking Minority Member; Orcutt, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Ahern, Conway, Roach and Santos.

Staff: Rick Peterson (786-7150).

Background:

The Washington State Constitution caps the total property tax rate at 1 percent ($10 per $1,000 of value.) With at least a 60 percent majority vote of the people a district can impose taxes above the 1 percent cap. Levies above the 1 percent cap are called "excess" levies. Generally, districts may only impose excess levies for one year at a time. However, school districts and fire districts may ask voters to approve excess levies for up to four years for operations and up to six years for construction, modernization, or remodeling of facilities.

Summary of Amended Bill:

The Constitution is amended to allow metropolitan park districts, library districts, and cemetery districts to ask their voters to approve excess levies for up to four years for operating purposes and up to six years for the construction, modernization, or remodeling of facilities.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The amended resolution adds metropolitan park districts and library districts to the list of districts that may ask voters to approve multi-year excess levies.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not Requested.

Effective Date: The resolution takes effect upon approval of the voters at the November 2004 general election.

Testimony For: None.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: None.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.