HB 1869-S.E - DIGEST

(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 1/30/04)

Recognizes that tax preferences are enacted to meet objectives which are determined to be in the public interest. However, some tax preferences may not be efficient or equitable tools for the achievement of current public policy objectives. Given the changing nature of the economy and tax structures of other states, the legislature finds that periodic performance audits of tax preferences are needed to determine if their continued existence will serve the public interest.

Creates the citizen commission for performance measurement of tax preferences.

Directs the citizen commission for performance measurement of tax preferences to develop a schedule to accomplish an orderly review of tax preferences at least once every ten years. The commission shall schedule tax preferences for review in the order the tax preferences were enacted into law, except that the commission may elect to include, anywhere in the schedule, a tax preference that has a statutory expiration date. The commission shall omit from the schedule tax preferences that are required by constitutional law, and may omit any tax preference that the commission determines is a critical part of the structure of the tax system.

Directs the joint legislative audit and review committee to review tax preferences according to the schedule developed under this act.

Repeals RCW 43.136.010, 43.136.020, 43.136.030, 43.136.040, 43.136.050, and 43.136.070.