BILL REQ. #:  S-0882.1 

Read first time 02/09/2005.   Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

     AN ACT Relating to authorizing an additional cigarette tax; adding a new section to chapter 82.24 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 82.24 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) In addition to the tax imposed upon the sale, use, consumption, handling, possession, or distribution of cigarettes set forth in RCW 82.24.020, there is imposed a tax in an amount equal to the rate of thirty mills per cigarette.
     (2) The revenue collected under this section shall be deposited as follows:
     (a) 88.4 percent shall be deposited into the health services account under RCW 43.72.900 and shall be used solely for Washington basic health plan enrollment as provided in chapter 70.47 RCW.
     (b) 6.5 percent shall be deposited into the general fund.
     (c) 2.9 percent shall be deposited into the violence reduction and drug enforcement account under RCW 69.50.520.
     (d) 2.2 percent shall be deposited into the water quality account under RCW 70.146.030.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   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, 2005.