HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 6791
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported by House Committee On:
Health Care & Wellness
Title: An act relating to clarifying permitted uses of moneys currently collected under the county legislative authority sales and use tax for chemical dependency or mental health treatment programs and services or therapeutic courts.
Brief Description: Clarifying permitted uses of moneys currently collected under the county legislative authority sales and use tax for chemical dependency or mental health treatment programs and services or therapeutic courts.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Hargrove, Stevens and Marr).
Brief History:
Health Care & Wellness: 2/25/08, 2/27/08 [DP].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Hinkle, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Barlow, Campbell, Green, Moeller, Pedersen, Schual-Berke and Seaquist.
Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Condotta and DeBolt.
Staff: Dave Knutson (786-7146).
Background:
In 2005 the Legislature passed legislation authorizing county legislative authorities to impose
a sales and use tax of one-tenth of 1 percent for the purpose of providing new or expanded
chemical dependency or mental health treatment services and for the operation of new or
expanded therapeutic court programs.
Summary of Bill:
This bill clarifies that monies collected under the sales and use tax authorized by the
Legislature may be used for the operation or delivery of programs and services. Monies
collected by the sales and use tax may be used to replace lapsed federal funding previously
provided for the operation or delivery of chemical dependency or mental health treatment
services and programs.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This is a valuable local option to support programs helping people with a mental
illness or a chemical dependency. Counties need flexibility to ensure the money they choose
to raise can be spent in the best way possible.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Mia Wells, National Alliance on Mental Illness and the Washington State Coalition for the Homeless; Nick Federici, Washington Low-Income Housing Alliance and the United Way of King County; and Carey Morris, Washington State Association of Counties.