| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Technology, Energy & Communications Committee | |
HB 2337
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.
Brief Description: Regarding services provided by television reception improvement districts.
Sponsors: Representative Armstrong.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/1/08
Staff: Kara Durbin (786-7133).
Background:
Legislation allowing for the creation of television reception improvement districts was enacted in
1971. State law authorizes television reception improvement districts to be formed for the
construction, maintenance and operation of television and FM radio translator stations.
The business of the district is conducted by the board of the television reception improvement
district. The board must ascertain and prepare a list on an annual basis of all persons believed to
own television sets within the district and deliver a copy of the list to the county treasurer.
The county treasurer may collect an excise tax of no more than $60 per year per television set. A
person who owns more than one television set, but less than five television sets, may only be
assessed for one television set. A motel, hotel, or any person owning more than five televisions
sets must pay at a rate of one-fifth of the annual tax rate for each of the first five television sets
and one-tenth of such rate for each additional television set.
An owner of a television set within the district is exempt if: (1) the television set does not
receive at least a class grade B contour signal retransmitted by the television translator station or
other similar device operated by the district; or (2) the television set receives a subscription to
services of a community antenna system (CATV).
Summary of Bill:
The purpose section of the television reception improvement district statute is extended to
include activities to construct, maintain, and operate emergency radio communications systems.
A television reception improvement district may translate or retransmit signals which originate
from emergency radio communications systems.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.