BILL REQ. #:  H-0059.4 

Read first time 01/14/09.   Referred to Committee on Local Government & Housing.

     AN ACT Relating to prohibiting local governments from imposing fees, taxes, or other charges on the transfer of disposable shopping bags; adding a new section to chapter 35.21 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 35A.82 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 36.01 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 82.14 RCW; creating new sections; 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 35.21 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) A city or town may not impose a monetary charge on the transfer of disposable paper shopping bags.
     (2) For purposes of this section, "monetary charge" means any governmental charge, regardless of its characterization as a fee, tax, surcharge, or other type of monetary imposition.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 35A.82 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) A code city may not impose a monetary charge on the transfer of disposable paper shopping bags.
     (2) For purposes of this section, "monetary charge" means any governmental charge, regardless of its characterization as a fee, tax, surcharge, or other type of monetary imposition.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 36.01 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) A county may not impose a monetary charge on the transfer of disposable paper shopping bags.
     (2) For purposes of this section, "monetary charge" means any governmental charge, regardless of its characterization as a fee, tax, surcharge, or other type of monetary imposition.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 82.14 RCW to read as follows:
     Nothing in this chapter authorizes a county or city to impose a tax on the transfer of disposable paper shopping bags.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   The legislature intends this act to be curative, remedial, and retrospectively applicable to January 1, 2008.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   The provisions of this act must be liberally construed to effectuate its intent.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   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 immediately.