BILL REQ. #:  H-1789.1 



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HOUSE BILL 2248
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State of Washington61st Legislature2009 Regular Session

By Representatives Ericks and Armstrong

Read first time 02/18/09.   Referred to Committee on Finance.



     AN ACT Relating to sales and use tax exemption of the nonhighway use of propane by farmers; adding new sections to chapter 82.08 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 82.12 RCW; providing an effective date; providing a contingent effective date; providing contingent expiration dates; 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 82.08 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The tax levied by RCW 82.08.020 does not apply to fifty percent of the selling price of propane fuel sold to a farm fuel user for nonhighway use. Fuel used for space or water heating for human habitation is not exempt under this section.
     (2) The exemption under this section is in the form of a refund. Sellers shall collect tax on sales subject to this exemption. The buyer must apply for a refund directly from the department in a form and manner prescribed by the department. A buyer must apply for a refund within three months of the purchase of the propane fuel.
     (3) "Farm fuel user" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 82.08.865.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 82.12 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The provisions of this chapter do not apply with respect to fifty percent of the value of propane fuel for nonhighway use by a farm fuel user. Fuel used for space or water heating for human habitation is not exempt under this section.     
     (2) Sellers obligated to collect use tax must collect tax on sales subject to the exemption under this section. The buyer must apply for a refund directly from the department in a form and manner prescribed by the department. A buyer must apply for a refund within three months of the use of the propane fuel.
     (3) "Farm fuel user" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 82.08.865.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 82.08 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The tax levied by RCW 82.08.020 does not apply to sales of propane fuel to a farm fuel user for nonhighway use. Fuel used for space or water heating for human habitation is not exempt under this section.
     (2) "Farm fuel user" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 82.08.865.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 82.12 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The provisions of this chapter do not apply with respect to the nonhighway use of propane fuel by a farm fuel user. Fuel used for space or water heating for human habitation is not exempt under this section.
     (2) "Farm fuel user" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 82.08.865.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   Sections 1 and 2 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and take effect July 1, 2009.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   Sections 3 and 4 of this act take effect on January 1, 2012, if sections 1 and 2 of this act expire under section 7(2) of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   (1) This act expires January 1, 2012, if the total amount of refunds granted under sections 1 and 2 of this act as of July 1, 2011, for the prior three fiscal years, is greater than the total estimated amount of refunds reflected in the final fiscal note from the office of financial management for this act for the prior three fiscal years.
     (2) Sections 1 and 2 of this act expire January 1, 2012, if the total amount of refunds granted under sections 1 and 2 of this act as of July 1, 2011, for the prior three fiscal years, is less than the total estimated amount of refunds reflected in the final fiscal note for this act from the office of financial management for the prior three fiscal years.
     (3) The department of revenue must make a determination under this section by November 1, 2011, and submit its determination to the appropriate fiscal committees of the legislature and the office of the code reviser by December 1, 2011.

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