SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6452
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 Senate Committee On:
Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections, February 2, 2012
Ways & Means, February 7, 2012
Title: An act relating to veterans' assistance levies.
Brief Description: Concerning veterans' assistance levies.
Sponsors: Senators Haugen, Hobbs, Rolfes and Shin.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections: 1/31/12, 2/02/12 [DP-WM].
Ways & Means: 2/06/12, 2/07/12 [DPS].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, TRIBAL RELATIONS & ELECTIONS |
Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
Signed by Senators Pridemore, Chair; Prentice, Vice Chair; Swecker, Ranking Minority Member; Benton, Chase and Nelson.
Staff: Sharon Swanson (786-7447)
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS |
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6452 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Murray, Chair; Kilmer, Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Parlette, Ranking Minority Member Capital; Baumgartner, Brown, Conway, Fraser, Harper, Hatfield, Hewitt, Holmquist Newbry, Honeyford, Kastama, Keiser, Kohl-Welles, Padden, Pridemore, Regala, Schoesler and Tom.
Staff: Dean Carlson (786-7305)
Background: Currently the legislative authority in each county must levy a property tax in a sum equal to the amount which would be raised by not less than $0.08 cents per $1,000.00 of assessed value, and not greater than $0.27 per $1,000.00 of assessed value against the taxable property of their respective counties. The property tax must be levied and collected for the purpose of creating a veterans' assistance fund. Expenditures from the veterans' assistance fund, and interest earned on balanced from the fund, may be used only for:
the veterans' assistance programs;
the burial or cremation of a deceased indigent veteran or deceased family member of an indigent veteran;
the direct and indirect costs incurred in the administration of the fund.
The sum of property tax rates is limited by the state Constitution to a maximum of 1 percent of true and fair value, or $10.00 per $1,000.00 of value. The Constitution provides a procedure for voter approval for tax rates that exceed the 1 percent limit. These taxes are called excess levies. Excess levies require not only voter approval, but most also require a 60 percent super majority to be approved. Taxes imposed under the 1 percent limit are called regular taxes. The Constitution does not require voter approval of regular taxes.
The veterans' assistance levy is subject to the statutory provisions that are included with the aggregate note limit of $5.90 per $1,000.00 of assessed value.
Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute): The Veterans' assistance levy is removed from the county levy and makes it a stand alone levy. The levy is removed from the $5.90 limit per $1,000.00 of assessed value, but it is still subject to the $10.00 constitutional limit. The levy is subject to prorationing at the same time that the county general levy is subject to prorationing.
The act applies to taxes levied for collection in 2013 and thereafter, sections 2 and 4 expire January 1, 2018.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE (Recommended Substitute): The provision that allowed the Veterans' assistance levy to grow by the greater of inflation or 1 percent is removed.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed except sections 3 and 5 which take effect January 1, 2018.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections): PRO: This is a good bill that will help generate additional resources for the veteran community. Veterans are returning home from service and they have needs that, with the current economic crises, are hard to meet. This bill will help generate additional resources.
Persons Testifying (Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections): PRO: Scott Merriman, Assn. of Counties.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill (Ways & Means): PRO: The bill will provide additional resources to meet growing veterans' needs. This levy goes back to the territorial government.
Persons Testifying (Ways & Means): PRO: Scott Merriman, WA State Assn. of Counties.