BILL REQ. #:  H-4115.1 

Read first time 02/11/14.   Referred to Committee on Finance.

     AN ACT Relating to creating an efficient and effective system for the taxation and tracking of recreational marijuana sales; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature recognizes the importance of ensuring the collection of taxes on the production, processing, and sale of recreational marijuana. The legislature further recognizes that a system must be created by the liquor control board to establish the most efficient and secure mechanism for the collection and tracking of such taxes for both state and industry that:
     (a) Provides an efficient single collection point for recreational marijuana taxes that ensures all revenue is collected in the most appropriate and effective manner possible;
     (b) Provides ease of administration and regulation; and
     (c) Requires the liquor control board to select and implement the most secure, convenient, and effective taxing and tracking system as quickly as possible.
     (2) The legislature further finds that the state would benefit from having the taxing and tracking system created under this act be operational prior to the date that the first sale of recreational marijuana occurs in this state; and therefore, declares that such system should be developed and implemented as soon as possible to ensure efficient and effective tax collection.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   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.