BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, IN LEGISLATIVE SESSION ASSEMBLED:

THAT, At the next general election to be held in this state the secretary of state must submit to the qualified voters of the state for their approval and ratification, or rejection, an amendment to Article II of the Constitution of the state of Washington by adding a new section to read as follows:

Article II, section . . .. (1) Any action or combination of actions by the legislature that raises taxes may be taken only if approved by at least a two-thirds vote of both the house of representatives and the senate. Pursuant to the referendum power set forth in Article II, section 1(b) of this Constitution, tax increases may be referred to the voters for their approval or rejection at an election.

(2)(a) A fee may only be imposed or increased in any fiscal year if approved with a simple majority vote in both the house of representatives and the senate. Only the legislature may set the amount of a fee increase. The amount of a fee increase must be expressly stated in legislation and passed by the legislature.

(b) The requirement in (a) of this subsection does not apply to an assessment made by any of the following, if the assessment is approved by referendum in accordance with the provision of the statutes creating the commission or board or chapter 15.65 or 15.66 RCW for approving such assessments:

(i) An agricultural commodity commission;

(ii) A board created by state statute or created under a marketing agreement or order under chapter 15.65 or 15.66 RCW; or

(iii) The forest products commission.

(3) Any action or combination of actions by the legislature that raises taxes, which meets the requirements of this section, is not required to be submitted to the people for an advisory vote.

(4) For the purposes of this section:

(a) "Fee increase" includes a new fee or an increase in an existing fee, including those related to Titles 47 and 28B RCW; and

(b) "Raises taxes" means any action or combination of actions by the state legislature that increases state revenue deposited in any fund, budget, or account, regardless of whether the revenues are deposited into the general fund.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the secretary of state must cause notice of this constitutional amendment to be published at least four times during the four weeks next preceding the election in every legal newspaper in the state.

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