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 shall 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 it is referred to the voters for their approval or rejection.

(2) For the purposes of this section, "raises taxes" means any action or combination of actions by the legislature that increases state tax revenue deposited in any fund, budget, or account, regardless of whether the revenues are deposited into the general fund.

(3) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply to:

(a) An action of the legislature that receives the approval of at least a three-fifths vote of both the senate and house of representatives;

(b) An action of the legislature following a declaration by the governor of a state of emergency resulting from a catastrophic event that necessitates government action to protect life or public safety, via separate legislation setting forth the nature of the emergency and raising taxes, for a period not to exceed twelve months and for the limited purpose as contained in the declaration; and

(c) An action of the legislature modifying or terminating a tax preference that has been examined by a commission established by law to review tax preferences, and the commission has not recommended continuation of the preference.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the secretary of state shall 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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