FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6064

                                  C 483 L 87

BYSenate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators McDermott and Deccio)

Changing provisions relating to the local excise tax on lodgings.

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

House Committe on Ways & Means

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Cities and counties are allowed to levy a special excise tax of up to 2 percent on hotels and motels.  These tax revenues are to be used for constructing or operating stadium facilities, convention center facilities, performing arts center facilities, visual arts center facilities, or to pay for tourism promotion activities.

Revenues collected by the cities and counties imposing this tax are deducted from the state sales tax on hotels and motels within the city or county.  For example, in King County the state sales tax of 6.5 percent on hotels and motels is split 4.5 percent for the state and 2.0 percent for the county.

Counties are not allowed to impose this tax within cities that also impose the tax.  This is to prevent "double dipping."  However, if a county is using the tax for debt service on bonds sold prior to June 26, 1975, then that county may impose the tax countywide.  This occurs in two counties:  King and Yakima.  No city within these counties may impose the tax unless they are using the tax for debt service on bonds sold prior to June 26, 1975.  Bellevue and the city of Yakima fall into this category.

The Yakima County bonds will be paid off in the 1990s.  When the county tax revenue is no longer needed for debt service on these bonds, the county will no longer be allowed to levy the tax within cities that also impose the tax.

In 1986 the uses for which King County could use hotel/motel tax monies were limited.  Taxes collected in excess of $5.3 million per year may only be used for art and cultural museums.

Tacoma and Pierce County desire additional tax revenues for marketing and promotion.

SUMMARY:

In addition to paying debt service on bonds issued prior to June 26, 1975, non-AA counties (i.e., Yakima County) may sell additional bonds and use any surplus tax revenues for county-owned facilities for agricultural promotion.  If the new bonds and surplus money are used in this manner, then the county can continue to levy the tax within all cities in the county.  Cities within the county are prohibited from imposing the tax unless the money is used to pay debt service on bonds sold prior to June 26, 1975.

Taxes collected by King County in excess of $5.3 million per year may only be used for art museums, cultural museums, the arts, and/or the performing arts.

Pierce County and the cities in Pierce County may levy an additional 2 percent hotel/motel tax and the revenues therefrom must be spent for visitor and convention promotion and development.  The additional tax is not a credit against the state sales tax.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Senate    47     2

      House 76  15 (House amended)

      Senate    36    11 (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 26, 1987