H-938                _______________________________________________

                                                    HOUSE BILL NO. 808

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State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representatives Beck, Holland, J. Williams, Patrick, Betrozoff, Amondson, May, B. Williams, Bumgarner and Silver

Read first time 2/11/87 and referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

AN ACT Relating to limitations on the legislative power to enact taxes; and adding new sections to chapter 44.04 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 44.04 RCW to read as follows:

          The legislature shall not enact any law that increases the rate of any tax, broadens the base of any tax, or imposes a new tax unless the legislation is approved by three-fifths of the members of each house of the legislature.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 44.04 RCW to read as follows:

          Any person who is a taxpayer in and to the state of Washington has standing to sue to enforce section 1 of this act, and the courts of record of the state of Washington have jurisdiction to hear cases brought to enforce section 1 of this act.  "Person," as used in this section, includes, but is not limited to, an individual, corporation, partnership, association, or any other legal or commercial entity that is a resident of or doing business in the state.