AN ACT Relating to homes for the aged; amending RCW 84.36.040 and 84.36.383; adding new sections to chapter 84.36 RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

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

Sec. 1. Section 84.36.040, chapter 15, Laws of 1961 as last amended by section 1, chapter 31, Laws of 1987 and RCW 84.36.040 are each amended to read as follows:

The real and personal property used by nonprofit (1) day care centers as defined pursuant to RCW 74.15.020 as now or hereafter amended; (2) free public libraries; (3) orphanages and orphan asylums; (4) ((~~homes for the aged; (5)~~)) homes for the sick or infirm; ((~~(6)~~)) (5) hospitals for the sick; and ((~~(7)~~)) (6) outpatient dialysis facilities, which are used for the purposes of such organizations shall be exempt from taxation: PROVIDED, That the benefit of the exemption inures to the user.

To be exempt under this section, the property must be used exclusively for the purposes for which exemption is granted, except as provided in RCW 84.36.805.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 84.36 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The real and personal property used by homes for the aged for the purposes of such organization shall be exempt from taxation as provided in this section if:

(a) The organization is nonprofit within the meaning of RCW 84.36.800; and

(b) The home for the aged is exempt from income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code as existing on January 1, 1989, or such subsequent date as the director may provide by rule.

(2)(a) As of January 1st of the assessment year, or the date of initial application by the home for exemption under this chapter, whichever is later, for each increment of one percent of the total dwelling units on the property occupied by eligible persons, the home for the aged shall receive for property taxes levied in that year an exemption of two percent of the total assessed valuation of the property of the home for the aged. The date for determination of the applicable percentage shall be January 1 of each year.

(b) For taxes levied in 1989, one-third of the assessed valuation not exempt shall be taxable, for taxes levied in 1990, two-thirds of the assessed valuation not exempt shall be taxable, and for taxes levied in 1991, all of the assessed valuation not exempt shall be taxable.

(c) For the purposes of this section, "eligible persons" are those persons who meet the requirements for an exemption under RCW 84.36.381, other than the requirements that the residence be a single family dwelling and the resident own the dwelling. For purposes of this section, "home for the aged" shall mean property used for the operation of a residential housing facility that is not used or held for profit and is structured for handicapped persons or persons sixty-two years of age or older and for that a subsidy or payment is given by federal, state, or local government or by nonprofit organizations in a substantial amount in relation either to the amount given or to the total annual operating expenses to pay for principal, interest, and operating expenses provided such nonprofit organizations are presently created or operated for the primary purpose of providing such subsidy or payment.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 84.36 RCW to read as follows:

Homes for the aged that change status under section 2 of this act are exempt from RCW 84.36.855.

Sec. 4. Section 2, chapter 182, Laws of 1974 ex. sess. as last amended by section 2, chapter 155, Laws of 1987 and RCW 84.36.383 are each amended to read as follows:

As used in RCW 84.36.381 through 84.36.389, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

(1) The term "residence" shall mean a single family dwelling unit whether such unit be separate or part of a multiunit dwelling, including the land on which such dwelling stands not to exceed one acre. The term shall also include a share ownership in a cooperative housing association, corporation, or partnership if the person claiming exemption can establish that his or her share represents the specific unit or portion of such structure in which he or she resides. The term shall also include a single family dwelling situated upon lands the fee of which is vested in the United States or any instrumentality thereof including an Indian tribe or in the state of Washington, and notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 84.04.080, 84.04.090 or 84.40.250, such a residence shall be deemed real property.

(2) The term "real property" shall also include a mobile home which has substantially lost its identity as a mobile unit by virtue of its being fixed in location upon land owned or leased by the owner of the mobile home and placed on a foundation (posts or blocks) with fixed pipe, connections with sewer, water, or other utilities: PROVIDED, That a mobile home located on land leased by the owner of the mobile home shall be subject, for tax billing, payment, and collection purposes, only to the personal property provisions of chapter 84.56 RCW and RCW 84.60.040.

(3) The term "preceding calendar year" shall mean the calendar year preceding the year in which the claim for exemption is to be made.

(4) "Department" shall mean the state department of revenue.

(5) "Combined disposable income" means the disposable income of the person claiming the exemption, plus the disposable income of his or her spouse, and the disposable income of each cotenant occupying the residence for the preceding calendar year, less amounts paid by the person claiming the exemption or his or her spouse during the previous year for the treatment or care of either person in a nursing home.

(6) "Disposable income" means adjusted gross income as defined in the federal internal revenue code, as amended prior to January 1, 1980, or such subsequent date as the director may provide by rule, plus all of the following items to the extent they are not included in or have been deducted from adjusted gross income:

(a) Capital gains;

(b) Amounts deducted for loss;

(d) Pension and annuity receipts;

(e) Military pay and benefits other than attendant-care and medical-aid payments;

(f) Veterans benefits other than attendant-care and medical-aid payments;

(g) Federal social security act and railroad retirement benefits;

(h) Dividend receipts; and

(i) Interest received on state and municipal bonds.

(7) "Cotenant" means a person who resides with the person claiming the exemption and who has an ownership interest in the residence.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. This act applies to taxes levied in 1989 for collection in 1990, and thereafter.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.