H-1182              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1860

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Representatives Beck, Heavey, Winsley, Cantwell, Peery, Wood, Cooper, Horn and Ferguson

Read first time 2/8/89 and referred to Committee on Revenue.

AN ACT Relating to the property tax exemption for senior citizens; and amending RCW 84.36.383.

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

        Sec. 1.  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, 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;

          (c) Amounts deducted for depreciation;

          (d) Pension and annuity receipts, with the exception of lump sum distributions from retirement plans;

          (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.