HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2917
As Reported By House Committee On:
Human Services
Title: An act relating to the federal earned income tax credit.
Brief Description: Maximizing the number of residents who receive the federal earned income credit.
Sponsors: Representatives Thibaudeau, Cooke, Wolfe and Brown.
Brief History:
Reported by House Committee on:
Human Services, February 23, 1994, DP.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 12 members: Representatives Leonard, Chair; Thibaudeau, Vice Chair; Cooke, Ranking Minority Member; Talcott, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Brown; Caver; Karahalios; Lisk; Padden; Patterson; Riley and Wolfe.
Staff: Dave Knutson (786-7146).
Background: The earned income tax credit is a tax benefit for lower-income working families. Internal Revenue Service data for tax year 1993 indicates that over 195,000 families in Washington state received approximately $172 million in benefits through this program. A steering committee representing state agencies, the Internal Revenue Service, other federal agencies, non-profit organizations, and other individuals is currently engaged in outreach efforts to inform lower-income working families of the benefits of the earned income tax credit.
Summary of Bill: The Office of Financial Management is required to coordinate an interagency effort to maximize the utilization of the earned income tax credit by eligible workers in Washington State. An unspecified appropriation is made to the Office of Financial Management to carry out this responsibility.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Appropriation: An unspecified amount from the general fund--state to the Office of Financial Management.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: Increasing the utilization of the earned income tax credit by low-income workers will increase their household income and add additional money to the state economy.
Testimony Against: None.
Witnesses: Nancy Amidei, University of Washington (pro).