HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2467

As Passed House:

February 11, 2002

Title:  An act relating to distribution of taxes by the county treasurer.

Brief Description:  Modifying county treasurer provisions.

Sponsors:  By Representatives Sullivan, Dunshee, DeBolt, Mulliken and Berkey.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Local Government & Housing:  1/30/02 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/11/02, 94-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Requiring the county treasurer to distribute tax receipts on the first day of the month to those districts for which the county treasurer is the district treasurer.

$Requiring the county treasurer to distribute tax receipts on or before the tenth day of the month to those districts for which the county treasurer is not the district treasurer.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT & HOUSING

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Dunshee, Chair; Edwards, Vice Chair; Mulliken, Ranking Minority Member; Berkey, Crouse, DeBolt, Dunn, Hatfield, Kirby, Mielke and Sullivan.

Staff:  Amy Wood (786‑7127).

Background:

County treasurers are the custodians of all the moneys belonging to the county and the state until they are disbursed according to law.  County treasurers act as the collector of all taxes upon real and personal property, and also collect assessments and charges for special districts. 

On the first day of each month the county treasurer is required to distribute to each of the taxing districts the pro rata amount of money collected as consolidated tax payments during the previous month.

On or before the tenth day of the month, the county treasurer is required to distribute to the city treasurers the cities' pro rata share of taxes collected the previous month.

Summary of Bill:

The statute governing monthly distribution of taxes collected is revised.  The county treasurer is required to distribute tax receipts on the first day of the month to those districts for which the county treasurer is the district treasurer.  In addition, the county treasurer is required to distribute tax receipts on or before the tenth day of the month to those districts for which the county treasurer is not the district treasurer.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  House Bill 2467 is essentially a housekeeping bill.  Ports have had difficulty in the past receiving tax receipts from the county treasurer in a timely manner.  This bill adds a distribution date that would require the county treasurer to distribute tax receipts in a more timely manner.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  (In support) Representative Sullivan; and Pat Jones, Washington Public Ports Association.