BILL REQ. #: S-0510.1
State of Washington | 58th Legislature | 2003 Regular Session |
Read first time 01/17/2003. Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
STATE OF WASHINGTON, IN LEGISLATIVE SESSION ASSEMBLED:
THAT, At the next general election to be held in this state the
secretary of state shall submit to the qualified voters of the state
for their approval and ratification, or rejection, an amendment to
Article VII, section 1 of the Constitution of the state of Washington
to read as follows:
Article VII, section 1. The power of taxation shall never be
suspended, surrendered or contracted away. All tax increases must be
specifically authorized by a majority vote of the people within the
territorial limits of the authority proposing the tax increase unless
the tax increase is approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of all
the members elected to each house. All taxes shall be uniform upon the
same class of property within the territorial limits of the authority
levying the tax and shall be levied and collected for public purposes
only. The word "property" as used herein shall mean and include
everything, whether tangible or intangible, subject to ownership. All
real estate shall constitute one class: Provided, That the legislature
may tax mines and mineral resources and lands devoted to reforestation
by either a yield tax or an ad valorem tax at such rate as it may fix,
or by both. Such property as the legislature may by general laws
provide shall be exempt from taxation. Property of the United States
and of the state, counties, school districts and other municipal
corporations, and credits secured by property actually taxed in this
state, not exceeding in value the value of such property, shall be
exempt from taxation. The legislature shall have power, by appropriate
legislation, to exempt personal property to the amount of three
thousand ($3,000.00) dollars for each head of a family liable to
assessment and taxation under the provisions of the laws of this state
of which the individual is the actual bona fide owner.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the secretary of state shall cause
notice of this constitutional amendment to be published at least four
times during the four weeks next preceding the election in every legal
newspaper in the state.