2SSB 5433 -
By Committee on Finance
NOT ADOPTED 04/17/2009
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"Sec. 1 RCW 82.14.450 and 2007 c 380 s 1 are each amended to read
as follows:
(1) A county legislative authority may submit an authorizing
proposition to the county voters at a primary or general election and,
if the proposition is approved by a majority of persons voting, impose
a sales and use tax in accordance with the terms of this chapter. The
title of each ballot measure must clearly state the purposes for which
the proposed sales and use tax will be used. Funds raised under this
tax shall not supplant existing funds used for these purposes, except
as follows: Up to one hundred percent may be used to supplant existing
funding in calendar year 2010; up to eighty percent may be used to
supplant existing funding in calendar year 2011; up to sixty percent
may be used to supplant existing funding in calendar year 2012; up to
forty percent may be used to supplant existing funding in calendar year
2013; and up to twenty percent may be used to supplant existing funding
in calendar year 2014. For purposes of this subsection, existing funds
means the actual operating expenditures for the calendar year in which
the ballot measure is approved by voters. Actual operating
expenditures excludes lost federal funds, lost or expired state grants
or loans, extraordinary events not likely to reoccur, changes in
contract provisions beyond the control of the county or city receiving
the services, and major nonrecurring capital expenditures. The rate of
tax under this section ((shall)) may not exceed three-tenths of one
percent of the selling price in the case of a sales tax, or value of
the article used, in the case of a use tax.
(2) The tax authorized in this section is in addition to any other
taxes authorized by law and ((shall)) must be collected from those
persons who are taxable by the state under chapters 82.08 and 82.12 RCW
upon the occurrence of any taxable event within the county.
(3) The retail sale or use of motor vehicles, and the lease of
motor vehicles for up to the first thirty-six months of the lease, are
exempt from tax imposed under this section.
(4) One-third of all money received under this section ((shall))
must be used solely for criminal justice purposes, fire protection
purposes, or both. For the purposes of this subsection, "criminal
justice purposes" ((means additional police protection, mitigation of
congested court systems, or relief of overcrowded jails or other local
correctional facilities)) has the same meaning as provided in RCW
82.14.340.
(5) Money received under this section ((shall)) must be shared
between the county and the cities as follows: Sixty percent ((shall))
must be retained by the county and forty percent ((shall)) must be
distributed on a per capita basis to cities in the county.
Sec. 2 RCW 82.14.460 and 2008 c 157 s 2 are each amended to read
as follows:
(1) A county legislative authority may authorize, fix, and impose
a sales and use tax in accordance with the terms of this chapter.
(2) The tax authorized in this section shall be in addition to any
other taxes authorized by law and shall be collected from those persons
who are taxable by the state under chapters 82.08 and 82.12 RCW upon
the occurrence of any taxable event within the county. The rate of tax
shall equal one-tenth of one percent of the selling price in the case
of a sales tax, or value of the article used, in the case of a use tax.
(3) Moneys collected under this section shall be used solely for
the purpose of providing for the operation or delivery of ((new or
expanded)) chemical dependency or mental health treatment programs and
services and for the operation or delivery of ((new or expanded))
therapeutic court programs and services. For the purposes of this
section, "programs and services" includes, but is not limited to,
treatment services, case management, and housing that are a component
of a coordinated chemical dependency or mental health treatment program
or service.
(4) All moneys collected under this section must be used solely for
the purpose of providing new or expanded programs and services as
provided in this section, except a portion of moneys collected under
this section ((shall not)) may be used to supplant existing funding for
these purposes((, provided that)) in any county as follows: Up to
fifty percent may be used to supplant existing funding in calendar year
2010; up to forty percent may be used to supplant existing funding in
calendar year 2011; up to thirty percent may be used to supplant
existing funding in calendar year 2012; up to twenty percent may be
used to supplant existing funding in calendar year 2013; and up to ten
percent may be used to supplant existing funding in calendar year 2014.
(5) Nothing in this section ((shall)) may be interpreted to
prohibit the use of moneys collected under this section for the
replacement of lapsed federal funding previously provided for the
operation or delivery of services and programs as provided in this
section.
Sec. 3 RCW 84.55.050 and 2008 c 319 s 1 are each amended to read
as follows:
(1) Subject to any otherwise applicable statutory dollar rate
limitations, regular property taxes may be levied by or for a taxing
district in an amount exceeding the limitations provided for in this
chapter if such levy is authorized by a proposition approved by a
majority of the voters of the taxing district voting on the proposition
at a general election held within the district or at a special election
within the taxing district called by the district for the purpose of
submitting such proposition to the voters. Any election held pursuant
to this section shall be held not more than twelve months prior to the
date on which the proposed levy is to be made, except as provided in
subsection (2) of this section. The ballot of the proposition shall
state the dollar rate proposed and shall clearly state the conditions,
if any, which are applicable under subsection (4) of this section.
(2)(a) Subject to statutory dollar limitations, a proposition
placed before the voters under this section may authorize annual
increases in levies for multiple consecutive years, up to six
consecutive years, during which period each year's authorized maximum
legal levy shall be used as the base upon which an increased levy limit
for the succeeding year is computed, but the ballot proposition must
state the dollar rate proposed only for the first year of the
consecutive years and must state the limit factor, or a specified index
to be used for determining a limit factor, such as the consumer price
index, which need not be the same for all years, by which the regular
tax levy for the district may be increased in each of the subsequent
consecutive years. Elections for this purpose must be held at a
primary or general election. The title of each ballot measure must
state the limited purposes for which the proposed annual increases
during the specified period of up to six consecutive years shall be
used((, and funds raised under the levy shall not supplant existing
funds used for these purposes)).
(b)(i) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (2)(b),
funds raised by a levy under this subsection shall not supplant
existing funds used for the limited purpose specified in the ballot
title. For purposes of this subsection, existing funds means the
actual operating expenditures for the calendar year in which the ballot
measure is approved by voters. Actual operating expenditures excludes
lost federal funds, lost or expired state grants or loans,
extraordinary events not likely to reoccur, changes in contract
provisions beyond the control of the taxing district receiving the
services, and major nonrecurring capital expenditures.
(ii) The supplanting limitations in (b)(i) of this subsection do
not apply to levies approved by the voters in calendar years 2009,
2010, and 2011, in any county with a population of one million five
hundred thousand or more. This subsection (2)(b)(ii) only applies to
levies approved by the voters after the effective date of this act.
(iii) The supplanting limitations in (b)(i) of this subsection do
not apply to levies approved by the voters in calendar year 2009 and
thereafter in any county with a population less than one million five
hundred thousand. This subsection (2)(b)(iii) only applies to levies
approved by the voters after the effective date of this act.
(3) After a levy authorized pursuant to this section is made, the
dollar amount of such levy may not be used for the purpose of computing
the limitations for subsequent levies provided for in this chapter,
unless the ballot proposition expressly states that the levy made under
this section will be used for this purpose.
(4) If expressly stated, a proposition placed before the voters
under subsection (1) or (2) of this section may:
(a) Use the dollar amount of a levy under subsection (1) of this
section, or the dollar amount of the final levy under subsection (2) of
this section, for the purpose of computing the limitations for
subsequent levies provided for in this chapter;
(b) Limit the period for which the increased levy is to be made
under (a) of this subsection;
(c) Limit the purpose for which the increased levy is to be made
under (a) of this subsection, but if the limited purpose includes
making redemption payments on bonds, the period for which the increased
levies are made shall not exceed nine years;
(d) Set the levy or levies at a rate less than the maximum rate
allowed for the district; or
(e) Include any combination of the conditions in this subsection.
(5) Except as otherwise expressly stated in an approved ballot
measure under this section, subsequent levies shall be computed as if:
(a) The proposition under this section had not been approved; and
(b) The taxing district had made levies at the maximum rates which
would otherwise have been allowed under this chapter during the years
levies were made under the proposition.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4 (1) A county may adopt an ordinance creating
a rural public safety and infrastructure district in all of the
unincorporated area of the county. The ordinance creating the
district may only be adopted after a public hearing has been held on
the creation of the district and the county legislative body makes a
finding that it is in the public interest to create the district. The
members of the county legislative body, acting in an ex officio
capacity and independently, shall compose the governing body of a
district.
(2) A rural public safety and infrastructure district is a quasi-municipal corporation and an independent taxing "authority" within the
meaning of Article VII, section 1 of the state Constitution.
(3) A rural public safety and infrastructure district shall have
the authority to contract under chapter 39.34 RCW with a county, city,
town, or other municipality for the provision of services and capital
projects within the district.
(4) This section expires January 1, 2015.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5 (1) A rural public safety and infrastructure
district created under section 4 of this act may impose an excise tax
on the privilege of engaging in business as a utility. The tax is
equal to the gross income derived from providing service to consumers
within the district multiplied by the rate provided in subsection (2)
of this section. A district located in a county with a population of
one million five hundred thousand or less may not impose an excise tax
on the privilege of engaging in business as a gas utility.
(2) A district may not impose a rate of tax that exceeds six
percent, except a district located in a county with a population of one
million five hundred thousand or less may not impose a rate that
exceeds one percent on an electrical power utility.
(3) A rural public safety and infrastructure district must use
taxes collected under the authority of this section only for public
safety, infrastructure, capital projects, and other services provided
within the district.
(4) A utility subject to tax under this section must add the tax to
the rates or charges it makes for utility services and separately state
the amount of tax on billings.
(5) A rural public safety and infrastructure district may initially
impose the tax authorized under this section only on the first day of
a calendar quarter and no sooner than seventy-five days from the date
the district adopts the ordinance or resolution imposing the tax.
(6) A rural public safety and infrastructure district may provide
exemptions for sales by utilities to business customers, such as
manufacturing facilities, aircraft repair facilities, industrial parks,
industrial facilities, farm businesses, and computer data centers. A
district may not provide a general exemption for sales by utilities to
residential customers unless business customers are also exempt.
(7) A rural public safety and infrastructure district must allow a
credit against the cable service utility tax for any franchise fee paid
by the cable service utility to the county.
(8) A rural public safety and infrastructure district must allow a
credit against a tax imposed under the authority of this section for
the amount of any similar utility tax imposed by a city or town on the
same taxable event. The credit required by this subsection may not
exceed the amount of tax otherwise due.
(9) A rural public safety and infrastructure district located in a
county with a population of one million five hundred thousand or more
may not impose the tax authorized under this section after January 1,
2015.
(10) The definitions in this subsection apply to this section.
(a) "Cable service utility" means a person providing cable service
as defined in the federal telecommunications act of 1996.
(b) "Electrical power utility" has the same meaning as light and
power business as defined in RCW 82.16.010.
(c) "Gas utility" has the same meaning as gas distribution business
as defined in RCW 82.16.010.
(d) "Gross income" is defined as provided in RCW 82.16.010.
(e) "Sewer utility" means a sewerage collection business as defined
in RCW 82.16.020.
(f) "Solid waste utility" means a solid waste collection business
as defined in RCW 82.18.010.
(g) "Telephone utility" means a person providing telecommunications
service as defined in RCW 82.04.065.
(h) "Water utility" means a water distribution business as defined
in RCW 82.16.010.
(i) "Utility" means an electrical power utility, gas utility,
telephone utility, water utility, sewer utility, solid waste utility,
or cable service utility. "Utility" also means a water-sewer district
formed under Title 57 RCW.
Sec. 6 RCW 36.54.130 and 2007 c 223 s 6 are each amended to read
as follows:
(1) To carry out the purposes for which ferry districts are
created, the governing body of a ferry district may levy each year an
ad valorem tax on all taxable property located in the district not to
exceed seventy-five cents per thousand dollars of assessed value,
except a ferry district in a county with a population of one million
five hundred thousand or more may not levy at a rate that exceeds seven
and one-half cents per thousand dollars of assessed value. The levy
must be sufficient for the provision of ferry services as shown to be
required by the budget prepared by the governing body of the ferry
district.
(2) A tax imposed under this section may be used only for:
(a) Providing ferry services, including the purchase, lease, or
rental of ferry vessels and dock facilities;
(b) The operation, maintenance, and improvement of ferry vessels
and dock facilities;
(c) Providing shuttle services between the ferry terminal and
passenger parking facilities, and other landside improvements directly
related to the provision of passenger-only ferry service; and
(d) Related personnel costs.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 7 A new section is added to chapter 84.52 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) A county with a population of one million five hundred thousand
or more may impose an additional regular property tax levy in an amount
not to exceed seven and one-half cents per thousand dollars of the
assessed value of property in the county in accordance with the terms
of this section.
(2) Any tax imposed under this section shall be used as follows:
(a) Thirteen and one-third percent for expanding transit capacity
along state route number 520 by adding core and other supporting bus
routes;
(b) The remainder for transit-related expenditures.
(3) The limitations in RCW 84.52.043 do not apply to the tax
authorized in this section.
(4) The limitation in RCW 84.55.010 does not apply to the first tax
levy imposed under this section.
Sec. 8 RCW 84.52.043 and 2005 c 122 s 3 are each amended to read
as follows:
Within and subject to the limitations imposed by RCW 84.52.050 as
amended, the regular ad valorem tax levies upon real and personal
property by the taxing districts hereafter named shall be as follows:
(1) Levies of the senior taxing districts shall be as follows: (a)
The levy by the state shall not exceed three dollars and sixty cents
per thousand dollars of assessed value adjusted to the state equalized
value in accordance with the indicated ratio fixed by the state
department of revenue to be used exclusively for the support of the
common schools; (b) the levy by any county shall not exceed one dollar
and eighty cents per thousand dollars of assessed value; (c) the levy
by any road district shall not exceed two dollars and twenty-five cents
per thousand dollars of assessed value; and (d) the levy by any city or
town shall not exceed three dollars and thirty-seven and one-half cents
per thousand dollars of assessed value. However any county is hereby
authorized to increase its levy from one dollar and eighty cents to a
rate not to exceed two dollars and forty-seven and one-half cents per
thousand dollars of assessed value for general county purposes if the
total levies for both the county and any road district within the
county do not exceed four dollars and five cents per thousand dollars
of assessed value, and no other taxing district has its levy reduced as
a result of the increased county levy.
(2) The aggregate levies of junior taxing districts and senior
taxing districts, other than the state, shall not exceed five dollars
and ninety cents per thousand dollars of assessed valuation. The term
"junior taxing districts" includes all taxing districts other than the
state, counties, road districts, cities, towns, port districts, and
public utility districts. The limitations provided in this subsection
shall not apply to: (a) Levies at the rates provided by existing law
by or for any port or public utility district; (b) excess property tax
levies authorized in Article VII, section 2 of the state Constitution;
(c) levies for acquiring conservation futures as authorized under RCW
84.34.230; (d) levies for emergency medical care or emergency medical
services imposed under RCW 84.52.069; (e) levies to finance affordable
housing for very low-income housing imposed under RCW 84.52.105; (f)
the portions of levies by metropolitan park districts that are
protected under RCW 84.52.120; (g) levies imposed by ferry districts
under RCW 36.54.130; (h) levies for criminal justice purposes under RCW
84.52.135; ((and)) (i) the portions of levies by fire protection
districts that are protected under RCW 84.52.125; and (j) levies by
counties for transit-related purposes under section 7 of this act.
Sec. 9 RCW 84.52.010 and 2007 c 54 s 26 are each amended to read
as follows:
Except as is permitted under RCW 84.55.050, all taxes shall be
levied or voted in specific amounts.
The rate percent of all taxes for state and county purposes, and
purposes of taxing districts coextensive with the county, shall be
determined, calculated and fixed by the county assessors of the
respective counties, within the limitations provided by law, upon the
assessed valuation of the property of the county, as shown by the
completed tax rolls of the county, and the rate percent of all taxes
levied for purposes of taxing districts within any county shall be
determined, calculated and fixed by the county assessors of the
respective counties, within the limitations provided by law, upon the
assessed valuation of the property of the taxing districts
respectively.
When a county assessor finds that the aggregate rate of tax levy on
any property, that is subject to the limitations set forth in RCW
84.52.043 or 84.52.050, exceeds the limitations provided in either of
these sections, the assessor shall recompute and establish a
consolidated levy in the following manner:
(1) The full certified rates of tax levy for state, county, county
road district, and city or town purposes shall be extended on the tax
rolls in amounts not exceeding the limitations established by law;
however any state levy shall take precedence over all other levies and
shall not be reduced for any purpose other than that required by RCW
84.55.010. If, as a result of the levies imposed under RCW 36.54.130,
84.34.230, 84.52.069, 84.52.105, the portion of the levy by a
metropolitan park district that was protected under RCW 84.52.120,
84.52.125, ((and)) 84.52.135, and section 8 of this act, the combined
rate of regular property tax levies that are subject to the one percent
limitation exceeds one percent of the true and fair value of any
property, then these levies shall be reduced as follows:
(a) The levy imposed by a county under section 8 of this act shall
be reduced until the combined rate no longer exceeds one percent of the
true and fair value of any property or shall be eliminated;
(b) If the combined rate of regular property tax levies that are
subject to the one percent limitation still exceeds one percent of the
true and fair value of any property, the portion of the levy by a fire
protection district that is protected under RCW 84.52.125 shall be
reduced until the combined rate no longer exceeds one percent of the
true and fair value of any property or shall be eliminated;
(((b))) (c) If the combined rate of regular property tax levies
that are subject to the one percent limitation still exceeds one
percent of the true and fair value of any property, the levy imposed by
a county under RCW 84.52.135 must be reduced until the combined rate no
longer exceeds one percent of the true and fair value of any property
or must be eliminated;
(((c))) (d) If the combined rate of regular property tax levies
that are subject to the one percent limitation still exceeds one
percent of the true and fair value of any property, the levy imposed by
a ferry district under RCW 36.54.130 must be reduced until the combined
rate no longer exceeds one percent of the true and fair value of any
property or must be eliminated;
(((d))) (e) If the combined rate of regular property tax levies
that are subject to the one percent limitation still exceeds one
percent of the true and fair value of any property, the portion of the
levy by a metropolitan park district that is protected under RCW
84.52.120 shall be reduced until the combined rate no longer exceeds
one percent of the true and fair value of any property or shall be
eliminated;
(((e))) (f) If the combined rate of regular property tax levies
that are subject to the one percent limitation still exceeds one
percent of the true and fair value of any property, then the levies
imposed under RCW 84.34.230, 84.52.105, and any portion of the levy
imposed under RCW 84.52.069 that is in excess of thirty cents per
thousand dollars of assessed value, shall be reduced on a pro rata
basis until the combined rate no longer exceeds one percent of the true
and fair value of any property or shall be eliminated; and
(((f))) (g) If the combined rate of regular property tax levies
that are subject to the one percent limitation still exceeds one
percent of the true and fair value of any property, then the thirty
cents per thousand dollars of assessed value of tax levy imposed under
RCW 84.52.069 shall be reduced until the combined rate no longer
exceeds one percent of the true and fair value of any property or
eliminated.
(2) The certified rates of tax levy subject to these limitations by
all junior taxing districts imposing taxes on such property shall be
reduced or eliminated as follows to bring the consolidated levy of
taxes on such property within the provisions of these limitations:
(a) First, the certified property tax levy rates of those junior
taxing districts authorized under RCW 36.68.525, 36.69.145, 35.95A.100,
and 67.38.130 shall be reduced on a pro rata basis or eliminated;
(b) Second, if the consolidated tax levy rate still exceeds these
limitations, the certified property tax levy rates of flood control
zone districts shall be reduced on a pro rata basis or eliminated;
(c) Third, if the consolidated tax levy rate still exceeds these
limitations, the certified property tax levy rates of all other junior
taxing districts, other than fire protection districts, regional fire
protection service authorities, library districts, the first fifty cent
per thousand dollars of assessed valuation levies for metropolitan park
districts, and the first fifty cent per thousand dollars of assessed
valuation levies for public hospital districts, shall be reduced on a
pro rata basis or eliminated;
(d) Fourth, if the consolidated tax levy rate still exceeds these
limitations, the first fifty cent per thousand dollars of assessed
valuation levies for metropolitan park districts created on or after
January 1, 2002, shall be reduced on a pro rata basis or eliminated;
(e) Fifth, if the consolidated tax levy rate still exceeds these
limitations, the certified property tax levy rates authorized to fire
protection districts under RCW 52.16.140 and 52.16.160 and regional
fire protection service authorities under RCW 52.26.140(1) (b) and (c)
shall be reduced on a pro rata basis or eliminated; and
(f) Sixth, if the consolidated tax levy rate still exceeds these
limitations, the certified property tax levy rates authorized for fire
protection districts under RCW 52.16.130, regional fire protection
service authorities under RCW 52.26.140(1)(a), library districts,
metropolitan park districts created before January 1, 2002, under their
first fifty cent per thousand dollars of assessed valuation levy, and
public hospital districts under their first fifty cent per thousand
dollars of assessed valuation levy, shall be reduced on a pro rata
basis or eliminated.
Sec. 10 RCW 47.26.086 and 1994 c 179 s 11 are each amended to
read as follows:
(1) Transportation improvement account projects selected for
funding programs after fiscal year 1995 are governed by the
requirements of this section.
(2) The board shall allocate funds from the account by June 30th of
each year for the ensuing fiscal year to urban counties, cities with a
population of five thousand and over, and to transportation benefit
districts. Projects may include, but are not limited to, multi-agency
projects and arterial improvement projects in fast-growing areas. The
board shall endeavor to provide geographical diversity in selecting
improvement projects to be funded from the account.
(3) The intent of the program is to improve mobility of people and
goods in Washington state by supporting economic development and
environmentally responsive solutions to our statewide transportation
system needs.
(4) To be eligible to receive these funds, a project must be
consistent with the Growth Management Act, the Clean Air Act including
conformity, and the Commute Trip Reduction Law and consideration must
have been given to the project's relationship, both actual and
potential, with the statewide rail passenger program and rapid mass
transit. Projects must be consistent with any adopted high capacity
transportation plan, must consider existing or reasonably foreseeable
congestion levels attributable to economic development or growth and
all modes of transportation and safety, and must be partially funded by
local government or private contributions, or a combination of such
contributions. Priority consideration shall be given to those projects
with the greatest percentage of local or private contribution, or both.
(5) A city or town located within a county with a population of one
million five hundred thousand or more may not qualify for new grants
after December 31, 2014, until all potential annexation areas have been
annexed. This subsection (5) only applies to potential annexation
areas that are: (a) Recognized in the city or town's comprehensive
plan or related document as such plan or related document exists on the
effective date of this act; and (b) estimated to have a population in
excess of four thousand. The 2014 date in this subsection is 2020 for
any city or town located partially in a county with a population of one
million five hundred thousand or more and partially in another county.
(6) Within one year after board approval of an application for
funding, the lead agency shall provide written certification to the
board of the pledged local and private funding for the phase of the
project approved. Funds allocated to an applicant that does not
certify its funding within one year after approval may be reallocated
by the board.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 11 A new section is added to chapter 43.155
RCW to read as follows:
A city or town located within a county with a population of one
million five hundred thousand or more may not qualify for new loans or
pledges after December 31, 2014, until all potential annexation areas
have been annexed. This section only applies to potential annexation
areas that are: (1) Recognized in the city's or town's comprehensive
plan or related document as such plan or related document exists on the
effective date of this act; and (2) estimated to have a population in
excess of four thousand.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 12 A new section is added to chapter 35.21 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) Subject to the requirements of this section, a city or town may
impose a tax upon the gross income of a water-sewer district formed
under Title 57 RCW.
(2) A city or town imposing the tax authorized under this section
may not impose a rate of tax that exceeds six percent. A city or town
may impose the tax only upon the gross income of a water-sewer district
derived from services provided within the city or town.
(3) A city or town imposing the tax authorized under this section
must allow a credit against the tax for any franchise fee paid by a
water-sewer district to the city or town.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 13 A new section is added to chapter 43.09 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) By January 1, 2011, the state auditor shall conduct a
performance audit of any county with a population of one million five
hundred thousand or more to specifically determine whether policy
changes and programs the county has adopted since January 1, 2009, will
effectively reduce overhead and other costs, improve services, and
streamline operations. The performance audit must identify current
deficiencies in recognized best practices in the provision of county
goods and services and how the provision of these goods and services
could be provided more efficiently and effectively. As part of the
performance audit, the auditor shall also evaluate the amount of local
and regional services provided by the county within and outside city
limits and contrast this with other large counties in Washington and
with counties of similar size in other states. The state auditor shall
use money distributed to the auditor under RCW 82.08.020(5) to pay for
the performance audit required under this section.
(2) This section expires January 1, 2012.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 14 The legislature reaffirms its intent that
the statutes authorizing the local taxation of brokered natural gas and
manufactured gas as provided by chapter 384, Laws of 1989 and RCW
82.12.010(5) result in the fair and equitable taxation of all natural
and manufactured gas users, from large industrial consumers to small
residential users, and it is the legislature's intent that the taxation
of such gas by local jurisdictions be at the place of consumption.
Sec. 15 RCW 82.12.010 and 2006 c 301 s 3 are each amended to read
as follows:
For the purposes of this chapter:
(1) "Purchase price" means the same as sales price as defined in
RCW 82.08.010((.));
(2)(a) "Value of the article used" shall be the purchase price for
the article of tangible personal property, the use of which is taxable
under this chapter. The term also includes, in addition to the
purchase price, the amount of any tariff or duty paid with respect to
the importation of the article used. In case the article used is
acquired by lease or by gift or is extracted, produced, or manufactured
by the person using the same or is sold under conditions wherein the
purchase price does not represent the true value thereof, the value of
the article used shall be determined as nearly as possible according to
the retail selling price at place of use of similar products of like
quality and character under such rules as the department may prescribe.
(b) In case the articles used are acquired by bailment, the value
of the use of the articles so used shall be in an amount representing
a reasonable rental for the use of the articles so bailed, determined
as nearly as possible according to the value of such use at the places
of use of similar products of like quality and character under such
rules as the department of revenue may prescribe. In case any such
articles of tangible personal property are used in respect to the
construction, repairing, decorating, or improving of, and which become
or are to become an ingredient or component of, new or existing
buildings or other structures under, upon, or above real property of or
for the United States, any instrumentality thereof, or a county or city
housing authority created pursuant to chapter 35.82 RCW, including the
installing or attaching of any such articles therein or thereto,
whether or not such personal property becomes a part of the realty by
virtue of installation, then the value of the use of such articles so
used shall be determined according to the retail selling price of such
articles, or in the absence of such a selling price, as nearly as
possible according to the retail selling price at place of use of
similar products of like quality and character or, in the absence of
either of these selling price measures, such value may be determined
upon a cost basis, in any event under such rules as the department of
revenue may prescribe.
(c) In the case of articles owned by a user engaged in business
outside the state which are brought into the state for no more than one
hundred eighty days in any period of three hundred sixty-five
consecutive days and which are temporarily used for business purposes
by the person in this state, the value of the article used shall be an
amount representing a reasonable rental for the use of the articles,
unless the person has paid tax under this chapter or chapter 82.08 RCW
upon the full value of the article used, as defined in (a) of this
subsection.
(d) In the case of articles manufactured or produced by the user
and used in the manufacture or production of products sold or to be
sold to the department of defense of the United States, the value of
the articles used shall be determined according to the value of the
ingredients of such articles.
(e) In the case of an article manufactured or produced for purposes
of serving as a prototype for the development of a new or improved
product, the value of the article used shall be determined by: (i) The
retail selling price of such new or improved product when first offered
for sale; or (ii) the value of materials incorporated into the
prototype in cases in which the new or improved product is not offered
for sale.
(f) In the case of an article purchased with a direct pay permit
under RCW 82.32.087, the value of the article used shall be determined
by the purchase price of such article if, but for the use of the direct
pay permit, the transaction would have been subject to sales tax;
(3) "Value of the service used" means the purchase price for the
service, the use of which is taxable under this chapter. If the
service is received by gift or under conditions wherein the purchase
price does not represent the true value thereof, the value of the
service used shall be determined as nearly as possible according to the
retail selling price at place of use of similar services of like
quality and character under rules the department may prescribe;
(4) "Value of the extended warranty used" means the purchase price
for the extended warranty, the use of which is taxable under this
chapter. If the extended warranty is received by gift or under
conditions wherein the purchase price does not represent the true value
of the extended warranty, the value of the extended warranty used shall
be determined as nearly as possible according to the retail selling
price at place of use of similar extended warranties of like quality
and character under rules the department may prescribe;
(5) "Use," "used," "using," or "put to use" shall have their
ordinary meaning, and shall mean:
(a) With respect to tangible personal property, except for natural
gas and manufactured gas, the first act within this state by which the
taxpayer takes or assumes dominion or control over the article of
tangible personal property (as a consumer), and include installation,
storage, withdrawal from storage, distribution, or any other act
preparatory to subsequent actual use or consumption within this state;
(b) With respect to a service defined in RCW 82.04.050(2)(a), the
first act within this state after the service has been performed by
which the taxpayer takes or assumes dominion or control over the
article of tangible personal property upon which the service was
performed (as a consumer), and includes installation, storage,
withdrawal from storage, distribution, or any other act preparatory to
subsequent actual use or consumption of the article within this state;
((and))
(c) With respect to an extended warranty, the first act within this
state after the extended warranty has been acquired by which the
taxpayer takes or assumes dominion or control over the article of
tangible personal property to which the extended warranty applies, and
includes installation, storage, withdrawal from storage, distribution,
or any other act preparatory to subsequent actual use or consumption of
the article within this state; and
(d) With respect to natural gas or manufactured gas, the use of
which is taxable under RCW 82.12.022, including gas that is also
taxable under the authority of RCW 82.14.230, the first act within this
state by which the taxpayer consumes the gas by burning the gas or
storing the gas in the taxpayer's own facilities for later consumption
by the taxpayer;
(6) "Taxpayer" and "purchaser" include all persons included within
the meaning of the word "buyer" and the word "consumer" as defined in
chapters 82.04 and 82.08 RCW;
(7)(a)(i) Except as provided in (a)(ii) of this subsection (7),
"retailer" means every seller as defined in RCW 82.08.010 and every
person engaged in the business of selling tangible personal property at
retail and every person required to collect from purchasers the tax
imposed under this chapter.
(ii) "Retailer" does not include a professional employer
organization when a covered employee coemployed with the client under
the terms of a professional employer agreement engages in activities
that constitute a sale of tangible personal property, extended
warranty, or a sale of any service defined as a retail sale in RCW
82.04.050 (2)(a) or (3)(a) that is subject to the tax imposed by this
chapter. In such cases, the client, and not the professional employer
organization, is deemed to be the retailer and is responsible for
collecting and remitting the tax imposed by this chapter.
(b) For the purposes of (a) of this subsection, the terms "client,"
"covered employee," "professional employer agreement," and
"professional employer organization" have the same meanings as in RCW
82.04.540;
(8) "Extended warranty" has the same meaning as in RCW
82.04.050(7);
(9) The meaning ascribed to words and phrases in chapters 82.04 and
82.08 RCW, insofar as applicable, shall have full force and effect with
respect to taxes imposed under the provisions of this chapter.
"Consumer," in addition to the meaning ascribed to it in chapters 82.04
and 82.08 RCW insofar as applicable, shall also mean any person who
distributes or displays, or causes to be distributed or displayed, any
article of tangible personal property, except newspapers, the primary
purpose of which is to promote the sale of products or services. With
respect to property distributed to persons within this state by a
consumer as defined in this subsection (9), the use of the property
shall be deemed to be by such consumer.
Sec. 16 RCW 82.46.035 and 1992 c 221 s 3 and 1991 sp.s c 32 s 33
are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
(1) The legislative authority of any county or city shall identify
in the adopted budget the capital projects and park maintenance and
operation expenditures, or both, funded in whole or in part from the
proceeds of the tax authorized in this section((, and shall indicate
that such tax is intended to be in addition to other funds that may be
reasonably available for such capital projects)).
(2) The legislative authority of any county or any city that plans
under RCW 36.70A.040(1) may impose an additional excise tax on each
sale of real property in the unincorporated areas of the county for the
county tax and in the corporate limits of the city for the city tax at
a rate not exceeding one-quarter of one percent of the selling price.
Any county choosing to plan under RCW 36.70A.040(2) and any city within
such a county may only adopt an ordinance imposing the excise tax
authorized by this section if the ordinance is first authorized by a
proposition approved by a majority of the voters of the taxing district
voting on the proposition at a general election held within the
district or at a special election within the taxing district called by
the district for the purpose of submitting such proposition to the
voters.
(3)(a) Revenues generated from the tax imposed under subsection (2)
of this section shall be used by such counties and cities ((solely))
for financing capital projects specified in a capital facilities plan
element of a comprehensive plan, and, until January 1, 2014, at the
option of the city or county, park maintenance and operation
expenditures. Only cities with a population less than fifty thousand
and counties with a population less than two hundred fifty thousand may
use revenues for park maintenance and operation expenditures. However,
revenues (((a))) (i) pledged by such counties and cities to debt
retirement prior to March 1, 1992, may continue to be used for that
purpose until the original debt for which the revenues were pledged is
retired, or (((b))) (ii) committed prior to March 1, 1992, by such
counties or cities to a project may continue to be used for that
purpose until the project is completed.
(b) Counties, cities, and towns using revenues generated by the tax
imposed under this section for park maintenance and operation
expenditures may not use these revenues for the acquisition of capital
projects specified in a capital facilities plan element of a
comprehensive plan. This subsection (3)(b) does not apply to capital
projects that are necessary for the health and safety of residents
within the county, city, or town imposing the tax.
(4) Revenues generated by the tax imposed by this section shall be
deposited in a separate account.
(5) As used in this section, "city" means any city or town and
"capital project" means, except as provided by subsection (3) of this
section, those public works projects of a local government for
planning, acquisition, construction, reconstruction, repair,
replacement, rehabilitation, or improvement of streets, roads,
highways, sidewalks, street and road lighting systems, traffic signals,
bridges, domestic water systems, storm and sanitary sewer systems((,
and planning, construction, reconstruction, repair, rehabilitation, or
improvement of parks)) parks, recreational facilities, law enforcement
facilities, fire protection facilities, trails, libraries,
administrative and/or judicial facilities, and river and water flood
control facilities. "Capital projects" after December 31, 2013,
include expenditures for the planning, construction, reconstruction,
repair, rehabilitation, or improvement of parks. "Capital projects"
after December 31, 2013, do not include expenditures for the planning,
acquisition, construction, reconstruction, repair, replacement,
rehabilitation, or improvement of recreational facilities, law
enforcement facilities, fire protection facilities, trails, libraries,
administrative facilities, judicial facilities, and river and water
flood control facilities.
(6) When the governor files a notice of noncompliance under RCW
36.70A.340 with the secretary of state and the appropriate county or
city, the county or city's authority to impose the additional excise
tax under this section shall be temporarily rescinded until the
governor files a subsequent notice rescinding the notice of
noncompliance.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 17 By December 1, 2013, the Washington state
association of counties and the association of Washington cities shall
provide a report to the legislature on the following:
(1) The number of cities and counties using tax revenue under RCW
82.46.035 for park maintenance and operation expenditures;
(2) The amount of tax revenue under RCW 82.46.035 dedicated by
cities and counties for park maintenance and operation expenditures;
and
(3) The tax collections and population growth for calendar years
2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 for cities and counties using tax revenue
under RCW 82.46.035 for park maintenance and operation expenditures.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 18 Sections 4 and 5 of this act constitute a
new chapter in Title
NEW SECTION. Sec. 19 Sections 1 and 2 of this act expire January
1, 2015."
Correct the title.