BILL REQ. #:  S-0535.1 

Read first time 01/28/13.   Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

     AN ACT Relating to a sales and use tax exemption for restaurants in respect to certain items that impart flavor to food during the cooking process; adding a new section to chapter 82.08 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 82.12 RCW; and providing an effective date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 82.08 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the tax levied by RCW 82.08.020 does not apply to sales to restaurants of products that impart flavor to food during the cooking process and that:
     (a) Are completely or substantially consumed by combustion during the cooking process, such as wood chips, charcoal, charcoal briquettes, and grape vines; or
     (b) Support the food during the cooking process and are comprised entirely of wood, such as cedar grilling planks.
     (2) The exemption provided by this section does not apply to any type of gas fuel.
     (3) Sellers making tax-exempt sales under this section must obtain an exemption certificate from the buyer in a form and manner prescribed by the department. The seller must retain a copy of the exemption certificate for the seller's files. In lieu of an exemption certificate, a seller may capture the relevant data elements as allowed under the streamlined sales and use tax agreement.
     (4) For purposes of this subsection, "restaurant" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 82.08.9995.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 82.12 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the provisions of this chapter do not apply to restaurants with respect to the use of products that impart flavor to food during the cooking process and that:
     (a) Are completely or substantially consumed by combustion during the cooking process, such as wood chips, charcoal, charcoal briquettes, and grape vines; or
     (b) Support the food during the cooking process and are comprised entirely of wood, such as cedar grilling planks.
     (2) The exemption provided by this section does not apply to any type of gas fuel.
     (3) For purposes of this subsection, "restaurant" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 82.08.9995.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   This act takes effect August 1, 2013.