HOUSE BILL REPORT

HJR 4222

BYRepresentatives Holland, Appelwick, Taylor, Grimm, Silver, Braddock, Fuhrman, Bristow, Nealey, Valle, Padden, Brough, McLean, Basich, Schoon, H. Sommers, Winsley, May, B. Williams, Butterfield, Beck, Ballard, Lewis, J. Williams, Amondson, Sanders, Kremen, Betrozoff, Miller, Hine, Holm and Cooper

Increasing the head of family personal property tax exemption.

House Committe on Ways & Means/Revenue

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (9)

      Signed by Representatives Appelwick, Chair; Basich, Dellwo, Holland, Rust, Schoon, Taylor, Valle and Winsley.

House Staff:Rick Wickman (786-7136)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 15, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Article VII, Section 1 of the state constitution provides a personal property tax exemption of $300 for each household.  The constitutional provision grants authority to the Legislature to exempt personal property to the amount of $300.

The $300 exemption was approved in 1900.

SUMMARY:

The proposed constitutional amendment grants authority to the Legislature to increase the personal property tax exemption from $300 to $3,000.

Revenue:    The bill has a revenue impact.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Ray Ryan, Cowlitz County Assessor.

House Committee - Testified Against:      Meta Heller, Tax Facts.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Article VII, Section 1 of the constitution should be altered to increase the level of personal property tax exemption authorized by the Legislature from $300 to $3,000.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      There should be no exemption for personal property taxes as all property, real and personal should be treated the same.