Key Issues in This Week's Bulletin

ACTION ITEM: Offender Medical Costs (HB 2950)

This legislation would add extraordinary medical costs for county and city jail inmates to the list of eligible expenses that may be reimbursed through the current extraordinary criminal justice account. AWC strongly supports this bill, which must be approved by the House Appropriations Committee by February 7. Please contact members of the House Appropriations Committee and ask them to advance HB 2950. See the Law & Justice section.

ACTION ITEM: Local Infrastructure Financing Tools (SHB 2673)

This bill was heard by the House Finance Committee on the evening of Thursday, February 2. The bill would finance infrastructure improvements associated with six economic development projects. AWC believes six successful projects may lead to future expansion of this increment financing tool to additional jurisdictions, and we will work to ensure the bill is approved by the Committee by February 7. Please contact members of the House Finance Committee and ask them to pass SHB 2673. See the Municipal Finance section.

ACTION ITEM - Unfunded Mandate and Loss of Local Zoning Control (SHB 2217)

This bill has been approved by the House Local Government Committee and awaits action by the House Appropriations Committee. AWC strongly opposes this bill, because it would impose new expensive data gathering and analysis requirements upon cities planning under GMA and would give counties more authority over local zoning decisions associated with residential growth. Please contact your House members and express your opposition to SHB 2217. See the Land Use section.

Streamlined Sales Tax (SSB 6594/HB 2806)

No further action has taken place on this issue. See the Municipal Finance section.

Multi-Family Housing Property Tax Exemption (SB 6588, SB 6626, HB 1742)

The Senate Financial Institutions, Housing & Consumer Protection Committee passed SB 6588 out of committee on February 1. See the Municipal Finance section.

Sales Tax & Levy Lid Lift Flexibility (HB 2988/SB 6789, 2SSB 5333)

These bills securing flexibility on the local 0.3% voter approved sales tax and six-year voter approved property tax levy lid lift authority have advanced. See the Municipal Finance section.

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