From the Director: Session Ends – Good Year for Cities

A very hectic long session but also very productive for cities. While there were a few damaging bills, there were far more positive pieces of legislation. Here is a quick outline of some of the top beneficial bills:

• Streamlined Sales Tax (SST) (SSB 5089) – Conforms Washington’s sales and use tax structure with the national agreement and provides full mitigation.

• Transportation Benefit Districts (ESHB 1858) – Allows cities to impose a $20 vehicle fee via council decision for transportation purposes.

• Local Infrastructure Financing Tool (LIFT) (2SHB 1277) – Provides limited expansion of the competitive local infrastructure financing tool.

• Offender Supervision (SHB 1669) – Establishes a gross negligence standard of liability for offender supervision.

• Offender Medical Costs (E2SSB 5930) – Allocates offender medical costs to the prosecuting agency.

• Puget Sound Partnership (ESSB 5372) – Addresses the health of the Puget Sound.

• Multi-Family Housing Abatement Program (E2SHB 1910) – Expands the multi-family housing property tax abatement program to a greater number of cities.

• Alternative Public Works (2SHB 1506) – Expands the use of alternative public works contracting procedures to a greater number of cities.

• Scrap Metal (ESSB 5312) – Addresses the problem of stolen metal property.

• Hotel/Motel Tax Uses (SSB 5647) – Clarifies the uses of the hotel/motel tax proceeds regarding festivals, special events and facility partnerships with non-profit organizations.

AWC is very appreciative of the Legislature’s work this year to address these issues and a host of others. We owe thanks to Speaker Frank Chopp (D-Seattle), House Minority Leader Richard DeBolt (R-Chehalis), Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown (D-Spokane), and Senate Minority Leader Mike Hewitt (R-Walla Walla). We would also like to thank Governor Gregoire for her work and leadership. She was instrumental in securing passage of a number of AWC priorities including the SST bill.

Finally, a special thanks to our city officials for their work. We know many of you made regular contacts throughout the session. These calls, letters and emails did make a difference and we thank you for your help. We are not done yet. Please note the requests in this Bulletin to contact the Governor seeking her support of specific bills.

Please watch for our final Bulletin in early June outlining action by both the Legislature and Governor.

Thanks again for your help!! We hope to see you in Tacoma June 12-15 during AWC’s Annual Conference.

[ previous article ] [ return to top ] [ next article ]