AWC Legislative Bulletin - Volume 29, No. 6
February 10, 2006
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In this issue:
From the Director: Property Rights Initiative Filed
Key Issues in This Week's Bulletin
2006 AWC Legislative Priorities
Customized Bill Tracking – A Suggestion from AWC President Pam Carter
Energy & Telecommunications
Environment & Water
General Local Government
Land Use & Housing
Law & Justice
Municipal Finance & Economic Development
Personnel & Labor Relations
Transportation & Infrastructure
Key Issues in This Week's Bulletin
ACTION ITEM: Streamlined Sales Tax (SSB 6594)
SSB 6594 is scheduled for a hearing in the House Finance Committee on Wednesday, February 15, at 1:30 pm. In addition to direct contact, cities are encouraged to reach out to their local businesses and chambers of commerce to have them contact House members in support of the bill. See the Municipal Finance section.
ACTION ITEM: Farm Equipment (SHB 2457)
Cities should contact their House members immediately to express opposition to SHB 2457, which would exempt replacement parts for farm machinery and equipment from sales tax, and could have significant impacts on the revenues of cities in agricultural communities. This bill is on the House Calendar and may be acted upon at any time. See the Municipal Finance section.
ACTION ITEM: Sales Tax & Levy Lid Lift Flexibility (HB 2988, SSB 6789, 2SSB 5333)
HB 2988 and SSB 6789 address flexibility on the 0.3% voter approved sales tax authority. Both bills have been approved by the respective fiscal committee and sit in the respective rules committee. 2SSB 5333, regarding the six-year voter approved property tax levy lid lift authority, passed out of the Senate Ways & Means Committee on February 7. Contact your House and Senate members to ask that they advance these bills. See the Municipal Finance section.
ACTION ITEM: Election of Judges (SB 6342)
Please contact your senators and ask them to oppose SB 6432, which would require all judges to be elected. See the Law and Justice section for more information.
GMA Update Relief for Smaller, Slower Growing Cities and Towns (SHB 2814, SSB 6427)
Both bills provide extra time for slower growing and smaller cities to update local GMA comprehensive plans and development regulations. See the Land Use and Housing section for more information.
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