Sen. Marko Liias (D–Lynnwood) sponsored SB 5680 as a companion bill to HB 1371. The two bills allow legislative authorities in a city, county, or existing park district to create park benefit districts (PBD).

The bill would allow for a voter-approved increase of sales and use tax, not to exceed one-tenth of one percent. The funds would be used to acquire, construct, improve, and maintain parks in the PBD.

The bill also allows PBD’s to implement special assessments which are similar to local improvement district assessments under RCW 35.43.

HB 1371 was passed out of committee with a “do pass” recommendation as a substitute bill on February 6. The substitute bill:

• Reduces the maximum term of bonds;
• Eliminates the park impact fees on commercial buildings;
• Requires cities to implement impact fees instead of the district;
• Requires interlocal agreements for imposing the impact fee;
• Prevents residents assessed impact fees from also being charged assessment fees; and
• Clarifies the collection of sales and use tax when more than one jurisdiction can collect the tax on a specific park.

Dates to remember

SB 5680 is scheduled for a hearing on Thursday, February 14 at 8 am before the Senate Local Government Committee.