by
<a href="mailto:carls@awcnet.org">Carl Schroeder</a>, <a href="mailto:shannonm@awcnet.org">Shannon McClelland</a> | Feb 28, 2020
<a target="_blank" href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1590&Initiative=false&Year=2019" target="_blank"><strong>HB 1590</strong></a> would make the current voter-approved, sales-tax-based affordable housing levy a councilmanic option.
HB 1590 would make the current voter-approved, sales-tax-based affordable housing levy a councilmanic option. The bill was introduced last session and is sponsored by Rep. Beth Doglio (D–Olympia).
Amendments in committee changed the bill to do the following:
- Allows a county legislative authority to impose a sales and use tax for affordable housing by councilmanic action.
- Allows a city legislative authority in a county that has not imposed the full tax rate by September 30, 2020 to impose the remainder of the tax either by ballot proposition or by councilmanic action.
- Provides that King County may impose the full taxing authority under this bill only if it plans to spend at least 30% of the revenue attributable to taxable activities or events within any city with a population greater than 60,000.
Contact your senators and ask that they pass this important tool.