The House voted on final passage of EHB 2005 last week, and it is headed to the Governor for signature.
The final passed version of the bill:
- Requires cities to partner with the state’s business licensing system in the next five years, if funding is appropriated. The timeline is phased in over 10 years if funding is not provided;
- Provides an exemption for cities to choose FileLocal as an alternative for business license administration through 2020;
- Allows the Department of Revenue to grant up to a three-year delay for a city based on a fiscal or technical hardship;
- Requires cities to develop and implement by January 1, 2019, a model licensing ordinance that includes a minimum threshold; and
- Creates a work group on apportionment of service income under RCW 35.102.130 staffed by the Department of Revenue that will make recommendations by October 31, 2018.
Watch for further communications regarding these projects and task forces in future Legislative Bulletins and training sessions at events such as the AWC Annual Conference.