[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6116377,"mediaKeyId","2733000-866e79b326915a439ebc16527e06163b","parentId",2733000,"title","House Finance hears wide-ranging testimony on bill directing a study of Washington’s alcohol tax system","audioSeconds",256,"startMs",1361350,"endMs",1618345,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2733000-866e79b326915a439ebc16527e06163b&start=1361&end=1618","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2733000-866e79b326915a439ebc16527e06163b/thumbnail_1361350.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6116377/Washington/House-Finance-hears-wide-ranging-testimony-on-bill-directing-a-study-of-Washingtons-alcohol-tax-system","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116377-7e90719949b1166e1b691c90f8b57bbd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165833&Signature=kvPd2GY1k0-1zOF9oYwC0dBcTAK6-jk7~tZoNYKA88c79OS37MXP~3MPPlm4PgoXuvfgSqi3HFNyDm0PC1uRXC0jZOAmGb~XSC8MNmd9B-8IjFu5c8juMVscz9KPuV2q7sAWdBlJswwtjkAW-jHJvDUZUT~BaG8hn9qxfTLjqOvUB6SEYrXGEVjUmJlRkxUbugZHgirtlcB5OE6gv4RYh9xmBpGubHXA6-TtK2LP9ScAZkLlaP9irow6ByzcVw-3qD-ZSKkCIh2J-SRWzy9YSYl9r-OCsARU2EEMAAdHuU8hhKNhxHuPfyT2tme8-d6C5GpjEH2LpL0l-wWb7v~8uQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Finance","date","2025-03-21T00:00:00Z","article","Rochelle Harris and staff summarized Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5368, which directs a state research institution to study Washington’s system of alcohol taxation and produce a report by June 30, 2026. The bill asks for current and historical tax and fee rates, state sales and per‑capita measures, revenues by tax/fee type for the last five years, comparisons to other states and countries, and an analysis of a model in which tax rates are based solely on alcohol content (including estimated transition and administration costs and revenue-neutral rate estimates). The briefing noted the Washington State Department of Revenue and the Liquor and Cannabis Board would provide data; a fiscal note is available.

Representative Springer, the bill’s House sponsor, told the committee the measure responds to a long-standing legislative discussion over the disparate tax treatment of products that have similar alcohol content but fall into different categories (beer, wine, spirits). He said the study will “ferret out the data we need to make decisions,” not itself change tax law.

Supporters from distributors and retailers told the committee the market has changed since current taxes were set and that products now blur traditional category lines. Vicky Kristofferson of the Association of Washington Spirits and Wine Distributors said examples include spirit‑like products sold under malt or wine tax classifications and low‑alcohol spirits products that look more like beer. “So beer is taxed at 26¢ a gallon, wine at 84¢ a gallon, and spirits at $24 a gallon,” Kristofferson said, arguing the study would provide information to consider modernizing the system. Southern Glazer representatives and convenience-grocer advocates likewise urged a study, saying consumer choices and product innovation create complexities the current tax code does not reflect.

Trade groups opposed or urged caution. The Washington Wine Institute’s Josh McDonald and the Washington Brewers Guild’s Daniel Olson objected to the study, raising concerns it could lead to changes that disadvantage Washington wineries and small breweries. McDonald said Washington already has one of the highest wine tax rates in competing states and asked that any review look farther back than five years (to include privatization and pandemic effects). Daniel Olson said small craft breweries are under pressure from declining beer sales, tariffs and rising costs and warned a restructured system could harm local producers.

Staff provided cost estimates during the hearing: roughly $171,000 for the study by the research institute and an estimated $60,000 for DOR participation. Committee members asked whether the study would include data on consumption responses to tax changes and whether a revenue-neutral redesign could avoid imposing large increases on beer and wine; sponsors and supporters said the study’s purpose is to provide lawmakers the information needed to answer those questions. Representative Raimel emphasized the bill requests information and that any policy change would still be made by the Legislature.

After a lengthy panel of in-person and remote witnesses, the committee closed the public hearing on SB 5368; no vote was taken during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Finance - 3/21/2025 1:30 PM","oneSentenceSummary","A bill directing a Washington State Institute of Public Policy study of alcohol taxation drew support from distributors and retailers and opposition from wine and brewery trade groups concerned about industry impacts and study scope and cost.","taxTitle","Finance, House of Representatives, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20261,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6116382,"Committee hears bill to expand nonprofit community-center property tax exemption to surplus university property",544,475460,1020345,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2733000-866e79b326915a439ebc16527e06163b&start=475&end=1020","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2733000-866e79b326915a439ebc16527e06163b/thumbnail_475460.jpg","/articles/6116382/Washington/Committee-hears-bill-to-expand-nonprofit-community-center-property-tax-exemption-to-surplus-university-property","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116382-7069aa1f5f1ea50bee26da1a7f71a056/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165833&Signature=AVKCjg9x~JPRkIiXIUOpUeSVb1nlKtHidKMBhsUxnHn2fg~j5P6U5sluP-G1mW34~rAZw34mjSZp5Oa643k0LlT-fuqlgeikJuN3QTx2If5kROmjd~YzWZYUHGQW4zR91XCzGC-sZryCpZbNnmc1NcZRnldhmET-XL4Q-j4CDXAH-YmaIH2QZo38A1Cfh77a1QpHZik-lJG6N~cJQpeBrUNbraiQNd1a4rTF-HyZ-N4TBCDVGG89Rru5-BoQsEqglPkIeRYseI0OKTkSckv-GGLXf4uGjfRPq5p8gEq3QMNFkCSU3BsdxOHNgYaV4oNGPxm4cOxBdQ2fYx~ILqZvEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Christina King, staff to the House Finance Committee, briefed members on Senate Bill 5516, which would expand an existing property-tax exemption for community centers so it covers surplus buildings and property acquired from a nonprofit university (an institution already exempt from property tax) when the purchaser is a nonprofit organization converting the property to a community center.

Under current law, the exemption applies when a local school board declares property surplus and the property is sold to a nonprofit that converts it to a community center; the bill would add similar coverage for surplus property acquired from qualifying nonprofit universities. King said the expansion would apply to property taxes due for calendar year 2026 through 2035, include an exemption from a tax preference performance statement (JLARC) review and carry a minimal, indeterminate local shift in property taxes; a fiscal note is available.

Wendy Freeman, speaking for the Parkland Community Center, described a recent purchase and local operations. “The school was acquired from Pacific Lutheran University by Parkland Community Association in May of 2024 with the approval of their board of regents,” Freeman said. She told the committee the center houses multiple nonprofit programs and services, and that it served as an emergency warming center this winter: “We served as an emergency warming center for 27 days this winter. We had unique individuals, 367 people were in the warming center, 37 of those people were children. At the height of our emergency warming center, we had 97 individuals.”

Phil Edlund, project consultant for the Save Parkland School initiative, told the committee the property’s current annual property tax bill is about $40,000 and that paying that amount would take an estimated 30 to 40 percent of the community center’s rental revenue. Edlund said the building has not been on the tax rolls since it opened as a school in 1908; that changed after the nonprofit purchase from the university and an application for exemption was denied by the state auditor’s office because the prior owner was a university rather than a school district.

Members asked questions about whether other statutory exemptions (for assembly halls or meeting places) could apply. Representative Jacobson and others asked staff whether different nonprofit-owned properties can already qualify; King said not all nonprofit-owned property qualifies for exemption and that the bill addresses this specific purchase-from-university scenario. Committee members and testifiers discussed whether the nonprofit’s activities or the ownership history determine eligibility; staff said the bill’s language was drafted to extend the surplus-school-district exemption framework to surplus nonprofit university acquisitions.

The committee closed the hearing after testimony; staff said they would follow up with additional information requested by members.","Legislation to extend an existing community-center property-tax exemption to nonprofit organizations that acquire surplus property from nonprofit universities drew testimony from Parkland organizers who say the change would help preserve a community-run center that hosted an emergency warming shelter.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6116387,"House Finance committee hears bill to let Pierce County, Tacoma offer ADU property-tax exemption for low-income rentals",429,20615,450290,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2733000-866e79b326915a439ebc16527e06163b&start=20&end=450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2733000-866e79b326915a439ebc16527e06163b/thumbnail_20615.jpg","/articles/6116387/Washington/House-Finance-committee-hears-bill-to-let-Pierce-County-Tacoma-offer-ADU-property-tax-exemption-for-low-income-rentals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116387-f424c9fb3e4df3f3aa40e6488433d0ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165833&Signature=FOgTfSnfrypwZVDSAB8840lrnfCVpLZLvW0kIfpro65rZ-HTmghjn~4bC5HsRJ~S2XzSsMS~fWTszT4x4aPMtj1G3O~TfdIKhW-LbPQtPaIq8ZLQYjQXEsOTu3REGjYRT9uGfCAMfzIQKUPa-JvQnIp6d7d13EQhgRBAmAi0lQOZrtDq4qpY-hkDQ-CJjA04XUBTPgnQGDh-DaT9lmkWJBbN4VGHsjl~Yn6CDg6rhm4iLyCq6OMCd9tag47mCw0kBea5ZUY9NF2ROIhQ40nY6LKE7F04xLLMhAuA5Hg1w~umk-~iNWGn75dGhZ28-UupLs5mtZtjRSviTmRNAKkgAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tracy Taylor, staff to the House Finance Committee, briefed members on Senate Bill 5529, saying the bill would expand an existing property-tax exemption for accessory dwelling units to cities or counties located in a county with a population of at least 90,000 but not more than 1,500,000.

The bill would allow a city or county legislative authority to exempt an ADU from property tax if the unit is detached and rented to low-income households (tenant adjusted income at or below 60 percent of county median household income) with rent not exceeding 30 percent of the tenant’s monthly income. Taylor said applicants must apply annually and provide an affidavit, documentation of tenant income and a lease of at least 12 months. She summarized implementation details: “the county assessors may collect a fee from the taxpayer in an amount necessary to cover the cost administering this exemption,” and assessors “may determine what the property taxes and penalties would be, if any, in the case that the enacting legislative authority finds noncompliance.”

Brianna Murray, testifying on behalf of the City of Tacoma, said the bill is aimed at expanding a policy that was implemented in King County. “The legislature approved this property tax exemption for ADUs rented at affordable rates, for King County several years ago,” Murray said. She said Pierce County and the City of Tacoma worked with the Pierce County assessor’s office on implementation and that adding Pierce County will provide more data to evaluate whether the exemption increases the number of ADUs rented at affordable rates.

Members asked staff and the testifier implementation questions. Representative Santos asked how many jurisdictions would qualify under the new population threshold; Taylor said the fiscal note and analysis did not provide a count and suggested advocates might be able to answer. Representative Orcutt and others asked whether the exemption would apply to units in cities within Pierce County or only to unincorporated areas; Murray responded that implementation would be up to each jurisdiction and could be limited by ordinance (for example, Tacoma could adopt it just for the city).

Committee members also raised technical implementation points. Murray and staff noted a minor clarifying amendment was needed to make clear the exemption runs only for the length of the qualifying lease, and staff said the bill’s language does not specify how prorating would work if a lease ended midyear; the assessor “may determine what property taxes and penalties would be due, if any, if they find noncompliance,” Taylor said. Taylor summarized fiscal and timing items: the bill would apply to taxes levied for collection in calendar year 2026 and thereafter and would expire on January 1, 2034; the effective date would be 90 days after adjournment of the session. Taylor also said the Department of Revenue expects few ADUs would qualify and therefore the total exempted value would be small.

No vote occurred; the committee closed the public hearing and moved on to other bills.","A bill that would expand an existing accessory dwelling unit (ADU) property-tax exemption beyond King County to a second county drew brief testimony and technical questions in the House Finance Committee on March 21.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House Finance hears wide-ranging testimony on bill directing a study of Washington’s alcohol tax system

Committee hears bill to expand nonprofit community-center property tax exemption to surplus university property

House Finance committee hears bill to let Pierce County, Tacoma offer ADU property-tax exemption for low-income rentals