Bill > HB1044

This bill addresses county administrative fees related to the Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) by increasing the fee from $5 to $20 per transaction and creating dedicated administrative assistance funds for county assessors and treasurers. The legislature recognizes the critical roles of county assessors in property valuation and county treasurers in tax collection, and aims to provide financial support for these offices. Under the new law, the $20 fee will be split, with 65% going to the county assessor administrative assistance fund and 35% going to the county treasurer administrative assistance fund. The fee will be automatically adjusted every four years based on the consumer price index for shelter, with updates published by September 1st of the adjustment year and implemented the following January. These new funds can only be used for the statutory obligations of each respective office, and the county assessor or treasurer will have sole authorization to expend funds from their designated account. The administrative assistance funds are not subject to county legislative authority appropriation or budgeting processes, providing more direct financial support. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, giving counties time to prepare for the new fee structure and fund management requirements.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1044&Year=2025&Initiative=false