Bill > HB1397

This bill modifies local property tax levy requirements for two specific purposes: supporting services for persons with developmental disabilities or mental health needs, and creating veterans' assistance funds. For developmental disabilities services, counties are now required to levy a tax of 2.5 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, which will be fully deducted from the state property tax levy at no cost to the county. Similarly, for veterans' assistance, counties must now levy between 1.8 and 27 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, which will also be deducted from the state property tax levy. In both cases, the levied funds can be used for specific purposes such as community services, veterans' assistance programs, and administrative costs. The bill removes previous complicated provisions about how these levies could be adjusted based on changes in county tax certifications, effectively simplifying the levy process. The bill includes an emergency clause and is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, indicating its importance for immediate public service support.

Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1397&Year=2025&Initiative=false