Bill > SB5775

This bill expands local taxing authority for counties and cities to fund public safety and community protection programs. Under the legislation, counties may now impose a sales and use tax of up to 0.3 percent, with two key implementation options: submitting the tax to voter approval or, if implemented by January 1, 2028, adopting the tax by ordinance without voter approval. Similarly, cities can impose a sales and use tax up to 0.1 percent, with a provision allowing cities to impose up to 0.3 percent if the county has not done so by July 1, 2026. The combined county and city tax rate cannot exceed 0.3 percent. The bill requires that if the tax is voter-approved, one-third of the revenue must be used for criminal justice, fire protection, community protection, or public safety purposes, which now explicitly include behavioral health, co-responder, and diversion treatment programs. If the tax is imposed without voter approval, all revenue must be used for these purposes. The legislation also specifies how tax revenues will be distributed between counties and cities, with counties retaining 60 percent and cities receiving 40 percent on a per capita basis, and includes exemptions for motor vehicle sales and leases. The bill amends existing laws to provide more flexibility and clarity around local sales and use tax implementation for public safety funding.

Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5775&Year=2025&Initiative=false