Bill > HB2258

This bill authorizes cities and counties to implement a household excise tax, which is a tax levied on households, to fund animal control and shelter systems. This tax can be used for the daily operation, ongoing upkeep, and significant improvements or construction (capital needs) of these systems, whether they are directly owned by the city or county, contracted out, or managed by an animal service provider organization. The bill acknowledges that existing funding sources like general funds and licensing fees are often insufficient to meet the demands of these services. Cities can impose this tax within their limits, and counties can do so in their unincorporated areas. Before enacting the tax, local governments can choose to put it to a vote. If a tax is enacted, citizens have a specific process to petition for a referendum to repeal it, requiring a significant number of signatures from registered voters. The tax is capped at $2.50 per household unit per month for the first five years, after which the rate can be adjusted annually by up to 2% or the rate of inflation, whichever is less, if additional revenue is deemed necessary. The revenue generated must be exclusively used for the specified purposes related to animal control and shelter systems. The bill defines "dwelling unit" as a place with living, cooking, sleeping, and sanitary facilities, and "parcel" as a contiguous piece of land under the same ownership. This new law will take effect on January 1, 2027, and will be added as a new chapter to Title 82 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), which is the section of state law dealing with taxation.

Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2258&Year=2025&Initiative=false