Bill > HB2297

This bill aims to incentivize grocery stores in underserved communities by offering various tax benefits and exemptions. It establishes "underserved community zones" based on criteria like low income, health disadvantages, and limited access to food, allowing local governments to designate these areas. Grocery stores within these zones can qualify for property tax exemptions for up to 30 years on existing, rehabilitated, or newly constructed buildings, excluding the land value. Additionally, the bill provides a business and occupation tax credit for grocery stores in these zones, capped annually, and exempts certain types of grocery stores (consumer-owned, cultural, employee-owned, locally owned, or union-represented) from specific business taxes. The legislation also includes provisions for sales and use tax remittances on investigation and security services for grocery stores in these zones, and it sets an expiration date of January 1, 2037, for most of these provisions.

Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2297&Year=2025&Initiative=false