Washington Business 2019 Legislative Review & Vote Record | Page 33

issue area reports | taxation Rep. Jacquelin Maycumber, R-Republic, and Rep. Mike Chapman, D-Port Angeles, were bipartisan sponsors of HB 1348 ,which would have given B&O tax relief to manufacturers. volume threshold. The bill also made changes to a B&O and sales tax exemption for goods in import commerce that AWB initially opposed until amendments were made. AW B wa s neut ra l on t he f ina l version of the bill. ESSB 5313 local levy authority Passed/AWB Neutral There was a levy swap in the McCleary K-12 funding fix in 2017 whereby the state property tax levy increase in exchange for delayed implementation of a cap to local Bill considered as part of AWB’s voting record school operations and maintenance levies to the lesser of $2,500 per pupil or $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. With Democrats having taken majority control in the Senate, there was a push to repeal the local levy cap. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5313, sponsored by Sen. Lisa Wellman, D-Mercer Island, increased the taxing authority of local school districts to raise property taxes to $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed value or $2,500 per pupil in districts with fewer than 40,000 full time students, and the lesser of $2.50 or $3,000 per pupil for school districts with 40,000 students or more. AWB did not take an advocacy position on this bill. Favorable outcome for Washington businesses SHB 1348 manufacturing tax fairness Failed/AWB Supported AW B supported Substitute House Bill 1348, with bipartisan sponsorship from Rep. Mike Chapman, D-Port Angeles, and Rep. Jacquelin Maycumber, R-Republic, which would have lowered the B&O tax rate for manufacturing by 40 percent to be on par with aerospace. The bill passed 15-0 out of House Rural Development Ag riculture & Natural Resources, but failed to receive a public hearing from the Finance Committee. Missed Opportunities special edition 2019 31