Authorizing counties to impose a public utility tax.

 H-1731.1

SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1702

State of Washington

69th Legislature

2025 Regular Session

By House Finance (originally sponsored by Representatives Wylie, Fitzgibbon, and Pollet)

READ FIRST TIME 02/28/25.

AN ACT Relating to authorizing counties to impose a public utility tax; and adding a new chapter to Title 36 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) Subject to the conditions and requirements of this section, the legislative authority of any county may impose an excise tax on the privilege of engaging in business as a utility. The tax is equal to the gross income of the utility derived from providing service to consumers within the unincorporated areas of the county multiplied by the rate imposed by the legislative authority.

(2) A county may not impose a rate of tax that exceeds three percent.