Key Parlette property tax bill, young drivers bill pass House of Representatives

April 8, 2009

OLYMPIA…A key property tax bill co-sponsored by Sen. Linda Evans Parlette, R-Wenatchee, passed the House of Representatives today. Senate Bill 5368 has now passed the Senate and the House of Representatives. Because the House made a slight change to the bill the Senate must concur with that change before the measure can go to the governor for her consideration to sign into law.  

Under the bill, counties would be required to perform annual property tax revaluations starting in 2014. The bill would continue a $5 fee on real estate transactions (currently set to expire in 2010) to help counties convert to the new reassessment schedule.  

“When counties revalue property on an annual basis it avoids huge property tax spikes and keeps property owners from paying higher property taxes for years on property that has declined in value,” said Parlette. “Moving to an annual revaluation schedule will help avoid these spikes and smooth things out for property owners.  

“Property taxes are a major concern for people across Washington, especially in the 12th District,” continued Parlette. “I’ve been working on this issue for several years and it’s nice to have one of the key bills I co-sponsored on this issue moving through the legislative process.”  

Substitute Senate Bill 5469, another Parlette-sponsored bill, also passed the House of Representatives today. Under the measure, a young driver with an intermediate drivers’ license would not be put on probation if he or she is involved in an accident, a ticket was issued and the accident was not the fault of the young driver. The measure, which came out of the House unanimously, now goes to the governor for her consideration. 

“I introduced this bill at the request of some constituents,” said Parlette. “Since then I’ve been hearing from people all over Washington whose children have been negatively affected by the law as it stands today. My bill will set fair standards for our young people. I am excited to see that it’s on its way to becoming law.”