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HB1480 • 2026
Allowing all counties to impose a real estate excise tax for the purpose of developing affordable housing, subject to the will of the voters.
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.
Affordable housing REET
By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
Affordable housing REET
AN ACT Relating to allowing all counties to impose a real estate 1 excise tax for the purpose of developing affordable housing, subject 2 to the will of the voters; and amending RCW 82.46.075.3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4 Sec. 1. RCW 82.46.075 and 2002 c 343 s 1 are each amended to 5 read as follows: 6 (1) Subject to subsection ((s)) (4) ((and (5))) of this section, 7 the legislative authority of any county may impose an additional 8 excise tax on the purchase and sale of real property in the county at 9 the rate of ((one-half of one)) 0.5 percent of the selling price. The 10 proceeds of the tax shall be used exclusively for the development of 11 affordable housing including acquisition, building, rehabilitation, 12 and maintenance and operation of housing for very low, low, and 13 moderate-income persons and those with special needs.14 (2) Revenues generated from the tax imposed under this section 15 shall be placed in an affordable housing account administered by the 16 county. Disbursements from the account shall be made following a 17 competitive grant and loan process. The county legislative authority 18 shall determine a mechanism for receiving grant and loan 19 applications, and criteria by which the applications shall be 20 approved and funded. Eligible recipients of grants and loans from the 21 H-0572.1 HOUSE BILL 1480 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By Representatives Ramel, Lekanoff, Duerr, Doglio, Reed, Parshley, Peterson, Macri, Santos, Scott, and Pollet Read first time 01/21/25. Referred to Committee on Finance. p. 1 HB 1480 account shall be private nonprofit, affordable housing providers, the 1 housing authority for the county, or other housing programs conducted 2 or funded by a public agency, or by a public agency in partnership 3 with a private nonprofit entity. 4 (3) The taxes imposed under this section shall be imposed in the 5 same manner and on the same occurrences, and are subject to the same 6 conditions, as the taxes under chapter 82.45 RCW, except that the tax 7 shall be the obligation of both the purchaser and the seller, as 8 determined by the county legislative authority, with at least ((one-9 half)) 0.5 of the obligation being that of the purchaser. The county 10 may enforce the obligation through an action of debt against the 11 purchaser or seller or may foreclose the lien on the property in the 12 same manner prescribed for the foreclosure of mortgages. The 13 imposition of the tax is effective ((thirty)) 30 days after the 14 election at which the tax is authorized. 15 (4)(a) No tax may be imposed under this section unless approved 16 by a majority of the voters of the county voting, for a specified 17 period and for a specified maximum rate. This vote must follow 18 either: 19 (i) The adoption of a resolution by the county legislative 20 authority proposing this action; or 21 (ii) The filing of a petition proposing this action with the 22 county auditor, signed by county voters at least equal in number to 23 ((ten)) 10 percent of the total number of voters in the county who 24 voted in the preceding general election. 25 (b) The ballot proposition shall be submitted to the voters of 26 the county at the next general election occurring at least ((sixty)) 27 60 days after a petition is filed, or at any special election prior 28 to this general election called for this purpose by the county 29 legislative authority. 30 (5) ((No tax may be imposed under this section unless the county 31 imposes a tax under RCW 82.46.070 at the maximum rate and the tax was 32 imposed by January 1, 2003.33 (6))) A plan for the expenditure of the proceeds of the tax 34 imposed by this section shall be prepared by the county legislative 35 authority at least ((sixty)) 60 days before the election if the 36 proposal is initiated by resolution of the county legislative 37 authority, or within six months after the tax has been authorized by 38 the voters if the proposal is initiated by petition. Prior to the 39 adoption of this plan, the elected officials of cities located within 40 p. 2 HB 1480 the county shall be consulted and at least one public hearing shall 1 be held to obtain public comment. The proceeds of the tax shall be 2 expended in conformance with this plan. 3 --- END --- p. 3 HB 1480