HB 3191 & SB 6143 - Tax Increase Package - Take Action NOW!
On Sunday, the Senate passed a massive tax increase bill. The bill,
SB 6143, contains a Business & Occupations (B&O) tax increase on all service sector businesses by .25%, including architecture and engineering firms. The House also introduced a tax increase bill, HB 3191, but it is still pending.
The Senate version increases the B&O tax on ALL services, while the House uses a more targeted list. The Senate version raises the tax rate by .25% while the House increases the rate by .5%. The main similarity between the bills is: that both they impose personal liability on corporate officers and certain employees. Officers and employees could still be found personally liable for unpaid taxes if the business fails.
Because the House released a striking amendment on the Senate bill today (a striking amendment removes all or part of a bill and inserts a whole new bill) it's most likely that the Senate bill will be used to impose higher taxes this year.
The striker amendment increases the proposed B&O tax - three years at a .50% instead of .25% tax increase - however it restricts the Senate bill to selected services. Even though the amendment's more targeted approach is preferable to the Senate's original broader bill, it could still create some serious problems for firms. Architecture and engineering sectors are still included in the sections being targeted for tax hikes!
This is an urgent request and cannot wait. It will take only a moment to call or write to your legislators and urge them to oppose new taxes on architecture firms. Urge them to oppose HB 3191 and SB 6143.
Lawmakers need to hear from you right away! Please take a moment to call your lawmakers at 1-800-562-6000 or click thi
s link to use a prewritten e-mail to your lawmakers. If you do not have your AIA member number, please contact us for the pre-written email or contact your legislator directly here.
ESSB 5529 - Architecture Licensing Law Revisions
Thanks to your good
efforts on the architecture law reform bill, ESSB 5529, is on its way to the Governor. It has been six years in the making and this is the third year in the legislature. This bill stops illegal plan stamping by clarifying and eliminating a number of confusing exemptions. It also updates the qualifications standards and simplifies corporate registration requirements.
Thank you for your help. Twenty-five years is a long time to wait for the law to be updated; but your proactive efforts this year made it a reality. We are confident the governor will sign the bill; nevertheless contacting Governor Gregoire will be the next step.
This is Rep. Dunshee's bond bill. The bill is still in the Senate Ways & Means Committee, where it has sat without a hearing. It seems as though the bill will be an end of session bargaining chip between the House and the Senate over the budget. If it is part of the end of session deal, look for a quick hearing and movement. Otherwise, the Senate is not enamored with the bill and it could just remain (and die) in committee.
E2SHB 2658 - Refocusing the Department of Commerce
The AIA|WA was successful in amending this bill to move the State Building Code Council (SBCC) to the Department of General Administration. As originally drafted, the bill would have moved the SBCC to the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). AIA|WA viewed that move as problematic, as L&I has a tumultuous track record of working with stakeholders.
SSB 6214 - Combining the 3 Growth Management Hearings Boards in to One Board
This bill passed the House and Senate. AIA|WA has expressed concerns about the proposals. Amendments were made to restore some of the regional representation of the original hearings boards' structure.
The House has released its version of the Capital Budget and moved it out of committee. In general this bill protects current programs and relies on cost efficiencies, achieved through lower bids, to shave monies from the budget.
The House bill re-arranges some funds to put more into energy efficiency improvements and public housing projects but does not restore the deep cuts already enacted on design services.
The Senate bill also relies upon cost efficiencies to limit the negative impact of spending reductions. It does not, however, fund the energy efficiency improvements included in the House bill. Currently, neither the House nor the Senate has passed their bills.
Art as Part of Public Buildings
The AIA|WA again opposed proposals to eliminate arts funding from public construction projects. This year it was included as a budget proviso. An amendment was adopted in committee to remove the restriction.
important issues for the profession. 