(1) If
legislative action raising taxes as defined by RCW 43.135.035 is
blocked from a public vote or is not referred to the people by a
referendum petition found to be sufficient under RCW 29A.72.250,
a measure for an advisory vote of the people is required and
shall be placed on the next general election ballot under chapter
1, Laws of 2008.
(a) If legislative action raising taxes involves more than one
revenue source, each tax being increased shall be subject to a
separate measure for an advisory vote of the people under the
requirements of chapter 1, Laws of 2008.
(2) No later than the first of August, the attorney general
will send written notice to the secretary of state of any tax
increase that is subject to an advisory vote of the people, under
the provisions and exceptions provided by chapter 1, Laws of
2008. Within five days of receiving such written notice from the
attorney general, the secretary of state will assign a serial
number for a measure for an advisory vote of the people and
transmit one copy of the measure bearing its serial number to the
attorney general as required by RCW 29A.72.040, for any tax
increase identified by the attorney general as needing an
advisory vote of the people for that year's general election
ballot. Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays are not counted
in calculating the time limits in this subsection.
(3) For the purposes of this section, "blocked from a public
vote" includes adding an emergency clause to a bill increasing
taxes, bonding or contractually obligating taxes, or otherwise
preventing a referendum on a bill increasing taxes.
(4) If legislative action raising taxes is referred to the
people by the legislature or is included in an initiative to the
people found to be sufficient under RCW 29A.72.250, then the tax
increase is exempt from an advisory vote of the people under
chapter 1, Laws of 2008.
[2008 c 1 § 6 (Initiative Measure No. 960, approved November 6, 2007).]
NOTES:
Findings -- Intent -- Construction -- Severability -- Subheadings and part headings not law -- Short title -- Effective date -- 2008 c 1 (Initiative Measure No. 960): See notes following RCW 43.135.031.