(1) The legislative authority in each county shall levy, in addition to the taxes now levied by law, a tax in a sum equal to the amount which would be raised by not less than one and one-eighth cents per thousand dollars of assessed value, and not greater than twenty-seven cents per thousand dollars of assessed value against the taxable property of their respective counties, to be levied and collected as now prescribed by law for the assessment and collection of taxes, for the purpose of creating a veterans' assistance fund. Expenditures from the veterans' assistance fund, and interest earned on balances from the fund, may be used only for:

     (a) The veterans' assistance programs authorized by RCW 73.08.010;

     (b) The burial or cremation of a deceased indigent veteran or deceased family member of an indigent veteran as authorized by RCW 73.08.070; and

     (c) The direct and indirect costs incurred in the administration of the fund as authorized by subsection (2) of this section.

     (2) If the funds on deposit in the veterans' assistance fund, less outstanding warrants, on the first Tuesday in September exceed the expected yield of one and one-eighth cents per thousand dollars of assessed value against the taxable property of the county, the county legislative authority may levy a lesser amount. The direct and indirect costs incurred in the administration of the veterans' assistance fund shall be computed by the county auditor, or the chief financial officer in a county operating under a charter, not less than annually. Following the computation of these direct and indirect costs, an amount equal to these costs may then be transferred from the veterans' assistance fund to the county current expense fund.

     (3) The amount of a levy allocated to the purposes specified in this section may be reduced in the same proportion as the regular property tax levy of the county is reduced by chapter 84.55 RCW.

[2005 c 250 § 6; 1985 c 181 § 2; 1983 c 295 § 6; 1980 c 155 § 6; 1973 2nd ex.s. c 4 § 5; 1973 1st ex.s. c 195 § 86; 1970 ex.s. c 47 § 9; 1969 c 57 § 1; 1945 c 144 § 7; 1921 c 41 § 7; 1919 c 83 § 7; 1907 c 64 § 7; 1893 c 37 § 2; 1888 p 210 § 7; Rem. Supp. 1945 § 10742. Formerly RCW 73.08.020.]

NOTES:

     Intent -- 2005 c 250: See note following RCW 73.08.005.

     Effective date -- Applicability -- 1980 c 155: See note following RCW 84.40.030.

     Emergency -- Effective dates -- 1973 2nd ex.s. c 4: See notes following RCW 84.52.043.

     Severability -- Effective dates and termination dates -- Construction -- 1973 1st ex.s. c 195: See notes following RCW 84.52.043.