South Sound reps at forefront of property tax session

Bills to cap increases, provide deferral signed by Gov. Gregoire

OLYMPIA – Thursday’s legislative session on property taxes featured two local representatives, Sen. Derek Kilmer (D-Gig Harbor) and Rep. Larry Seaquist (D-Gig Harbor).

Kilmer prime-sponsored the Senate version of the bill to reinstate the 1-percent property tax increase cap, Senate Bill 6177. Seaquist primed the House version of a program to defer 50 percent of property taxes for some homeowners, House Bill 2417.

When the session ended, it turned out the companion bills to Kilmer and Seaquist’s bills were the ones to be passed and signed into law. Both were instrumental in guiding the companion bills through their respective chambers.

“I think the voters knew what they were doing when they voted for I-747, and once the court acted I thought it was important to return us to exactly where we were before they overturned it,” Kilmer said. “Once we passed that bill, it was like the Supreme Court case never happened.”

Kilmer’s bill, identical to House Bill 2416 now signed into law, reinstated the 1-percent cap on property tax increases, which was eliminated when the Washington Supreme Court overturned Initiative 747.

“We took action Thursday to give people having a hard time making it a way to stay in their homes,” Seaquist said. “I envision many looking at this property tax deferral as a way to make paying the bills each month easier until times get better for them.”

Seaquist’s bill, companion to Senate Bill 6178 that’s now law, would allow homeowners making up to $57,000 in income to defer 50 percent of their property taxes. When the home is sold or transferred, the deferred taxes are paid back. It’s estimated 5,500 homeowners could immediately access this program.

Seaquist and Kilmer want additional property-tax reform pursued during the regular session, schedule to open Jan. 14.

"Homeowners can feel good that the 1-percent cap is back in place and there is a tool available to help some defer half their property taxes,” Seaquist said. “This is just the first step. I'm looking forward to further action on property taxes during the regular session."

“There isn't a homeowner in our community who isn't aware of the property taxes their family pays,” Kilmer said. “We need to continue to pursue additional steps to provide greater protections to homeowners in the upcoming regular legislative session.”

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