House Bill 410

Chair's Name: Larry O�Neal

Committee: Ways & Means

House Sponsor: Bob Hanner

HB 410 authorizes the city of Richland to hold a referendum to allow the city to levy a Municipal Option Sales Tax of 1% in order to correct the problem of asbestos fibers in the water system and the problems with gas leakage.  The bill is drafted narrowly to only apply to Richland by including urging language that the city imposing this tax must have received in correspondence from the Department of Natural Resources on or after January 1, 2007.  The bill also provides for the maximum proceeds from this tax to be collected, $1.8 million, which is equal to the estimates of eliminating the asbestos and gas problems, and for the maximum amount of time, which is to be nine years.  To prevent other cities from using this statute to levy a MOST, the bill includes language repealing the article after nine years.

The committee substitute received a Do Pass recommendation from the Ways & Means Committee and comes to the House Floor under the Structured Rule. 

Chairman O�Neal�s opinion of this legislation:

WHAT PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY DOES THIS LEGISLATION ADDRESS?

The purpose of HB 410 is to authorize the city of Richland to hold a referendum for citizens of the city to vote on whether to allow the city to levy a nine year Municipal Option Sales Tax of 1% in order to correct the problem of asbestos fibers in the water system and the problems with gas leakage. 

WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS LEGISLATION?

The public health and safety dangers of asbestos fibers in the water supply to the citizens of Richland and the dangers posed by natural gas leakage.

THIS LEGISLATION:

• Strengthens the Traditional Family Structure

This bill will allow Richland to fund needed pipe replacement that is needed to keep citizens of Richland safe and healthy.