Pike bill to expand use of real estate excise tax proceeds for police, fire technology upgrades gains governor’s signature
CONTACT: John Sattgast, Broadcast Coordinator – (360) 786-7257
Pike bill to expand use of real estate excise tax proceeds for police, fire technology upgrades gains governor's signature
A bill authored by Rep. Liz Pike that will allow cities and counties to use capital project money from real estate excise taxes (REET) to pay for security and technology improvements for police and fire stations was signed into law today by Gov. Jay Inslee.
Current law specifies usage of REET revenue for local governments' capital projects, including: streets, roads, highways and sidewalks; street and road lighting systems; storm and sanitary sewer systems; law enforcement and fire protection facilities; and parks.
House Bill 2298 expands those provisions to allow the use of REET proceeds for technology infrastructure that is a part of the capital project.
“I introduced this bill at the request of Cowlitz County Commissioner Jim Misner. He and the commissioners wanted the flexibility to use these funds for technology upgrades and infrastructure within police and fire stations,” said Pike, R-Camas.
“A substantial portion of costs for building police stations goes for technology to ensure jails are secure. Similarly, there's a lot of new technology built into other modern local government infrastructure projects to ensure security and public safety. However, it can be costly. This gives counties and cities the flexibility they need to advance to 21st century technology for public safety,” added Pike. “Best of all, it provides this flexibility without the need to raise taxes.”
The new law becomes effective June 11.
PHOTO: Rep. Liz Pike and Cowlitz County Commissioner Jim Misner watch as Gov. Jay Inslee signs House Bill 2298. Authored by Pike at the request of Cowlitz County commissioners, the measure will allow proceeds from the real estate excise tax to be used for security and technology improvements when cities and counties build police and fire stations. Photo credit: Washington State House of Representatives.
