Manweller bill to allow TV reception districts to expand tax exemptions passes House
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Rep. Matt Manweller – (360) 786-7808
Manweller bill to allow TV reception districts to expand excise tax exemptions passes House
A bill that would allow, but not require the Kittitas County TV Reception Improvement District to provide an excise tax exemption to television owners receiving satellite television service passed the Washington State House of Representatives today. Rep. Matt Manweller introduced House Bill 1068 after it was brought to his attention TV reception districts were able to charge excise tax for television service that was not being provided. “The laws regarding TV districts were written decades ago before satellite television. We have an unfair situation with respect to satellite service in my district and my hope is this bill will correct it,” said Manweller, R-Ellensburg. “This legislation still allows for local control as it would be up to the reception district to provide any exemptions.” The bill would allow the board of a TV reception district to exempt a television owner from the excise tax if the owner subscribes to satellite television service. It also lowers the administrative costs of the board so if fewer people are paying into the district, overall fees may remain the same. Finally, the legislation also would allow a reception district, in lieu of the county treasurer, to designate a separate person to act as the treasurer of the district. The bill passed the House by a vote of 93-5 and it now headed to the Senate for consideration. It is Rep. Manweller's first bill passed by the full House of Representatives. The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn 105-day regular session on April 28, 2013.
