Bill would let cities impose REIT 2 without voter approval if they opt into GMA planning
House Bill 2528 would allow counties that choose to fully plan under the Growth Management Act (GMA) — and their cities — to impose the second REIT rate without voter approval, giving local governments more discretion to fund infrastructure; city officials and the Association of Washington Cities backed the measure while realtors and taxpayers raised affordability and democratic‑accountability concerns.
The full story
House Finance Committee members heard Jan. 27 from staff and a cross‑section of city and county officials on House Bill 2528, which proposes to permit any county that chooses full GMA planning and the cities within it to impose the second real‑estate excise tax rate (REIT 2) by councilmanic action rather than requiring voter approval.
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