Committee hears broad package expanding local revenue options and flexibility

Jeff Mitchell, committee staff, briefed substitute Senate Bill 6,294 as an eight-part package aimed at expanding local government revenue tools and flexibility. Highlights described in the briefing included expanding allowable REET (real estate excise tax) uses to permit nuisance-abatement spending; enabling cities to impose an affordable-housing REET option (subject to voter approval); creating a county utility tax (limited to 3%) with a 0.2% set-aside to assist low-income residents; authorizing a 0.01% local sales and use tax to fund services for children and families; broadening allowable uses of housing‑related local sales taxes to include rental assistance and rehabilitation; and changes to levy-lid lift duration and rental-car tax uses.