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Tax Expenditure Review Commission adopts new voting rules, advances recommendations on multiple tax credits
Summary
The commission adopted updated voting procedures requiring at least five voting-member responses before formal recommendations and voted on 12 tax expenditures across several bundles, advancing continuations, a repeal and a set of modifications for review by the Legislature.
The Tax Expenditure Review Commission on June 17 approved updated procedures that require at least five voting-member responses before a formal public recommendation vote and permit members to bundle or unbundle tax expenditures for voting.
Chris Larsen, director of the Legislative Budget Office, described the changes as intended to “streamline the process” while ensuring sufficient member input on whether a tax expenditure should be continued, repealed or modified. Representative Davids moved to adopt the revised procedures; the motion passed on roll call.
Following that procedural change, the commission heard LBO summaries for 12 tax expenditures grouped into four bundles. The commission voted to remove the small winery credit from today's consideration, approved a motion to repeal the micro-distillery credit after member debate, and recommended continuation of the lawful-gambling bundle. On residential utility exemptions (heating fuels, water, sewer), members discussed equity concerns and the possibility of caps on benefits; the commission voted to recommend continuing those exemptions while urging further review by tax committees.
Votes were taken by roll call for each motion. LBO staff will publish the full evaluation reports and members directed the LBO to proceed with evaluations under the newly adopted procedures. The commission scheduled follow-up consideration of items that were deferred and adjourned.
