Legislative Advocacy
Sustainable Policies, Sustainable Counties
Counties provide constitutionally and statutorily directed state services to all of Washington’s residents. The Washington Association of County Officials (WACO) is working to secure clear and sustainable policies to provide all 39 counties with the foundation to provide sustainable service levels to every Washingtonian.
County Assessors
The County Assessors are seeking to modify the Senior / Disabled Veteran Tax Exemption qualifying income levels from dollar thresholds to thresholds based on a percentage of county income. No currently qualified senior loses qualification.
County Auditors
The County Auditors are seeking legislation for equitable share of election costs by making counties, cities, towns, districts, and the state pay their proportionate share of elections costs for every election.
Additionally, the County Auditors seek an increase in the licensing filing fee by $1.50. The fee for certain vehicle and vessels has been unchanged for 20 years. Fees collected directly benefit services to the public by counties.
County Clerks
The County Clerks seek to make technical corrections to the language in the parentage statute.
County Coroners
The County Coroners are seeking the adoption of clear legislative language authorizing coroners to subpoena records and other evidentiary materials.
Additionally, the County Coroners are seeking a $3 vital records fee increase to increase Death Investigation Fund dollars for training to meet national accreditation standards, and to address the rising cost of autopsy-related testing and toxicology lab backlog. Funding for training has been unchanged since 1999.
County Treasurers
The County Treasurers seek to eliminate "neglect" from "willfully refuses or neglects to collect" and substitute "in RCW 84.56.300" for "as provided herein" to promote clarity in the statute.
Additionally, the County Treasurers seek to eliminate certain title signatures and extinguishing liens on treasurer foreclosure on distraint sales of titled manufactured homes in RCW 46.12.700.
County Sheriffs
The County Sheriffs are seeking a change in the Civil Service Hiring Rules to allow counties similar flexibility already afforded cities in hiring under civil service rules.
2019 Legislative Resources
- Legislative 101
- 2019 Bill Search
- House of Representatives Committee Information
- Senate Committee Roster and Information
- FAQ: Property Taxes and School Levies
- KNKX "Unpacking Government"
- Navigating the Legislative Website
- Getting Around at the Capitol Campus
- Appointments with Legislators
- Testifying in a Legislative Hearing
- Passing Notes onto the Floor