wash state legislation update

[Ron E. Perkerewicz]

SB6434 and SB5644 are dead, SB6433 has been extensivly amended, still allows those without a license to be grand fathered until July 2010 and any proposed training must be in available in both east and west wash before approval. You should read the revised bill, I would advise you to write your legislators and oppose the bill.

Also tell your legislators to not add sales tax to home inspection services, it is rumored that they will do that in a budget bill and we then need to collect and remit to the State an additional 8-10% or more after they raise sales tax rates to balance the budget

[James H. Bushart]

Now that the state runs the home inspection profession, why would they not collect sales tax? They do for everything else they control, don't they?

[Ron E. Perkerewicz]

in Washington State to date "services" have not had to charge sales tax, the cost of course is passed onto the purchaser but is a pain in the backside to collect, track and remit to the State, if you include it in your fee then you pay State B&O on it as they charge off the gross income with no deductions.

[Nick Gromicko]

Can you post the amended Bill?

[Stephen W. Stanczyk]

Here is the link.

It is easier to give the link since government bills have all the lines numbered and they get screwed up during copy/paste.

This changes the grandfather date from September 1, 2009 to July 1, 2010. It does not change the requirements, just the date to apply. So it seems that some were too lazy to fill out an easy form, take the test and apply within the allotted 14 month period.

I wrote to the Senators on the Rules Committee where this Substitute Bill is under review. I asked if they were going to add an additional year onto the initial license for those that took the time and spent the money to follow the rules.

[Ron E. Perkerewicz]

SSB6433 the revised insp bill will have a hearing at 8:00 on fri AM, if you can please show up link to info

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summ...2010&bill=6433

[Gary Farnsworth]

If inspectors provide a service and have to add sales tax, then landscapers, lawn cutters, accountants, hair dressers, et. al. should have to pay; all for one, one for all.

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Originally Posted by gfarnsworth

If inspectors provide a service and have to add sales tax, then landscapers, lawn cutters, accountants, hair dressers, et. al. should have to pay; all for one, one for all.

Just as an FYI...

Washington State does not have State Income Tax.

What they do have is Sales Tax on Labor/Services.

Has been this way for many years. It basically boils down to who pays the tax to the State, and when.

[Gary Farnsworth]

Yeah, lived in Renton and worked in Belevue Washington for a few months long ago. Just goes to show you how all laws, including home inspection laws, are different from state to state. It is hard for Nick to keep up with them all, and may be one reason he stays out until laws start. It is a sad day when lawmakers everywhere are looking to tax you for everything, when all they need to do is create jobs.

[kpierce]

Originally Posted by gfarnsworth

It is a sad day when lawmakers everywhere are looking to tax you for everything...

To the tune of $759 million.

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Originally Posted by kpierce

To the tune of $759 million.

Gregoire said in an interview with Capitol reporters that consumers can choose to avoid many of the taxes.


“It’s a tough choice not to buy a cigarette. They have a choice not to buy candy and gum. They have a choice not to buy pop and water,” she said.

I notice "alcohol" is not on the list, again. Wonder why???

[Stephen W. Stanczyk]

For those interested: here is the link to the Video of the hearing today.

The initial part is from 17:48 to 25.20 where the sponsoring Senators give their opinion.

The second part is for public comment from 1:34:27 to 1:47:27

http://www.tvw.org/media/MediaPlayer...&TYPE=V&bhcp=1

[kpierce]

"ASHI is all about education..." Hehe.

[Peter Doane]

WOW Who was that loud WAPI guy that kept calling himself a boob?? =)

[James R. Szczesny]

I find it hard to believe that some inspectors out there can be so disturbed by a few old men getting an extra year to get gradfathered in that they can show up to this hearing and say no way! How many could it be, maybe 10 people. It only took one to get the bill up for revising. Big deal. let them take the freakin test. It wont hurt my business. I dont think it will hurt the industry any either. If they are idiots and haven't figured out they needed to take the test by last September there business will show it. I hate politics. I know an inspector that got grandfatered in and he had 38 inspections last year. If he thinks he still can do it, ( LET IT BE ) How is this guys 38 inspections a year gonna hurt anyone.