Governor signs Volz’s bill to reduce penalties and interest on late property tax payments

In a bill-signing ceremony today conducted remotely in Olympia, Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law legislation designed to protect property tax payers from excessive penalties and interests on late payments.

The measure, House Bill 1410, was sponsored by Spokane legislator and Chief Deputy Treasurer for Spokane County, Rep. Mike Volz.

“As I've continued saying since the beginning of this effort, poverty and the financial effects of the COVID pandemic are not partisan issues,” said Volz, R-Spokane. “Government – at any level – should not be reaping onerous taxes and fees from those struggling to pay their mortgages. This legislation brings some balance back into the equation by charging a reasonable interest rate on delinquent properties and eliminates the fee structure. We need to do everything we can to keep people in their homes and away from the destructive cycle of homelessness.”

Volz's legislation lowers the delinquent property tax interest rate on residential homes from 12% to 9% and eliminates late payment penalties. It would take effect Jan. 1, 2022, giving counties time to plan for the changes and implement the new interest and penalty structure.

Volz, who has sponsored similar legislation in years past, lauded the bipartisan work on his bill, crediting relationships he has built across the aisle and in both chambers of the Legislature.

“As a Republican, I'm in the minority in Olympia. But a good idea is a good idea. Sometimes the biggest battles in the Legislature are simply convincing your legislative colleagues that there is indeed a problem, and that you have a common sense solution,” said Volz. “I've worked hard to build relationships with other legislators across the aisle. Those relationships were key in helping get this bill across the finish line.”

The 2021 remote legislative session ended April 25.

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Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov