(1) In computing tax there may be deducted from the measure of tax, amounts received by a cooperative finance organization where the amounts are derived from loans to rural electric cooperatives or other nonprofit or governmental providers of utility services organized under the laws of this state.

(2) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(a) “Cooperative finance organization” means a nonprofit organization with the primary purpose of providing, securing, or otherwise arranging financing for rural electric cooperatives.

(b) “Rural electric cooperative” means a nonprofit, customer-owned organization that provides utility services to rural areas.

(3) This section expires January 1, 2034.

Tax preference performance statement—2023 c 317 § 2: “(1) This section is the tax preference performance statement for the tax preference contained in section 2, chapter 317, Laws of 2023. This performance statement is only intended to be used for subsequent evaluation of the tax preference. It is not intended to create a private right of action by any party or to be used to determine eligibility for preferential tax treatment.

(2) The legislature categorizes this tax preference as one intended to provide tax relief for certain businesses or individuals, as indicated in RCW 82.32.808(2)(e).

(3) It is the legislature’s specific public policy objective to reduce the tax burden on individuals and businesses imposed by the existing business and occupation tax rates.

(4) If the review finds that at least one cooperative finance organization in this state used the deduction, then the legislature intends to extend the expiration date of this tax deduction.

(5) In order to obtain the data necessary to perform the review in subsection (4) of this section, the joint legislative audit and review committee may refer to any data collected by the state.” [ 2023 c 317 § 1.]

Effective date—2023 c 317: “This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2023.” [ 2023 c 317 § 3.]