Wildfire relief bill sails through the Senate
By Terry Murry on Thursday, March 11th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA – The Washington Senate unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Mark Schoesler (R-Ritzville) that provides property tax relief for people whose homes were either damaged or destroyed by wildfires that swept across Washington last September.
Under Senate Bill 5454, property owners who lost their homes between Sept. 1 and Sept. 19 will be exempt from paying property taxes on the full value of the original structure for three years if the home is being rebuilt or improved.
Nearly 300 homes, including more than 120 in the towns of Malden and Pine City were destroyed by the wildfires that ravaged the state.
“The terrible wildfires last labor Day destroyed many homes,” Schoesler said. “These homeowners lost practically everything, and it’s been a struggle for these families and individuals to recover. Some of them didn’t have homeowner insurance. This bill is just a way to offer a little bit of relief by helping ease their financial burden as they try to rebuild their homes and their lives.”
The bill has now moved to the House of Representatives for consideration.
File photo of Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers surveying wildfire damage.
