SB5849 – Extends the reduced B&O tax rate for manufacturers of solar systems and components for five years; creates 10 year property tax exemption for new industrial or manufacturing facilities in designated areas.
Prime Sponsor – Senator Warnick (R; 13th District; Moses Lake)
Current status – Referred to House Finance; had a hearing March 7th, and passed out of committee March 8th. Referred to Rules, and passed by the House March 9th.
Next step would be – To the Governor.
Legislative tracking page for the bill.

In the Senate – Passed
Had a hearing in the Senate Committee on Business, Financial Services & Trade January 25th; passed out of committee January 27th, and referred to Ways and Means. Had a hearing in Ways and Means February 17th, and passed out of committee February 24th. Referred to Rules. Amended on the floor to remove the provisions for tax exemptions in designated distressed areas. Passed by the Senate March 4th.

Summary –
Currently the law reduces the B&O tax rate for manufacturing solar energy systems or solar grade silicon to 0.275%. (The normal B&O tax rate for manufacturing is 0.484%.) The bill would extend the expiration date of this exemption from July 1st 2027 to July 1st 2032.

(It would also extend a 10 year sales and use tax exemption for new Industrial or manufacturing facilities of any and all kinds in designated areas.)