The Federation-initiated legislation allowing pre-tax payroll deductions for qualified transit and parking benefits got a good hearing Thursday in the House State Government and Tribal Affairs Committee.
HB 1518 is sponsored by the committee’s chair, Rep. Sam Hunt.
The pre-tax deductions are allowed by IRS laws and available to private-sector employees in this state. But Washington’s law has no statutory authority to allow that for state employees, thus the Federation bill.
Federation Lobbyist Dennis Eagle told the committee HB 1518 saves the state and employees money.
The Department of Transportation’s Joan Cullen said the agency and the state Commute Trip Reduction Board endorse the legislation.
“It’s a simple technical fix but allows the state and state employees to save on payments of income taxes for transit and parking benefits,” Cullen said.
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