Concerning authority to impose local excise taxes on lodging.

HB 2583 amends Washington state law to clarify and limit local governments' authority to impose excise taxes on lodging. It sets specific rate caps: the combined lodging tax rate (including all local taxes) cannot exceed 12% for most areas, or 15.2% for large cities in populous counties. The bill grandfathered existing higher tax rates for municipalities that had them before 1997 or 1998, while prohibiting new taxes in counties with pre-existing rates above 4%. It also allows public facilities districts to impose a separate 2% lodging tax, but only for public facilities and with voter approval if not previously collected. This directly affects cities, counties, and public facilities districts seeking to levy or adjust lodging taxes.