Watson v. City of Seattle

This opinion was filed for record
1
at ~ ,00~ on::AtJtlAJ}~1
\\Cr
D
\'W
SUS NL.CARLSON
SUPREME COURT CLERK
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
PHILIP WA ISON, an individual; RAY
CARTER, an individual; FARWEST
SPORTS, INC., d/b/a OUTDOOR
EMPORIUM, a Washington corporation;
PRECISE SHOOTER, LLC, a Washington
limited liability company; THE SECOND
AMENDMENT FOUNDATION, INC., a
Washington nonprofit corporation;
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF
AMERICA, INC., a New York nonprofit NO. 93723-1
association; and NATIONAL SHOOTING
SPORTS FOUNDATION, a Connecticut
nonprofit association,
ENBANC
Appellants,
V.
Filed AUG 1 0 !017
CITY OF SEATTLE, a municipality; ED
MURRAY, Mayor of the City of Seattle, in his
official capacity; SEATTLE DEPARTMENT
OF FINANCE and ADMINISTRATIVE
SERVICES, a department of the City of
Seattle; and GLEN LEE, Director of Finance
and Administrative Services, in his official
capacity,
Respondents.
Watson, et al. v. City of Seattle, et al., 93723-1
STEPHENS, J.-This case concerns Seattle Ordinance 124833 (Ordinance),
which imposes a "Firearms and Ammunition Tax" on each firearm and round of
ammunition sold within the city limits. Its stated purpose is to raise revenue for public
health research relating to gun violence and to fund related social programs. Two
individual gun purchasers, Phillip Watson and Ray Carter, along with various
organizations (hereinafter Watson),1 brought this suit challenging the
constitutionality of the Ordinance.
RCW 9.41.290 forbids the local regulation of guns. Watson argues that the
Ordinance is actually a regulation, not a tax, and is preempted by RCW 9.41.290 in
any case. Watson also argues that even if the Ordinance is a tax, it exceeds Seattle's
delegated taxing authority. The King County Superior Court ruled in favor of
Seattle, holding that the Ordinance imposes an authorized tax and that this tax is not
preempted by RCW 9 .41.290. Watson appealed, and the Court of Appeals certified the
matter to this court.
We affirm the trial court. Under Washington law, a charge intended to raise
revenue for the public benefit is a tax. While courts should be dubious of regulations
masquerading as taxes (and vice versa), in this case Watson offers no convincing
evidence that the Ordinance has a regulatory purpose or intent. It is a tax. The
1Watson and Carter have been dismissed from this suit, but we refer collectively to
the appellants as "Watson" for ease of reference.
-2-
Watson, et al. v. City ofSeattle, et al., 93723-1
Ordinance is also authorized by the broad grant of taxing authority delegated to cities
like Seattle. Finally, the Ordinance is not preempted by state law; RCW 9.41.290
preempts only municipal gun "regulation," not taxation.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
In August 2015, the Seattle City Council (Council) unanimously passed the
Ordinance, and Mayor Ed Murray signed it into law. The Ordinance imposes a
"Firearms and Ammunition Tax" of $25.00 on each firearm and $0.02 to $0.05 per
round of ammunition sold within the city limits. 2 The tax applies only to licensed retail
sellers of guns and ammunition. 3 Clerk's Papers (CP) at 76 (applying the tax to "every
person engaging within the City in the business of making retail sales of firearms or
ammunition"). The Ordinance became effective on January 1, 2016. Id. at 80.
The Council designed the Ordinance to fund gun safety programs and related
public health research. The Ordinance recites that "gun violence directly affects the
City and its residents," id. at 68, and notes it is difficult for cities to obtain outside
funding for related research. Id. at 67 (stating that Congress has blocked federal funding
for gun violence research since 1996). The Council locally funded a 2014 study by the
2
"The tax rate shall be $25 per firearm sold at retail, $.02 per round of ammunition
that contains a single projectile that measures .22 caliber or less sold at retail, and $.05 per
round of ammunition for all other ammunition sold at retail." Clerk's Papers at 76.
3
Retailers selling no more than one firearm (or fewer than 50 rounds of ammunition)
per tax quarter are exempt. Id. at 77-78. Sales of antique firearms are also exempt. Id. at
77.
-3-
Watson, et al. v. City ofSeattle, et al., 93723-1
Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center on the predictors and consequences
of gun violence. Id. at 67 (noting that Harborview Medical Center leveraged that
research to develop a hospital-based gun violence intervention program). The Council
passed the Ordinance in part to create a local source of funding for gun violence
research and programming. Id. at 68 ("[T]he City intends to ... provide broad-based
public benefits for residents of Seattle ... by funding programs that promote public
safety [and] prevent gun violence."). To this end, the Ordinance created the "Firearms
and Ammunition Tax Fund," which is authorized to support "basic research" and
"programs that promote public safety, prevent gun violence and address in part the cost
of gun violence in the City." Id. at 78. The tax will generate an estimated $300,000 to
$500,000 per year. Id. at 135.
Watson challenged the Ordinance in King County Superior Court, alleging that
the "tax" imposed under the Ordinance is actually a regulation preempted by state gun
laws. CP at 32-35; RCW 9.41.290 (the legislature "fully occupies and preempts the
entire field of firearms regulation"). Watson argued in the alternative that even if the
Ordinance is a tax, it exceeds Seattle's constitutional taxing authority. In response,
Seattle argued that the Ordinance is a tax rather than a regulation, is not preempted by
RCW 9.41.290, and is a lawful exercise of Seattle's taxing authority. Both parties filed
motions for summary judgment. The trial court ruled in favor of Seattle. In a December
-4-
Watson, et al. v. City of Seattle, et al., 93723-1
22, 2015 order, the court held that the Ordinance imposes a tax because its primary
purpose is to raise revenue; that the tax is authorized by RCW 35.22.280(32); and that
state preemption does not apply because RCW 9 .41.290 preempts conflicting
regulations, not taxes. The court granted Seattle's motion and dismissed the case.
Watson appealed.
Division One of the Court of Appeals, pursuant to RCW 2.06.030 and RAP 4.4,
certified the following question to this court: "Whether a municipal ordinance imposing
a tax on retail firearm and ammunition sales within the municipality is a constitutional
and lawful exercise of taxing authority?" Order of Certification, Watson v. City of
Seattle, No. 74534-4-I (Wash. Ct. App. Oct. 14, 2016). We accepted direct review.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
We review constitutional challenges and questions of statutory interpretation de
novo. See, e.g., Okeson v. City ofSeattle, 150 Wash. 2d 540, 548-49, 78 P.3d 1279 (2003).
City ordinances are presumed to be valid and constitutional; the challenging party has
the burden of showing unconstitutionality. See State v. Kirwin, 165 Wash. 2d 818, 825,
203 P.3d 1044 (2009); State v. Immelt, 173 Wash. 2d 1, 6,267 P.3d 305 (2011). As with
statutory interpretation, the primary objective of courts interpreting an ordinance is to
"ascertain and carry out the legislature's intent" by giving effect to the ordinance's
"plain meaning." Arborwood Idaho, LLC v. City ofKennewick, 151 Wn.2d 359,367,
-5-
Watson, et al. v. City ofSeattle, et al., 93723-1
89 P.3d 217 (2004); see also Bowie v. Dep 't of Revenue, 171 Wash. 2d 1, 11, 248 P.3d
504 (2011).
ISSUES
(1) Does the Ordinance levy a tax or instead assess a regulatory fee?
(2) If the Ordinance imposes a tax, is that tax within Seattle's taxing
authority under RCW 35.22.280(32)?
(3) Is the Ordinance preempted by RCW 9.41.290?
ANALYSIS
Labeling something a tax does not make it so. Watson argues that Seattle levied
a charge on the sale of firearms and ammunition in order to restrict gun sales, making
the "tax" imposed by the Ordinance a regulatory fee that is facially preempted by RCW
9.41.290. In the alternative, Watson argues that even if classified as a tax, the Ordinance
exceeds Seattle's taxing authority under RCW 35.22.280(32). Watson also asserts an
alternative preemption argument not raised below: that RCW 9 .41.290 preempts
taxation as well as regulation and therefore preempts the Ordinance under either
classification.
We reject each of Watson's arguments. Following Covell v. City ofSeattle, 127
Wash. 2d 874, 905 P.2d 324 (1995), the Ordinance is a tax because its primary purpose is
to raise revenue for public services. To be a valid tax, the Ordinance must be based on
-6-
Watson, et al. v. City ofSeattle, et al., 93723-1
a delegation oflegislative taxing authority. Here, the Ordinance is authorized by RCW
35.22.280(32), which delegates broad taxing authority to first class cities. Finally, the
Ordinance is not preempted. RCW 9 .41.290 preempts only "regulation" of firearms,
not taxation. There is no basis for selectively invalidating the Ordinance while leaving
traditional (and unchallenged) sales and gross receipts taxes in place.
A. Under the Covell Analysis, the Ordinance Imposes a Tax, Not a
Regulatory Fee
We turn first to the question of whether the charge imposed on firearm and
ammunition sales is a tax or a regulatory fee. If the Ordinance is a regulation, it is
facially preempted by RCW 9 .41.290 and our analysis ends. If the Ordinance instead
levies a tax, we must then determine whether that tax is authorized. See infra Part B.
Generally speaking, a charge "imposed to raise money for the public treasury" is
a tax. Okeson, 150 Wash. 2d at 551. Nontax charges, by contrast, may be imposed for
regulatory purposes. This court refers collectively to nontax charges as '"regulatory
fees."' Samis Land Co. v. City ofSoap Lake, 143 Wash. 2d 798,805, 23 P.3d 477 (2001)
(quoting Covell, 127 Wash. 2d at 878 n.l). Classifying a charge as a tax or a fee is
important because distinct constitutional constraints govern each classification. Fees
are generally based on a local government's police powers, while the taxing authority
of Washington's municipalities largely depends on legislative delegation. See Covell,
127 Wash. 2d at 878 (characterizing Seattle's police powers as "extensive"); Okeson, 150
-7-
Watson, et al. v. City ofSeattle, et al., 93723-1
Wn.2d at 551 (noting that "[a] local government does not have the power to impose
taxes without statutory or constitutional authority"). Thus, there is a concern that cities
could "avoid the constitutional limitations on taxes" by simply characterizing a tax as a
regulatory fee. Id. at 552.
Courts Consider the Covell Factors To Distinguish between Taxes and Fees
To determine whether an ordinance imposes a tax or a fee, Washington courts
follow the three-part test outlined in Covell. 127 Wash. 2d at 879. The first-and most
important-Covell factor asks whether the "'primary purpose"' of the ordinance is to
raise revenue or to regulate. Id. (quoting Hillis Homes, Inc. v. Snohomish County, 97
Wash. 2d 804, 809, 650 P.2d 193 (1982) (Hillis Homes I)). If the legislative purpose
behind the Ordinance is "'to accomplish desired public benefits which cost money,"'
the charge is a tax. Id. (quoting Hillis Homes I, 97 Wash. 2d at 809). On the other hand,
if the primary purpose is to exert regulatory control over those paying the fee, then the
"charges are properly characterized as 'tools of regulation,' rather than taxes." Teter v.
Clark County, 104 Wn.2d 227,239, 704 P.2d 1171 (1985).
The second Covell factor asks "whether the money collected must be allocated
only to the authorized regulatory purpose." Covell, 127 Wash. 2d at 879. Collecting funds
into a segregated, dedicated account indicates a regulatory fee. See, e.g., Hillis Homes,
Inc. v. Pub. Util. Dist. No. 1, 105 Wash. 2d 288, 300, 714 P.2d 1163 (1986) (Hillis
-8-
Watson, et al. v. City ofSeattle, et al., 93723-1
Homes II) (water fees used to pay only for improvements to the water system). Tax
revenue, by contrast, is more likely to be mixed into the general fund. See Samis Land
Co., 143 Wash. 2d at 810-11 (revenue from vacant lot tax applied to city-wide utility
system expenses). However, Covell itself recognized that this factor is "not
dispositive." 127 Wash. 2d at 885 (determining that Seattle's street utility charge
constituted a tax, despite the segregation of fees). While the segregation of fees is part
of the analysis, segregation alone is not sufficient; the funds must also be used to
"serve[] a regulatory purpose." Okeson, 150 Wash. 2d at 553 ("All funds could be
deposited into special accounts, and that would not necessarily turn taxes into fees.").
Otherwise, taxes could be "guised as fees" simply by depositing them into a dedicated
account. Id.
The third Covell factor examines "whether there is a direct relationship between
the fee charged and the service received [or] the burden produced by the fee payer."
Covell, 127 Wash. 2d at 879. If so, the charge is likely a regulatory fee. Id. However, if
the amount does not correlate to the cost of the burden (or the value of the benefit), the
charge is likely a tax. Id.
In this context, "direct relationship" means that the amount paid is calculated to
offset the burden created (or benefit received) by the payer. f d. This relationship does
not need to be mathematically precise or individualized. See Teter, 104 Wash. 2d at 238;
-9-
Watson, et al. v. City ofSeattle, et al., 93723-1
Hillis Homes II, 105 Wash. 2d at 301. Nevertheless, there must be some "'practical basis"'
for asse1iing that it exists. Covell, 127 Wash. 2d at 884 (finding no direct relationship
between a flat lighting tax, uniformly assessed, and the benefit received by individual
utility users).
Pursuant to Covell, the Ordinance Imposes a Tax
Watson asse1is that the Ordinance is, in effect, a regulation masquerading as a
tax. Watson argues that all three Covell factors indicate the Ordinance should be
classified as a regulation. See Appellants' Opening Br. at 10. He argues that (1) the
Ordinance's primary purpose is regulatory because it seeks to limit access to firearms,
(2) segregation of funds indicates the Ordinance is a regulation, and (3) there is a "direct
relationship" between the tax and the burden of gun violence. Id. at 10-14. We
disagree.
The first Covell factor indicates that the Ordinance imposes a tax. The statutory
text is clear: the purpose of the Ordinance is to "raise general revenue ... to provide
broad-based public benefits for residents of Seattle." CP at 68. Revenue raised will
"fund[] programs that promote public safety," including "youth education and
employment programs," and support "basic research." Id. at 78. Because public health
research and gun safety programs are '" desired pub lie benefits which cost money,"' the
Ordinance imposes a tax. Covell, 127 Wash. 2d at 879 (quoting Hillis Homes I, 97 Wn.2d
-10-
Watson, et al. v. City of Seattle, et al., 93723-1
at 809). There is no regulatory language in the text of the Ordinance or evidence of a
regulatory purpose. See CP at 66-79. As the superior court observed, other than
requiring payment of the tax, the Ordinance "does not place any burden or restriction
on the plaintiffs [or] prescribe any activity." Id. at 180. The Ordinance does not limit
retailers in the number or type of firearms and ammunition they can sell, nor does it
restrict what a gun buyer can do with purchased firearms or ammunition.
Nevertheless, Watson urges this court to look past the Ordinance's "textual
wrapping paper," Appellant's Reply Br. at 3, to its alleged regulatory purpose:
"burden[ing] the sale of firearms and ammunition." Id. Watson relies heavily on
"legislative history" to support this analysis, quoting pro-gun-control statements by the
Council's members as evidence that the Ordinance is part of a broader regulatory
scheme to limit gun access. Appellants' Opening Br. at 10-11 (citing CP at 52, 61-62,
88). Watson's argument would unwisely embroil courts in second-guessing the
motives oflawmakers. Statements by "individual legislator[s] do[] not show legislative
intent." State ex rel. Citizens Against Tolls (CAT) v. Murphy, 151 Wn.2d 226,238, 88
P.3d 375 (2004); Seattle Times Co. v. County ofBenton, 99 Wn.2d 251,255 n.1, 661
P.2d 964 (1983) (resort to statements by legislators inappropriate unless "more
substantial" legislative history is unavailable, such as bill reports specific to the statute
-11-
Watson, et al. v. City ofSeattle, et al., 93723-1
before the court). 4 As a tool of statutory interpretation, an examination of legislative
history is intended to supplement textual analysis-not to replace it entirely, as Watson
urges here. See, e.g., Seattle Times, 99 Wash. 2d at 255 n.l. Covell addressed the primacy
of statutory language when differentiating a tax from a fee: classification "turns on a
determination of the primary purpose of the fees as derived from the language of the
authorizing and implementing legislation." 127 Wash. 2d at 886 (emphasis added). Here,
the plain language of the Ordinance states it imposes a "tax." CP at 75.
The second Covell factor is inconclusive. Because revenue is segregated into the
Firearms and Ammunition Tax Fund, this factor initially suggests that the Ordinance
may be a regulation. CP at 78; see also Lane v. City ofSeattle, 164 Wash. 2d 875, 883,
194 P.3d 977 (2008) (segregation into a dedicated account indicates a regulatory fee).
However, segregation of funds is not the only requirement for classification as a fee;
the funds must also be "allocated only to the authorized regulatory purpose." Covell,
127 Wash. 2d at 879. An ordinance with no regulatory language cannot "authorize" a
regulatory purpose, much less dedicate funds to that end. Id. Here, the Ordinance
dedicates the revenue to education and research. CP at 78. Because the Ordinance
segregates funds but allocates them for a nonregulatory purpose, the second factor is
4
Furthermore, even if the entire Council expressed support for gun regulations, it
does not follow that this Ordinance must be a regulation. See, e.g., Samis Land Co., 143
Wash. 2d at 809 (classifying charge as a tax because although it was part of an "overall
regulatory design," the specific purpose of the charge was to raise revenue).
-12-
Watson, et al. v. City ofSeattle, et al., 93723-1
inconclusive. See Okeson, 150 Wash. 2d at 553 (revenue deposited into the city's light
fund, absent a regulatory purpose, is inconclusive); Covell, 127 Wash. 2d at 885
(segregation of funds is "not dispositive").
Watson maintains that the Ordinance does allocate funds to a regulatory purpose,
because it requires the "tracking[] and auditing of the number of firearms and rounds of
ammunition sold by retailers." Appellants' Opening Br. at 11. But Watson does not
explain how requiring retailers to keep sales records for tax purposes-already
mandated by RCW 82.32.070 with respect to the gross receipts tax and sales tax-
constitutes regulation. See id. On this record, the second factor remains inconclusive.
Finally, the third Covell factor also indicates that the Ordinance is a tax. The
Ordinance imposes a flat charge of $25.00 per firearm sold, and $0.02 to $0.05 per
round of ammunition. CP at 76. There does not appear to be a "direct relationship"
between the amount of annual revenue the Ordinance is expected to generate ($300,000
to $500,000, see CP at 135) and the economic burden of gun violence in King County
(roughly $180 million per year, see CP at 66). Covell, 127 Wash. 2d at 879. Moreover, a
flat tax is uniformly applied, while we would expect a regulatory fee to vary according
to the value of the burden or benefit. Id. at 884-85.
Watson advances a more lax interpretation of Covell, noting that a fee may be
regulatory even if it is not individually calculated. See Appellants' Opening Br. at 13
-13-
Watson, et al. v. City ofSeattle, et al., 93723-1
(citing Okeson, 150 Wash. 2d at 554). Watson is correct that a "direct relationship,"
Covell, 127 Wash. 2d at 879, does not mean one that is mathematically precise. 5 See Teter,
104 Wash. 2d at 23 8. However, in this case it does not appear that the Council made any
attempt to correlate the economic burden of gun violence with the revenue generated
by the tax. The record does not reveal how the Council arrived at the tax rate imposed. 6
Under Covell, when these "calculations" are completely absent, the charge is a tax. 127
Wash. 2d at 884 (classifying a flat $2 per unit charge as a tax). Without some mechanism
to ensure the amount paid reflects the payer's burden, there is no '"practical basis'" for
asserting a direct relationship between the two. Id.
In sum, the first and third Covell factors indicate that the Ordinance is a tax, not
a regulation. The second factor is inconclusive. Under Washington law, the Ordinance
is properly classified as a tax. See, e.g., Covell, 127 Wash. 2d at 888; Okeson, 150 Wash. 2d
at 553; Arborwood Idaho, LLC, 151 Wash. 2d at 372-73 (classifying charge as a tax
despite the second Covell factor indicating "fee"). Watson's first argument thus fails:
5
Watson also seems to argue that the direct relationship requirement is satisfied
because the Ordinance will fund programs that "address" the "alleged burdens" created by
Seattle gun sales. Appellants' Opening Br. at 14. This misunderstands the third Covell
factor, which is specifically concerned with determining whether the tax rate was chosen
to offset the economic burden. See Covell, 127 Wash. 2d at 884.
6
It appears the Ordinance was likely modeled after a nearly identical Illinois tax.
See CP at 124-30 (Ex. 1 to Deel. of Laurie Edelstein (ERP, Inc. v. Ali, No. 13 CH 07263,
at 1 (Ill. Cir. Ct. Cook County, Jan. 22, 2014)) (upholding a $25 tax on firearms
purchases)).
-14-
Watson, et al. v. City of Seattle, et al., 93723-1
as a tax, the Ordinance is not facially preempted by state law. See RCW 9.41.290.
However, we must further consider whether the Ordinance exceeds Seattle's municipal
taxation authority.
B. The Ordinance Is Legislatively Authorized
Local taxation must be authorized by a legislative delegation of taxing power.
See WASH. CONST. art. I, § 1. Watson acknowledges that RCW 35.22.280, which
outlines the broad delegation of legislative power to first class cities, authorizes Seattle
to levy local taxes. See Appellants' Opening Br. at 16. However, Watson argues that
RCW 35.21.710 severely limits that authority, requiring business taxes to be uniform,
measured by gross receipts, and capped at a certain rate. See Appellants' Opening Br.
at 17-19. Watson's argument is inconsistent with Washington's constitutional
authorization of local taxing authority and this court's precedent. See Citizens for
Financially Responsible Gov't v. City of Spokane, 99 Wash. 2d 339, 343, 662 P.2d 845
(1983) (holding that RCW 35.22.280(32) delegates broad taxing authority to first class
cities). Further, Watson's statutory analysis is unsupported by RCW 35.21. 710, which
standardizes gross receipts taxes but does not prohibit other forms of taxation.
The Washington State Constitution generally vests taxing power in the state
legislature. See WASH. CONST. art. I, § 1. Municipal corporations have no inherent
power to tax. See Arborwood Idaho, LLC, 151 Wash. 2d at 365-66; 16 EUGENE
-15-
Watson, et al. v. City ofSeattle, et al., 93723-1
MCQUILLIN, THE LAW OF MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS§ 44.5 (3d ed. 2013). However,
the constitution contains at least two important exceptions to the legislature's plenary
taxation authority. First, article VII permits the legislature to delegate tax powers to
cities and towns. See WASH. CONST. art. VII, § 9 ("For all corporate purposes, all
municipal corporations may be vested with authority to assess and collect taxes.").
Second, article XI actively limits the legislature's power by stating that certain taxes
may be assessed only by cities:
The legislature shall have no power to impose taxes upon counties, cities, towns
or other municipal corporations, or upon the inhabitants or property thereof, for
county, city, town, or other municipal purposes, but may, by general laws, vest
in the corporate authorities thereof, the power to assess and collect taxes for
such purposes.
WASH. CONST. art. XI, § 12. Article XI expressly authorizes the legislature to grant
cities the power to levy taxes for "county, city, town, or other municipal purposes." Id.
More significantly, it strips the legislature of the authority to directly impose such taxes.
Only local authorities, exercising duly delegated taxing power, may levy local taxes.
Id.
In part, these provisions reflect Washington's adoption of what scholars refer to
as "home rule"-shorthand for the presumption of autonomy in local governance. See,
e.g., Hugh Spitzer, "!-Jome Rule" vs. "Dillon's Rule" for Washington Cities, 38
SEATTLEU.L. REV. 809 (2015); Citizens for Financially Responsible Gov't, 99 Wash. 2d
at 343 (describing the legislature's delegation of"broad powers" to cities). The "home
-16-
Watson, et al. v. City ofSeattle, et al., 93723-1
rule" principle seeks to increase government accountability by limiting state-level
interference in local affairs. See Spitzer, supra, at 809. This is particularly important
with respect to local taxation authority. See, e.g., Matthew Senechal, Revisiting Granite
Falls: "Why the Seattle Monorail Project Requires Re-examination of Washington's
Prohibition on Taxation without Representation, 29 SEATTLE U. L. REV. 63, 73 (2005)
(noting that "home rule" is "consistent with the deep-seated Anglo-American principle
of keeping taxation as close to the tax-burdened electorate as possible"); Br. of Amicus
Curiae Wash. State Ass 'n of Mun. Att'ys at 3 (establishing the legislature has delegated
local taxing authority "[s]ince the beginning of statehood"). In this context, it is
appropriate for Washington courts to "liberally construe[]" legislative grants of power
to cities, particularly first class cities. Citizens for Financially Responsible Gov 't, 99
Wash. 2d at 343.
RCW 35.22.280(32) Grants Seattle the Authority To Tax Local Businesses
RCW 35.22.280 enumerates the broad legislative powers delegated to first class
cities, including Seattle.7 In part, RCW 35.22.280 empowers Seattle to "grant licenses
for any lawful purpose, and to fix by ordinance the amount to be paid therefor." Id. at
(32). Licensing authority includes the authority to raise revenues by taxing local
businesses. See Citizens for Financially Responsible Gov't, 99 Wash. 2d at 343; Pac. Tel.
7
See RCW 35.22.010 (establishing Seattle as a first class city).
-17-
Watson, et al. v. City ofSeattle, et al., 93723-1
& Tel. Co. v. City ofSeattle, 172 Wash. 649, 654, 21 P.2d 721 (1933), ajf'd, 291 U.S.
300, 54 S. Ct. 383, 78 L. Ed. 810 (1934). This taxation must fall into one of three
categories: property, income, or excise taxes. See WASH. STATE DEP'T OF REVENUE,
TAX REFERENCE MANUAL 3 (Jan. 2010). This court categorizes business license taxes
as excise taxes. See Pac. Tel., 172 Wash. at 654.
As the court explained in Pacific Telephone, the "power granted to the city to
issue licenses is dual: (1) for regulation; (2) for revenue." Id. When the power is
exercised for revenue purposes, licensing is merely the "method provided for raising
the revenues." Id. A tax that is imposed pursuant to this power is an excise because it
is "levied upon the right to do business, not upon the right to exist." Id. The most
common tax paid by Washington businesses, the business and occupation (B&O) tax,
is an excise tax. See TAX REFERENCE MANUAL, supra, at 3 (noting that although a B&O
tax is measured by gross income or receipts, "it is levied on the privilege of engaging
in business and is categorized ... as an excise tax"). In this case, the Ordinance imposes
a different type of excise tax: a flat tax on "the business of making retail sales of firearms
or ammunition." C:P at 76.
A Flat Tax on Firearms and Ammunition Sales Is Not Limited by RCW 35.21. 710
Watson acknowledges that RCW 35.22.280(32) grants Seattle the authority to
impose excise taxes on retailers as a condition of doing business in the city. Appellants'
-18-
Watson, et al. v. City of Seattle, et al., 93723-1
Opening Br. at 16. The tax in this case, a flat tax on the sale of firearms and ammunition,
is an excise tax. See supra Part B. Nevertheless, Watson argues that the Ordinance is
prohibited by RCW 35.21.710, which regulates another type of excise tax: the
municipal B&O tax. Appellants' Opening Br. at 16-17; RCW 35.21.710 (establishing
maximum rate for B&O taxes measured by gross receipts). Watson asserts that all
municipal business license taxes must comply with RCW 35.21.710. Appellants'
Opening Br. at 17-18. Watson's reading ofRCW 35.21.710 is incorrect.
RCW 35 .21. 710 states in part:
Any city which imposes a license fee or tax upon business activities consisting
of the making of retail sales of tangible personal property which are measured
by gross receipts or gross income from such sales, shall impose such tax at a
single uniform rate upon all such business activities. The taxing authority
granted to cities for taxes upon business activities measured by gross receipts or
gross income from sales shall not exceed a rate of .0020.
SEATTLE MUNICIPAL CODE 5.45.050(C) (raising the statutory maximum rate in Seattle
to .00215). Watson argues that the Ordinance violates RCW 35.21.710 because a tax
targeting a single type of retailer is not uniform, and any additional tax on retailers
would exceed the statutory rate. See Appellants' Opening Br. at 19-21. However,
RCW 35.21.710 does not address all city taxes on business activities. By its plain
language, the statute applies only to taxes "which are measured by gross receipts or
gross income." RCW 35.21.710 (emphasis added) (requiring that "such" taxes-i.e.,
-19-
Watson, et al. v. City of Seattle, et al., 93723-1
those measured as a percentage of gross receipts-must be uniform and not exceed the
statutory rate).
The tax in this case is measured differently. The Ordinance imposes a flat $25.00
tax on each gun sold, and a flat $0.02 to $0.05 tax on each round of ammunition,
regardless of price. CP at 76. The tax is calculated on a per unit basis, rather than
measured as a percentage of the retailer's income. Id. Nor does the Ordinance affect
gun retailers' B&O tax rate. By asserting that it does, Watson apparently confuses the
rate of a single tax with gun retailers' aggregate tax burden. See Appellants' Opening
Br. at 24-25. RCW 35.21.710 caps the B&O gross receipts tax rate, not the sum total
of all taxes that can be levied on businesses. Statutory restrictions on one type of tax
should not be misinterpreted as capping a taxpayer's total liability.
Despite the clear statutory language, Watson argues that RCW 35.21.710's
"reference to gross receipts is not ... a limitation on the statute's restriction of local
taxing authority." Id. at 26. Unsurprisingly, Watson provides no support for the
assertion that statutory language should not serve as a "limitation" on statutory
application. Watson also seems to argue that because RCW 35.21.710 was designed to
"restrict the tax rates local governments could assess," the statute impliedly repeals
Seattle's authority to levy all types of taxes on business (other than the B&O tax
discussed). W Telepage, Inc. v. City of Tacoma, 140 Wash. 2d 599, 613, 998 P.2d 884
-20-
Watson, et al. v. City ofSeattle, et al., 93723-1
(2000) (emphasis added); Appellants' Opening Br. at 19. This is incorrect. Restraints
on taxing authority will be found only if there is "specific, express statutory language."
Enter. Leasing, Inc. v. City of Tacoma, 93 Wash. App. 663, 669, 970 P.2d 339 (citing
Commonwealth Title Ins. Co. v. City a/Tacoma, 81 Wn.2d 391,502 P.2d 1024 (1972)),
aff'd, 139 Wash. 2d 546, 988 P.2d 961 (1999). The legislature has not provided such
language here.
Watson's restrictive characterization of municipal taxing authority is
inconsistent with Washington case law. See Puget Sound Energy, Inc. v. City of
Bellingham, 163 Wn. App. 329,337,259 P.3d 345 (2011) (cities may freely define their
taxation categories). Absent restriction, RCW 35.22.280(32) grants Seattle broad
authority to tax retailers for the privilege of doing business within city limits. See
Citizens for Financially Responsible Gov 't, 99 Wash. 2d at 343. 8 To hold otherwise would
significantly restrict constitutionally authorized and legislatively recognized local
8
Nor is RCW 35.22.280(32) Seattle's only statutory grant of taxing authority. RCW
35.22.570 also grants first class cities all powers Title 35 RCW gives to other cities. See
Br. ofResp'ts at 25 n.7. With respect to municipal business taxes, Seattle has the authority
to "collect a license tax for the purposes of revenue and regulation," a power granted to
second class cities. RCW 35.23.440(8). Seattle also possesses the same tax authority
granted to code cities, empowering it to "impose excises for regulation or revenue." RCW
35A.82.020.
-21-
Watson, et al. v. City of Seattle, et al., 93723-1
taxation authority. We decline to do so, and find that the Firearms and Ammunition
Tax is authorized. 9
C. RCW 9.41.290 Does Not Preempt Authorized Municipal Taxes on
Firearm and Ammunition Sales
A state statute preempts an ordinance if the statute occupies the field or if the
statute and the ordinance irreconcilably conflict. See Brown v. City of Yakima, 116
Wash. 2d 556, 559, 807 P.2d 353 (1991); Lawson v. City ofPasco, 168 Wash. 2d 675, 679,
230 P.3d 1038 (2010) ("[A] state statute preempts an ordinance on the same subject if
the statute occupies the field, leaving no room for conc.urrent jurisdiction, or if a conflict
exists such that the statute and the ordinance may not be harmonized."). Field
preemption occurs when there is express legislative intent to occupy the entire field, or
when such intent is necessarily implied. Brown, 116 Wash. 2d at 560. Legislative intent
may be implied from the statute's purpose and factual circumstances. See HJS Dev.,
Inc. v. Pierce County, 148 Wn.2d 451,477, 61 P.3d 1141 (2003). Conflict preemption
occurs when "an ordinance permits what state law forbids or forbids what state law
permits." Lawson, 168 Wash. 2d at 682. An ordinance is constitutionally invalid when it
9 Our conclusion should be understood in the context of the arguments raised in this
case. Watson has not argued that the tax imposed by the Ordinance is confiscatory or
violates due process. We have not been asked to consider the full range of possible
restrictions on municipal authority to tax, much less the natural, political limitations the
City acknowledges. Wash. Supreme Court oral argument, Watson v. City of Seattle, No.
93723-1 (Feb. 16, 2017), at 37 min., 35 sec. through 38 min., 57 sec., video recording by
TVW, Washington State's Public Affairs Network, http://www.tvw.org.
-22-
Watson, et al. v. City ofSeattle, et al., 93723-1
"directly and irreconcilably conflicts with the statute." Brown, 116 Wash. 2d at 561.
However, if the statute and ordinance may be read in harmony, no conflict will be
found. Lawson, 168 Wash. 2d at 682.
The Legislature included clear preemption language in chapter 9.41 RCW:
The state of Washington hereby fally occupies and preempts the entire field of
firearms regulation within the boundaries of the state, including the registration,
licensing, possession, purchase, sale, acquisition, transfer, discharge, and
transportation of firearms .... Cities, towns, and counties or other municipalities
may enact only those laws and ordinances relating to firearms that are
specifically authorized by state law.
RCW 9.41.290 (emphasis added).
Watson argues this language is proof the legislature intended RCW 9.41.290 to
have a "wide and exhaustive" preemptive effect. Appellants' Opening Br. at 32.
Essentially, Watson argues that the legislature has occupied the entire field of gun-
related laws and ordinances unless specifically authorized by state law. Id. We
disagree. First, as explained, regulation is not taxation. RCW 9.41.290 does not
expressly or impliedly preempt taxation. Further, Seattle's broad statutory taxing
authority pursuant to RCW 35.22.280(32) does not conflict with RCW 9.41.290's
narrow regulation of municipal B&O taxes.
Initially, there is no evidence of express preemption. As discussed, the
Ordinance imposes a tax, not a regulation. See supra Part A. On its face, RCW
9.41.290 is inapplicable here because it preempts only the "regulation" of firearms.
-23-
Watson, et al. v. City ofSeattle, et al., 93723-1
RCW 9.41.290 expressly operates in the regulatory context. RCW 9 .41.290 (occupying
the field of "firearms regulations," including regulations relating to the "sale" and
"licensing" of guns). RCW 9.41.290 makes no mention of taxation. In fact, RCW
9 .41.290 's focus on regulation is consistent with its broader statutory context-in all of
chapter 9.41 RCW, the word "tax" appears only once. See RCW 9.41.010 (exempting
unlicensed transfers from sales taxes if the buyer and seller comply with background
check requirements). Legislative silence is a poor foundation on which to build a case
for express field preemption. 10 See, e.g., Brown, 116 Wash. 2d at 560.
In the absence of explicit language preempting taxation, Watson's argument is
best understood as a case for implied field preemption. Watson cites a series of
legislative amendments to chapter 9.41 RCW, each expanding the preemptive scope of
RCW 9.41.290. See Appellants' Opening Br. at 32-33 (citing LAWS OF 1985, ch. 428,
§§ 1-2; LAWS OF 1994, 1st Spec. Sess., ch. 7, §§ 428-429); see also Chan v. City of
Seattle, 164 Wash. App. 549, 551-53, 265 P.3d 169 (2011) (summarizing history).
Watson argues that these legislative changes, each in response to a purported attempt
10 Seattle goes further, urging this court to construe the omission of taxation as
explicit evidence of legislative intent to allow local firearms taxes. See Br. of Resp'ts at
35 (citing Wash. State Republican Party v. Wash. State Pub. Disclosure Comm 'n, 141
Wash. 2d 245, 280, 4 P.3d 808 (2000) ("Where a statute specifically lists the things upon
which it operates, there is a presumption that the legislating body intended all
omissions.")). We do not draw so much from legislative silence, believing this argument
is more appropriate in the context of implied field preemption, discussed infra.
-24-
Watson, et al. v. City ofSeattle, et al., 93723-1
by Washington courts to narrow the preemptive field, "reaffirmed or expanded the all-
inclusive scope ofRCW 9.41.290." Appellants' Opening Br. at 33.
As the State points out in its amicus brief, each of Watson's examples relates
only to regulatory preemption-not taxation. See Amicus Br. of the State of Wash. at
13-14. At issue in each case was an attempt by city government to control or regulate
firearms. See Second Amendment Found. v. City ofRenton, 35 Wn. App. 583,668 P.2d
596 (1983) (firearm possession in bars); City ofSeattle v. Ballsmider, 71 Wash. App. 159,
856 P.2d 1113 (1993) (discharge of firearms in populated areas); Chan, 164 Wash. App.
549 (firearm possession in public parks). Rather than advancing Watson's argument,
these examples further highlight the regulatory focus of chapter 9.41 RCW.
Furthermore, because they address only regulatory preemption, these cases are not
instructive as to whether preemption of firearm taxation is necessarily implied by RCW
9 .41.290. Brown, 116 Wash. 2d at 560. Repeals by implication are disfavored. See State
ex rel. King County v. State Tax Comm'n, 174 Wash. 336,342, 24 P.2d 1094 (1933).
Expanding preemption in one area does not mean that the legislature intended to extend
preemption to other areas.
The statutory purpose and context for chapter 9 .41 RCW also weigh against a
finding of implied field preemption. See HJS Dev., Inc., 148 Wash. 2d at 477 (when
appropriate, field preemption may be inferred from "the purposes of the particular
-25-
Watson, et al. v. City ofSeattle, et al., 93723-1
legislative enactment and [the] facts and circumstances upon which the statute was
intended to operate"). In Cherry v. Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle, this court
found that the purpose of chapter 9.41 RCW was to "advance uniformity in criminal
firearms regulation." 116 Wash. 2d 794, 801, 808 P.2d 746 (1991) (emphasis added).
The statute can achieve this legislative purpose without restricting municipal tax
authority. Moreover, in its statutory context, chapter 9.41 RCW is an exercise of
legislative authority to remove select regulatory powers from Washington's municipal
corporations. The statute thus acts as a limitation on municipal police powers. It does
not follow that chapter 9.41 RCW also restricts cities' taxing power, which relies on a
distinct source of statutory authority. See RCW 35.22.280(32); supra Part B.
When the legislature does intend to preempt taxation, it typically does so
explicitly. For example, RCW 82.02.020 explicitly preempts municipal taxes on
cigarette sales, stating that "the state preempts the field of imposing retail sales and use
taxes and taxes upon ... cigarettes, and no county, town, or other municipal subdivision
shall have the right to impose taxes of that nature." 11 This sounds nothing like the
language used in RCW 9.41.290 ("[t]he state ... fully occupies and preempts the entire
field of firearms regulation"). RCW 82.02.020, by its plain language, preempts
11
RCW 82.02.020 further preempts taxes on building construction and certain types of
gambling. Other statutes provide similar examples of explicit language preempting taxation.
See, e.g., RCW 82.38.280 (prohibiting municipal excise taxes on special fuel); RCW
48.14.020(5) (preempting the field of imposing excise or privilege taxes on insurers).
-26-
Watson, et al. v. City ofSeattle, et al., 93723-1
municipal taxation; RCW 9.41.290, by contrast, contemplates limiting the exercise of
municipal regulatory control over firearms. We decline to infer intent to preempt taxes
from statutory language contemplating regulation. As the Supreme Court of Virginia
observed in a similar case, the legislature is "well aware of how to say taxation when it
means taxation." City of Virginia Beach v. Va. Rest. Ass'n, Inc., 231 Va. 130, 133-34,
341 S.E.2d 198 (1986).
The Illinois Circuit Court, which considered a preemption question nearly
identical to the issue here, came to a similar conclusion. See CP at 127 (ERP, Inc. v.
Ali, No. 13 CH 07263, at 1 (Ill. Cir. Ct. Cook County, Jan. 22, 2014) (holding that an
Illinois statute preempting local '"regulation, licensing, possession, registration, and
transportation'" of firearms did not preempt taxation: "Taxes are conspicuously absent
from the list of measures that are preempted." (quoting 430 ILL. COMP. STAT. 66/90,
65/131))). Virginia Restaurant Ass'n and ERP, Inc., while nonbinding, highlight a
familiar refrain: courts should not speak for the legislature when it can speak for itself.
With respect to chapter 9.41 RCW and the preemption of local firearms taxation, it has
not done so.
Finally, Watson seems to argue that the Ordinance and chapter 9.41 RCW stand
in conflict. See Appellants' Opening Br. at 30. RCW 9.41.290 states that cities "may
enact only those laws and ordinances relating to firearms that are specifically authorized
-27-
Watson, et al. v. City of Seattle, et al., 93723-1
by state law." Watson characterizes the Ordinance as an unauthorized "law passed
directly and exclusively on the sale of firearms and ammunition in the City of Seattle."
Id. By authorizing the tax, reasons Watson, the Ordinance "permits what state law
forbids." Lawson, 168 Wash. 2d at 682.
Watson's argument is unpersuasive. First, it leads to an absurd result: because
no taxation of firearms is "specifically authorized" by chapter 9.41 RCW, Watson's
interpretation would exempt firearms sales from all forms of taxation-including the
basic sales tax and the B&O tax. This is clearly not the statute's effect, and Watson
does not explain how RCW 9 .41.290 can preempt this Ordinance while leaving other
taxes in force. 12 Second, Watson reads the "specifically authorized" sentence out of
context. See Burns v. City of Seattle, 161 Wash. 2d 129, 140, 164 P.3d 475 (2007)
(instructing Washington courts to interpret "the words of a particular provision in the
context of the statute in which they are found"). In context, the meaning is clear:
because the legislature preempted the "regulation" of firearms, all regulatory "laws and
ordinances" must be "specifically authorized." 13 RCW 9.41.290. The operative words
are in the same paragraph, separated by only three lines. Id. We reject Watson's
12 In any event, the tax levied by the Ordinance is authorized-by RCW
35.22.280(32). See supra Part B.
13
The Legislature goes so far as to give an example in the same sentence of RCW
9.41.290: "specifically authorized by state law, as in RCW 9.41.300." RCW 9.41.300 is a
regulatory measure; it prohibits firearms possession in certain locations, and allows cities
to prohibit them in others.
-28-
Watson, et al. v. City ofSeattle, et al., 93723-1
attempt to read them in isolation. See ITT Rayonier, Inc. v. Dalman, 122 Wash. 2d 801,
807, 863 P.2d 64 (1993) ("Statutory provisions must be read in their entirety and
construed together, not piecemeal.").
In sum, we hold that RCW 9.41.290 does not occupy the field of taxation relating
to firearms and ammunition and that the statute and the Ordinance do not irreconcilably
conflict. We hold that RCW 9.41.290 does not preempt the Ordinance.
CONCLUSION
Seattle Ordinance 124833 is constitutionally valid and not preempted by RCW
9 .41.290. Under Covell, the Ordinance imposes a tax because its primary purpose is to
raise revenue for the public benefit. That tax is specifically authorized under RCW
35.22.280(32), which grants first class cities broad tax powers, including the authority
to levy a flat tax on gun sales. Finally, the Ordinance is not preempted by RCW
9 .41.290 because the plain meaning of the statutory text excludes taxation from its
preemptive scope. We affirm the superior court.
-29-
Watson, et al. v. City ofSeattle, et al., 93723-1
WE CONCUR:
-30-
Watson et al. v. City of Seattle
No. 93723-1
GONZALEZ, J. (concurring)-RCW 9.41.290 declares the State's intent to
"preempt[] the entire field of firearms regulation." Phillip Watson and the other
plaintiffs (collectively Watson) argue that the city of Seattle's (City) "tax" on
firearms and ammunition is actually a "regulation" disguised as a tax and therefore
preempted by RCW 9.41.290. I agree with the majority that this "tax" is a tax, but
write separately to discuss the scope of evidence that courts should consider in
deciding whether a fee constitutes a tax or a regulation.
The City's Ordinance 124833 (Ordinance) charges retail purchasers $25.00
for each firearm and either $0.02 or $0.05 for each round of ammunition,
depending on the caliber. The City labeled the Ordinance a "tax," but we do not
take labels at face value. See Okeson v. City of Seattle, 150 Wash. 2d 540, 552, 78
P.3d 1279 (2003) (citing Samis Land Co. v. City of Soap Lake, 143 Wash. 2d 798,
805, 23 P.3d 477 (2001)). Generally, a "regulation" governs conduct and may
incidentally generate revenue, see id. at 551-52 (citing Samis, 143 Wash. 2d at 805),
Watson et al. v. City of Seattle, No. 93723-1 (Gonzalez, J., concurring)
whereas a "tax" generates revenue and may incidentally govern conduct, see id. at
551 (citing Dean v. Lehman, 143 Wash. 2d 12, 25, 18 P.3d 523 (2001)). 1
The majority applies Covell's three-factor test2 to determine if the City
correctly labeled the Ordinance a "tax." While I agree with the dissent that the
Covell test may not be an adequate test in all preemption cases, I ultimately agree
with the majority that Covell is helpful and dispositive in this case involving
alleged regulatory fees. In addition to the three Covell factors, however, a fourth
factor is relevant-the charge' s regulatory effect, separate from its purpose. See
Dean, 143 Wash. 2d at 27 (suggesting a regulatory fee that provided more than an
incidental benefit to the general public could transform the regulation into a tax);
Teter v. Clark County, 104 Wn.2d 227,233, 704 P.2d 1171 (1985) (suggesting a
regulatory fee that was not "incidental" to the regulatory scheme could transform
the regulation into a tax). Although Watson alleges that the "amounts charged to
firearm and ammunition businesses make it impractical or impossible to sell
firearms and ammunition in Seattle," he acknowledges that his allegations are
unsupported by any evidence. 3 Appellants' Opening Br. at 40. If Watson could
1
See Hugh D. Spitzer, Taxes vs. Fees: A Curious Confitsion, 38 GONZ. L. REV. 335,352 (2003)
("Properly understood, regulatory fees are charges to cover the cost of the state's use of its
regulatory powers which can be allocated to those who are either voluntarily or involuntarily
receiving special attention from government regulators." (emphasis omitted)).
2
Covell v. City ofSeattle, 127 Wash. 2d 874, 879, 905 P.2d 324 (1995).
3
In Watson's motion for summary judgment, he distinguished actual regulations from de facto
regulations and attempted to reserve arguments on whether "the Ordinance will result in de facto
regulation of the sale of firearms or ammunition." Clerk's Papers at 31-32 n.2. He repeats that
2
Watson et al. v. City of Seattle, No. 93723-1 (Gonzalez, J., concurring)
prove the Ordinance would cause a significant regulatory effect, such as a stark
drop in firearm sales, or demonstrate that the Ordinance significantly influences
purchasing decisions, he might have a stronger argument that the "tax" is actually a
regulation disguised as a tax. Even so, the outcome in this case may very well be
the same considering Covell' s first and third factors weigh heavily in favor of
classifying the Ordinance as a tax rather than a regulation.
Also, the majority improperly discounts the importance of legislative history
in deciding whether a charge is a tax or regulation. See majority at 11-12.
Evidence of legislative intent to circumvent a state preemption statute is important
evidence that an ordinance may not be what the municipality purports it to be.
Ordinarily, "the court will not go behind the legislative declaration in the absence
of evidence tending to show that the declaration is sham, and that the ordinance is,
in reality, a revenue measure." Kimmel v. City of Spokane, 7 Wash. 2d 372, 374, 109
P.2d 1069 (1941) (emphasis added). But where there is evidence ofpretextual
lawmaking, a different rule applies. In this case, Watson provides evidence that
that the City crafted the Ordinance to avoid statutory preemption, see Appellants'
Opening Br. at 5-6, which necessitates increased judicial scrutiny of the label the
request in this court and urges us to remand for additional discovery should we rule against him.
Appellants' Opening Br. at 40. At that stage, the burden was on Watson to show a disputed issue
of material fact as to whether the tax would have a significant regulatory effect on firearm sales,
which he did not. The trial court's dismissal was proper.
3
Watson et al. v. City of Seattle, No. 93723-1 (Gonzalez, J., concurring)
City applied to the Ordinance. While this case warrants increased scrutiny, such
scrutiny does not mean Watson prevails. Though Watson proves that the City was
conscious of the preemption statute and drafted an ordinance that would avoid
preemption, there is nothing wrong with knowing the law and acting within its
bounds-indeed, it is required. Watson failed to show that the City's tax label is a
sham.
In the alternative to distinguishing taxes from regulations, Watson interprets
"regulation" broadly to include taxation, so that any local tax on firearms or
ammunition would conflict with state law. While taxes could be described as a
form of regulation because taxes certainly can have an incidental regulatory effect,
it is our duty to harmonize state and local laws. Ayers v. City of Tacoma, 6 Wash. 2d
545, 556, 108 P.2d 348 (1940). "A state statute may preempt a local ordinance in
two ways: it will 'preempt[] an ordinance on the same subject if the statute
occupies the field, leaving no room for concurrent jurisdiction, or if a conflict
exists such that the statute and the ordinance may not be harmonized."' Cannabis
Action Coal. v. City ofKent, 183 Wn.2d 219,226,351 P.3d 151 (2015) (alteration
in original) (quoting Lawson v. City ofPasco, 168 Wash. 2d 675,679,230 P.3d 1038
(2010) ). Here, state law is plain and unambiguous; it says the State "fully occupies
and preempts the entire field of firearms regulation." RCW 9 .41.290 (emphasis
4
Watson et al. v. City ofSeattle, No. 93723-1 (Gonzalez, J., concurring)
added). It makes no mention oftaxation. 4 It follows that local taxes on firearms
are permissible, but local firearm regulations are not.
In sum, I concur. The City's firearm tax is lawful. The record does not
contain evidence that the City intended for this "tax" to be a regulation or that this
"tax" had a significant regulatory effect.
4
Notably, chapter 9.41 RCW does not address taxation and our constitution distinguishes a local
government's taxing authority from regulatory authority. CONST. art. XI,§§ 11, 12.
5
Watson et al. v. City of Seattle, No. 93723-1 (Gonzalez, J., concurring)
6
Watson et al. v. City of Seattle, 93 723-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)
No. 93723-1
GORDON McCLOUD, J. (dissenting)-As the majority acknowledges,
"RCW 9 .41.290 forbids the local regulation of guns." Majority at 2. It is an explicit
preemption provision; the statute "preempts the entire field of firearms regulation."
RCW 9.41.290. It is a complete preemption provision; the statute says, "The State
of Washington hereby fully occupies and preempts the entire field of firearms
regulation .... " Id. And it is an expansive preemption provision; the legislature
has amended it to bar more and more local activity in the firearms field over the last
3 0 years. It now preempts not just local regulations, but local "laws and ordinances"
of all kinds that "relat[e] to firearms." Id. Seattle Ordinance 124833 is clearly a
local "law[] or ordinance[]," and it clearly "relat[ es] to firearms." It is therefore
clearly preempted.
The majority reaches a different conclusion because it holds that this
ordinance is not a regulatory fee under the Covell 1 factors and so it must, instead, be
a tax. Majority at 10-15. And I agree completely with the majority's conclusion on
1 Covell v. City ofSeattle, 127 Wash. 2d 874, 879, 905 P.2d 324 (1995).
1
Watson et al. v. City a/Seattle, 93723-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)
that Covell point. But Covell was designed to distinguish between property taxes,
which must be "uniform upon the same class of property," WASH. CONST. art. VII,
§ 1, and regulatory charges, which are not subject to that uniformity mandate. Covell
was not designed to distinguish between regulations, "laws[,] and ordinances" that
are preempted by a specific statute on the one hand, and taxes on the other. When
statutory preemption is at issue, we use a different inquiry.
That different inquiry centers on the language of the preemption statute itself.
Here, RCW 9.41.290 uses deliberately broad language that clearly encompasses both
regulations and "laws and ordinances" if they have any relationship to "the
registration, licensing, possession, purchase, sale, acquisition, transfer, discharge,
and transportation of firearms, or any other element relating to fireanns or parts
thereof." RCW 9.41.290. Seattle Ordinance 124833 has a very close relationship
with the "purchase, sale, acquisition, [and] transfer" of firearms--it targets them!
Thus, while a uniform local tax that incidentally hits on sales of this product (while
taxing various and sundry products) might not have a sufficient relationship with
firearms to suffer preemption, this ordinance-which targets only firearms-
certainly does. I therefore respectfully dissent.
2
Watson et al. v. City of Seattle, 93723-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)
ANALYSIS
When conducting statutory analysis, we start with the plain language of the
statute. Davis v. Cox, 183 Wn.2d 269,280,351 P.3d 862 (2015) (citing Eubanks v.
Brown, 180 Wn.2d 590,597,327 P.3d 635 (2014)). RCW 9.41.290, the preemption
statute at issue here, provides in relevant part:
The state of Washington hereby fully occupies and preempts the entire
field of firearms regulation within the boundaries of the state, including
the registration, licensing, possession, purchase, sale, acquisition,
transfer, discharge, and transportation of firearms, or any other element
relating to firearms or parts thereof. . . . Cities, towns, and counties or
other municipalities may enact only those laws and ordinances relating
to firearms that are specifically authorized by state law, as in RCW
9.41.300, and are consistent with this chapter. Such local ordinances
shall have the same penalty as provided for by state law. Local laws
and ordinances that are inconsistent with, more restrictive than, or
exceed the requirements of state law shall not be enacted and are
preempted and repealed, regardless of the nature of the code, charter,
or home rule status of such city, town, county, or municipality.
(Emphasis added.)
The breadth of the statute in its current form is apparent from this plain
language. Indeed, since the legislature enacted chapter 9.41 RCW in 1983, it has
amended this statute three times, each time directly in response to an ordinance or
judicial decision attempting to limit the statute's scope. See Chan v. City of Seattle,
164 Wash. App. 549, 551-53, 265 P.3d 169 (2011) (reciting history of legislative
amendments). And each time, the legislature has only broadened the statute's
3
Watson et al. v. City of Seattle, 93723-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)
scope-reducing local governments' ability to legislate regarding :firearms, not
expanding it. See LAWS OF 1994, 1st Spec. Sess., ch. 7, § 429(2); City of Seattle v.
Ballsmider, 71 Wash. App. 159,163,856 P.2d 1113 (1993); LAWS OF 1985, ch. 428,
§ 1; Second Amendment Found. v. City of Renton, 35 Wn. App. 583,588,668 P.2d
596 (1983); LAWS OF 1983, ch. 232, § 12. Most recently, our Court of Appeals
recognized that RCW 9.41.290's broad language preempted the city of Seattle's
attempt to limit :firearms in public parks. Chan, 164 Wash. App. at 562.
The question in this case, therefore, is whether Seattle's latest attempt is
fundamentally different from the one rejected in Chan. The city of Seattle certainly
tried to avoid language that would obviously trigger the preemption statute. See,
e.g., Clerk's Papers at 61. But the answer to this question does not depend-as the
majority sug~ests-on whether the ordinance should be labeled a regulation or a tax
under a legal test designed for a different purpose. Instead, it depends on the
language of the statute. I find three key phrases relevant to determining whether the
legislature intended RCW 9 .41.290 to reach the :firearm-specific tax at issue here. I
address each one in turn.
1. RCW 9 .41.290 Preemption Extends to All Laws "Relating to" Firearms
RCW 9.41.290 preempts all local laws "relating to :firearms" that are
"inconsistent with, more restrictive than, or exceed the requirements of state law."
4
Watson et al. v. City of Seattle, 93723-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)
"Relating to" is an extremely broad prepositional phrase. 2 See Smith v. United
States, 508 U.S. 223,229, 113 S. Ct. 2050, 124 L. Ed. 2d 138 (1993); Shaw v. Delta
Air Lines, Inc., 463 U.S. 85, 96-97, 103 S. Ct. 2890, 77 L. Ed. 2d 490 (1983)
(concluding with "no difficulty" that the words "relate to" in BRISA (Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, Pub. L. No. 93-406, 88 Stat. 829)
encompass and preempt general state anti discrimination laws). Indeed, in Smith, the
Court interpreted a statutory provision penalizing use of a firearm '" during and in
relation to"' a crime so broadly that it was held to encompass the exchange of a
firearm for drugs. 508 U.S. at 229.
I see no reason why that language would be subject to a narrower reading here.
Starting with this statutory language, Seattle Ordinance 124833 's charge of $25.00
per firearm and $0.02 to $0.05 per round of ammunition certainly "relat[es] to
firearms."
2. RCW 9.41.290 Preempts Not Just Local "Regulations" but All "Laws and
Ordinances"
As the majority points out, RCW 9 .41.290 uses the term "firearms regulation."
On that basis, the majority concludes that RCW 9.41.290 "preempts only the
2
This phrase appears in the statute twice. See RCW 9 .41.290 ("or any other element
relating to firearms or parts thereof'; "[ c]ities ... may enact only those laws and
ordinances relating to firearms that are specifically authorized by state law").
5
Watson et al. v. City of Seattle, 93723-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)
'regulation' of firearms" and holds that "regulation is not taxation." Majority at 23.
It bases this assertion on its analysis of the Covell factors.
As noted above, I agree that under Covell, the ordinance should be considered
a tax and not a regulatory fee for certain purposes; specifically, for purposes of
determining whether the state constitutional "uniform[ity]" requirement applies.
The majority acknowledges that this is the provenance and purpose of the Covell
analysis, majority at 7, as indeed it must. See Okeson v. City of Seattle, 150 Wash. 2d
540, 551, 78 P.3d 1279 (2003) (local governments can impose fees under general
police powers but may not impose taxes "without statutory or constitutional
authority" ( citing Covell, 127 Wash. 2d at 879)).
But distinguishing between legislation subject to the constitutional uniformity
requirement and legislation free from that requirement is very different from
deciding whether a specifically worded preemption statute reaches firearm-specific
taxes. The answer to the preemption question is located in the preemption statute at
issue, not the "uniform[ity]" mandate, which is not at issue.
And the preemption statute at issue here explicitly states that it "fully occupies
and preempts the entire field of firearms regulation." RCW 9.41.290. It also clearly
targets not only "regulations" in the narrow i sense, but all "[l]ocal laws and
6
Watson et al. v. City of Seattle, 93723-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)
ordinances ... regardless of the nature of the code, charter, or home rule status of
such city, town, county, or municipality." RCW 9.41.290.
This statutory language therefore encompasses within its preemptive scope
not just "regulation[ s]" in the narrow sense. It encompasses any legislative action a
municipality could take. It is a well-settled principle of statutory interpretation that
"a single word in a statute should not be read in isolation, and that "'the meaning of
words may be indicated or controlled by those with which they are associated."'"
State v. Roggenkamp, 153 Wash. 2d 614, 623, 106 P.3d 196 (2005) (quoting State v.
Jackson, 137 Wn.2d 712,729,976 P.2d 1229 (1999) (quoting Ball v. Stokely Foods,
Inc., 37 Wash. 2d 79, 87-88, 221 P.2d 832 (1950))). The statute's later inclusion of the
broader language reaching "laws and ordinances" must therefore inform our reading
of the word "regulation"-and how broadly or narrowly that word is understood.
It is also well established that "we interpret a statute to give effect to all
language, so as to render no portion meaningless or superfluous." Rivard v. State,
168 Wn.2d 775,783,231 P.3d 186 (2010). But in focusing exclusively on the word
"regulation"-and ignoring the legislature's subsequent statement that RCW
9 .41.290 also reaches other "laws and ordinances"-the majority does just that: it
reads the broader words "laws and ordinances" out of the statute entirely.
7
Watson et al. v. City of Seattle, 93723-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)
The majority's holding also ignores cases in which our courts have analyzed
RCW 9.41.290's impact on far more than just pure "regulations" in the narrow
sense-including cases where the "regulation" at issue was a '"Rule/Policy"' issued
by a city parks department, Chan, 164 Wash. App. at 555; a criminal violation of the
Seattle Municipal Code, Ballsmider, 71 Wash. App. at 160; or a common law cause of
action recognized in other states, Knott v. Liberty Jewelry & Loan, Inc., 50 Wash. App.
267, 276, 748 P.2d 661 (1988).
I would instead read the word "regulation" to encompass this ordinance,
which singles out the "purchase, sale, acquisition, [and] transfer" of firearms and
ammunition, and which clearly falls within the legislature's broader "laws and
ordinances" language. RCW 9 .41.290.
3. RCW 9 .41.290' s List of Preemption Topics Is Illustrative, Not Exclusive
A third key term-"including"-also shows the breadth of the statute's
preemptive reach. We have recognized that when the legislature uses the word
"including" before a list of examples, it "plainly establishes" them to be "illustrative
examples rather than an exhaustive list." State v. Larson, 184 Wash. 2d 843, 849, 365
P.3d 740 (2015) (statutory language '"including, but not limited to"' indicated
illustrative, not exhaustive, list); see also Fed. Land Bank of St. Paul v. Bismarck
Lumber Co., 314 U.S. 95,100, 62 S. Ct. 1, 86 L. Ed. 65 (1941) ("the term 'including'
8
Watson et al. v. City of Seattle, 93723-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)
is not one of all-embracing definition, but connotes simply an illustrative application
of the general principle" (citing Phelps Dodge Corp. v. Nat'! Labor Relations Ed.,
313 U.S. 177, 189, 61 S. Ct. 845, 85 L. Ed. 1271 (1941))). The legislature used the
word "including" twice in RCW 9.41.290. This shows that the list of preempted
topics is illustrative, not exclusive.
CONCLUSION
RCW 9 .41.290' s plain language demonstrates clear legislative intent to
preempt local "laws and ordinances" that "relat[ e] to firearms" as broadly as
possible. A city tax that singles out the sale of firearms and ammunition for
disadvantageous treatment is therefore preempted. I respectfully dissent.
9
Watson et al. v. City of Seattle, 93 723-1
(Gordon McCloud, J., dissenting)
j
10