HB 1261 Washington House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Providing tax relief for certain incidental uses on open space land.

House Bill 1261 provides tax relief for landowners by clarifying the types of incidental uses permitted on properties classified as "farm and agricultural land." The bill amends existing law to remove the previous 20% limit on incidental uses and the requirement that these uses must be compatible with agricultural purposes. This change allows property owners to have a broader range of incidental activities and necessary structures on their agricultural land while maintaining their open space tax classification. This offers greater flexibility for those participating in state open space taxation programs.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Jan 14, 2025 Signed Apr 22, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute Bill Substitute Passed Legislature · 2 edits
MINOR
The document was updated from a draft 'Substitute Bill' to the official 'Certificate of Enrollment' certifying that the bill has been passed by both the House and Senate. This change adds formal certification of passage dates, vote counts, and signatures from legislative officers, confirming the bill is now ready for the Governor's signature.
ENFORCEMENT

Added official certification of enrollment including passage dates, vote tallies, and signatures from the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate.

TECHNICAL

Included the title 'Certificate of Enrollment' and the name of the Chief Clerk to validate the bill's final legislative status.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 14, 2025 · House Mar 7, 2025

How they voted

510
Passed
Total votes 51
Apr 14, 2025
D Democratic31
31 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican20
20 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
31
Key actions
14
Committee
12
Apr 22, 2025
Signed into law
Governor signed.
executive
Apr 16, 2025
Upper · Passed
President signed.
upper
Apr 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Speaker signed.
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (51-0)
senate
Apr 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Minority; without recommendation.
upper
Apr 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
WM - Majority; do pass.
upper
Apr 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM.
upper
Mar 25, 2025
Committee
Referred to Ways & Means.
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Committee
And refer to Ways & Means.
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
ANR - Majority; do pass.
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources at 1:30 PM.
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources at 1:30 PM.
upper
Mar 7, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (99-0-1)
house
Feb 20, 2025
Committee
Referred to Rules 2 Review.
lower
Feb 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00 AM.
lower
Jan 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00 AM.
lower
1 primary · 3 co-sponsors

Sponsors