SB 6129 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning the taxation of cigarettes and other nicotine products.

SB 6129 expands Washington State's tobacco tax to include all nicotine products (excluding cigarettes and FDA-approved cessation products) by redefining "nicotine product" to cover any item containing nicotine or nicotine analogues, regardless of form. It introduces new categories like "flavored nicotine product" (defined by non-tobacco tastes/smells or cooling sensations) and creates specific tax rules for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. The bill amends multiple tax statutes to apply these rules consistently across the supply chain, requiring businesses to pay tax based on the actual price of nicotine products sold. This directly affects businesses selling e-cigarettes, vapes, nicotine pouches, and other non-cigarette nicotine products within the state.

Issues: ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Last action Mar 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute Bill → Engrossed Substitute Bill · 2 edits · Feb 28, 2026

MINOR

The bill was updated to its final version (Engrossed), expanding its scope to include vapor products and other tobacco/nicotine items in addition to cigarettes. The most significant substantive change is the shift in the effective date for major sections of the act from July 1, 2027, to January 1, 2027, accelerating the implementation of new tax rules.

Scope change

The bill's scope was broadened to explicitly cover vapor products and other products containing tobacco or nicotine, whereas the previous version only mentioned cigarettes and other nicotine products.

TIMELINE

The effective date for Sections 101 through 126 and 502 through 506 was moved forward from July 1, 2027, to January 1, 2027.

SCOPE

The bill title and summary were updated to include 'vapor products' and 'other products containing tobacco or nicotine' to broaden the range of taxed items.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 28, 2026

How they voted

27–23

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 51

Feb 28, 2026

D Democratic31

25 Yea 6 Nay

80% Yea

R Republican20

2 Yea 17 Nay 1

85% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 7, 2026

Lower · Passed

Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the House Committee on Finance at 9:00 AM.

lower

Mar 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00 AM.

lower

Feb 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

Floor amendment(s) adopted.

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4:00 PM.

upper

Jan 22, 2026

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4:00 PM.

upper

1 primary · 5 co-sponsors