SB 6149 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning the definition of "rural county" for purposes of public facilities funding.

SB 6149 updates Washington state's definition of "rural county" to determine eligibility for a dedicated sales tax funding public facilities. A county qualifies as rural if it has fewer than 100 people per square mile, lacks any city over 45,000 residents, or is smaller than 225 square miles. Rural counties can then impose a sales tax (up to 0.09%, or 0.04% for certain counties) to fund public facilities supporting job creation, affordable workforce housing, or economic development offices. Funds must be used for specific projects listed in economic development plans and reported annually to ensure alignment with job growth and housing goals.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Signed Mar 14, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute Bill Substitute Passed Legislature · 3 edits
MINOR
The document was converted from a draft legislative bill into a formal certification of enrollment, confirming that the bill has been passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives. This change shifts the document's purpose from proposing new laws to officially certifying that the legislative process is complete and the bill is ready for the Governor's signature.
ENFORCEMENT

Added certification text confirming the bill passed the Senate with 48 yeas and 1 nay, and the House with 93 yeas and 1 nay.

Added a certificate signed by the Secretary of the Senate attesting to the bill's passage and official status.

TECHNICAL

Removed the draft bill number 'S-4500.1' and replaced it with the official title 'CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT'.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 16, 2026 · House Mar 3, 2026

How they voted

501
Passed
Total votes 51
Feb 16, 2026
D Democratic31
30 Yea 1 Nay
96% Yea
R Republican20
20 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
25
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Mar 14, 2026
Signed into law
Governor signed.
executive
Mar 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Speaker signed.
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
President signed.
upper
Mar 3, 2026
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (95-1-4)
house
Feb 25, 2026
Committee
Referred to Rules 2 Review.
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
TEDV - Majority; do pass.
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans at 8:00 AM.
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans at 10:30 AM.
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (50-1)
senate
Feb 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Business, Trade & Economic Development at 8:00 AM.
upper
Jan 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Business, Trade & Economic Development at 8:00 AM.
upper
1 primary · 3 co-sponsors

Sponsors