Budget & Taxes

passed · Washington · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1073: Keeping our Washington national guard strong act.

HB 1073 creates the Washington National Guard Retention Program to help the state retain military personnel. It directs the Adjutant General to study retention needs - such as length of service and critical skills - and determine reenlistment bonuses to encourage members to extend their service. The program requires clear eligibility criteria and bonus payment schedules, with the state military department mandated to report on retention needs to the governor and legislature every three years starting in 2027. The bill directly affects Washington National Guard members who may qualify for reenlistment bonuses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates state funding for National Guard reenlistment bonuses, directly advancing government spending on military retention through appropriations and reporting requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1043: Extending the commute trip reduction tax credit.

HB 1043 extends the state's commute trip reduction tax credit program for employers and property managers until 2035. This program allows eligible entities to claim a tax credit for providing financial incentives to employees who use alternative commuting methods like ride-sharing, public transportation, car-sharing, or non-motorized transport. The bill changes the credit calculation so that the full amount paid to or on behalf of an employee, up to $60 per employee annually, can be credited (previously 50%). It also reduces the maximum credit a single entity can claim per fiscal year from $100,000 to $50,000.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends tax credit program for employers, providing tax relief under state fiscal policy to incentivize sustainable commuting methods.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPromotes alternative commuting methods (public transit, car-sharing), reducing fossil fuel dependence in transportation, aligning with energy efficiency goals.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends tax credit for alternative commuting methods (public transit, carpooling), reducing vehicle emissions and promoting sustainable transportation.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExtends tax credit for employer incentives promoting public transit, ride-sharing, and sustainable commuting, directly advancing sustainable transportation policies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5138: Concerning public facilities districts.

Senate Bill 5138 updates the authority of public facilities districts (PFDs) to impose lodging taxes. It revises the minimum number of lodging units required for tax applicability and introduces new tax structures for PFDs in counties with populations over 1.5 million that operate convention and trade centers. These specific PFDs can impose lodging taxes up to 7% in their largest city and 2.8% in other areas. The bill also authorizes an additional 2% lodging tax, expiring by July 2029, specifically to repay obligations related to convention center projects. PFDs imposing this additional tax must make annual payments to the state, with provisions for loans if unable to meet these payments due to debt.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes increased lodging tax rates (up to 7% + 2% expiring 2029) for PFDs, strengthening tax authority to fund public facilities and convention centers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5161: Making transportation appropriations for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium.

SB 5161 establishes the transportation budget for Washington State for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, allocating funds to various state agencies for infrastructure and services. It appropriates specific amounts from designated accounts to cover employee compensation, capital projects, and operational expenses across multiple state departments. Key provisions include funding for road maintenance and programs designed to increase opportunities for women and minority-owned businesses in the transportation sector. Additionally, the bill funds a tribal electric boat grant program and supports a sustainable aviation fuel institute.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds for transportation infrastructure and operations, directly implementing budgetary appropriations for public services per fiscal management guidelines.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly allocates funds for road maintenance and transportation infrastructure projects per summary, directly advancing transportation funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5314: Modifying the capital gains tax.

SB 5314 modifies Washington's capital gains tax by updating several provisions. It replaces an expiring business and occupation tax credit with a new, nonrefundable capital gains tax credit, designed to prevent double taxation on the same sale or exchange. The bill also clarifies definitions related to capital gains and losses, ensures consistent treatment for spouses and domestic partners, and establishes a late payment penalty waiver. Additionally, it introduces new reporting requirements for brokers and barter exchanges. These modifications are not estimated to change overall state or local tax collections.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents double taxation on capital gains by replacing an expiring credit with a new nonrefundable credit, promoting fiscal fairness and closing a potential tax loophole.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5195: Concerning the capital budget.

SB 5195 adopts the capital budget for the state of Washington for the period ending June 30, 2027. This bill appropriates specific dollar amounts from various state funds to be spent on capital projects. Key provisions include funding for infrastructure improvements like the Puget Sound Regional Archives HVAC system and allocations for hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It also provides grants for the development, expansion, and renovation of public and private early learning education facilities. This bill directly affects state agencies, educational institutions, and communities benefiting from these capital investments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directly appropriates funds for capital projects including infrastructure and early learning facilities, aligning with 'funds essential programs' under budget & taxes support indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5194: Concerning state general obligation bonds and related accounts.

SB 5194 authorizes the state of Washington to issue nearly $4.7 billion in general obligation bonds. These bonds will finance various state capital projects outlined in the 2023-2025 and 2025-2027 fiscal biennia and future biennia. The proceeds are deposited into state building construction accounts and then transferred to specific accounts, including those for outdoor recreation, habitat conservation, farm and forest preservation, and early learning facilities. The state pledges its full faith and credit for repayment, using general state revenues to cover the principal and interest on these bonds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $4.7B in bonds to fund capital projects including recreation, conservation, and education facilities, advancing state budget priorities through targeted appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds early learning facilities, a direct educational infrastructure investment under bond proceeds for state capital projects.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds habitat conservation, farm/forest preservation, and outdoor recreation accounts from bond proceeds, directly advancing environmental protection priorities.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Washington · House May 19, 2025

HB 2047: Eliminating the Washington employee ownership program.

HB 2047 phases out the Washington employee ownership program. It shortens the period during which businesses can earn tax credits for converting to worker-owned cooperatives, employee ownership trusts, or employee stock ownership plans, moving the deadline for earning credits from June 30, 2029, to June 30, 2025. The bill also makes the program's activities, such as providing technical support and referrals, contingent upon specific funding appropriations. The tax credit provisions are set to expire earlier, effectively eliminating these incentives for businesses.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesPhases out tax credits for worker-owned businesses, reducing tax incentives and making program funding contingent on annual appropriations.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentPhases out tax credits for worker-owned cooperatives, restricting employee ownership program access and funding continuity.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Washington · House May 19, 2025

HB 1848: Concerning services and supports for individuals with traumatic brain injuries.

House Bill 1848 aims to enhance services and supports for individuals living with traumatic brain injuries and their families in Washington State. The bill seeks to rebalance funding priorities to better support in-person support groups and community integration programs, which the legislature identified as underfunded. To generate additional revenue for these services, it increases a specific fee assessed on traffic infractions from $5 to $10. This increased revenue will be deposited into the state's traumatic brain injury account.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases traffic infraction fee from $5 to $10 to fund brain injury services, directly generating revenue for public programs.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Washington · House May 17, 2025

HB 1109: Concerning public facilities districts.

House Bill 1109 modifies the regulations for public facilities districts concerning their authority to impose sales and use taxes. It extends the maximum period for collecting these taxes from 40 years to 55 years when used to finance or refinance regional centers and related parking facilities. The bill also specifies the conditions under which certain public facilities districts are eligible to impose these taxes and allows them to increase their tax rates to mitigate documented revenue losses from past legislative changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends tax collection period and allows rate increases to address revenue shortfalls for public facilities districts, enabling sustained funding for infrastructure projects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes