Budget & Taxes

passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 5832: Updating the arbitration fee collected for the new motor vehicle arbitration account.

SB 5832 increases the arbitration fee for new motor vehicle disputes from $3 to $6, collected by dealers or lessors from consumers during vehicle sales or leases. The fee funds the new motor vehicle arbitration account in the state treasury, managed by the Department of Licensing for dispute resolution under this chapter. The bill also requires the Attorney General to annually report on account revenue and expenses. This change directly affects new vehicle dealers, lessors, and consumers purchasing or leasing vehicles in Washington. The bill amends RCW 19.118.110 to update the fee amount and reporting requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state revenue via $3 fee hike for vehicle arbitration, directly funding state treasury account per bill's funding mechanism.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 5879: Modifying joint legislative audit and review committee work plans to ensure efficient use of staff resources.

This bill amends two existing laws to improve reporting and oversight of public funds. It requires tourism-related applicants (e.g., convention bureaus, nonprofits) to submit travel estimates showing how lodging tax funds will attract visitors traveling 50+ miles or overnight, and mandates annual reports to municipalities on actual visitor numbers. It also directs the joint legislative audit committee to conduct biennial reviews of lodging tax usage and requires detailed annual reports from the employment security department on training benefits program outcomes, including participant demographics, training effectiveness, and wage impacts. These changes aim to ensure transparency and accountability in how tourism and workforce development funds are spent. The bill does not directly affect individual residents but applies to municipalities, tourism organizations, and state agencies managing these programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires detailed reporting and biennial reviews of lodging tax usage to ensure efficient fund allocation, promoting fiscal responsibility through enhanced oversight.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 5901: Providing school construction assistance program facilities support for on-base schools.

This bill amends Washington's school construction funding formula to specifically exclude military base school facilities from a district's available space count when calculating state assistance. It directly affects school districts operating schools on military bases, ensuring these facilities don't reduce their eligibility for state construction funds. The key change modifies the funding formula to treat on-base schools separately, potentially increasing their state funding share by not counting these spaces against their capacity. This adjustment aims to better support districts with military-connected students under the state's school construction program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesModifies school funding formula to increase state assistance for military base schools by excluding their facilities from space count, advancing public school construction funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExcludes military base schools from space count, increasing state construction funding eligibility for those districts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Washington · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1833: Creating an artificial intelligence grant program.

House Bill 1833 establishes the Spark Act Grant Program in Washington state, designed to support startups, research institutions, and companies developing innovative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The Department of Commerce will administer these grants, which will be funded through a dedicated account receiving legislative appropriations, private donations, and federal funds. Grants will be awarded annually, prioritizing applicants committed to ethical AI use, risk analysis, small businesses, and projects with statewide impact such as wildfire tracking, cybersecurity, or healthcare advancements. Eligible applicants must propose technology that will be shared with and provide a benefit to the state, with the program's progress and impact reported biennially.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state budget funds via legislative appropriations to establish AI grant program, advancing fiscal support for innovation through dedicated funding mechanisms.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEstablishes grant program funding AI startups and research, prioritizing ethical development. Directly advances AI technology through financial support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 5286: Concerning policing costs driven by proximity to state hospitals.

Senate Bill 5286 establishes a community partnership program between the Department of Social and Health Services and the city of Medical Lake to support policing efforts at Eastern State Hospital and adjacent areas. It also formally recognizes and continues an existing partnership with the city of Lakewood for Western State Hospital. The bill mandates annual state funding for these programs, with amounts determined in the biennial budget based on anticipated service levels and costs. Furthermore, it requires the department to collect data from both cities on fund usage and call responses, submitting an annual report to relevant state offices.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates annual state funding for policing partnerships at state hospitals, ensuring continued fiscal support for public safety services within budget framework.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 5649: Creating a Washington state supply chain competitiveness infrastructure program.

SB 5649 establishes the Washington state supply chain competitiveness infrastructure program to enhance the state's ability to compete in global trade. The bill creates a collaborative process involving state agencies and various supply chain stakeholders to set priorities for infrastructure investments. It also creates a dedicated account in the state treasury to provide grants and revolving loans. These funds are for public ports and federally recognized tribal governments with port operations, to improve ground and maritime transportation and facilities. Projects must align with goals such as economic, safety, or environmental benefits for freight movement, and sustaining international trade.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated treasury account for infrastructure grants/loans, allocating state funds to support supply chain projects and public ports.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds port infrastructure (a transportation component) via grants/loans for public ports and tribal governments, directly advancing transportation infrastructure investment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 5647: Providing a real estate excise tax exemption for the sale of qualified affordable housing.

Senate Bill 5647 establishes a new exemption from the real estate excise tax for the sale of properties designated as "qualified affordable housing." This means that sellers of these specific types of affordable homes would not be required to pay this tax. The bill achieves this by amending the existing state law that defines what constitutes a "sale" for real estate excise tax purposes, adding this new category of exempt transactions. This policy change aims to reduce the tax burden associated with the sale of affordable housing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts affordable housing sales from real estate tax, reducing burden on lower-income sellers, aligns with tax relief for middle/lower income.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts affordable housing sales from real estate tax, reducing seller costs to encourage development and increase affordable housing supply.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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signed · Washington · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2543: Concerning county clerk fees.

HB 2543 amends Washington State's county clerk fee structure, primarily affecting individuals filing family law cases and court documents. The key provision requires a $54 fee for initial divorce, legal separation, or marriage validity petitions, with $48 directed to the state domestic violence prevention account and $6 retained by counties (minus 5% for court admin). It also adjusts fees for jury demands ($125/$250), certified document copies ($5/page), and electronic exhibits ($25), while adding reporting requirements for county domestic violence service funding. These changes directly impact court users, counties, and state programs focused on domestic violence prevention.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs $48 of $54 fee to domestic violence prevention fund, increasing state funding for essential services without tax increases for individuals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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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passed · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1600: Modifying the fee to support family services.

House Bill 1600 proposes to modify the additional fee that counties may impose on marriage licenses. Currently, counties can charge an additional fee of up to fifteen dollars to support family services. This bill would increase the maximum allowable additional fee to thirty dollars. The funds collected from this fee would continue to be used for family services, such as family support centers. This change directly affects individuals applying for marriage licenses in counties that choose to implement the increased fee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases county fee cap from $15 to $30 for family services funding, directly boosting revenue for public programs under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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