Budget & Taxes (Revenue)

in committee · Washington · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 2733: Limiting operational expenditures for tourism-related facilities owned or operated by municipalities and public facilities districts.

HB 2733 limits how municipalities and public facilities districts can spend lodging tax revenues on tourism facilities, capping operational support at 5% of annual lodging tax revenue. It requires applicants to demonstrate how funds will increase tourism by showing projected travel patterns (e.g., overnight stays away from home or trips over 50 miles). Municipalities must use a local advisory committee to review applications and approve funding based on these projections, and recipients must report actual tourism impacts annually. The bill also mandates public reporting of these results to local governments and the legislature.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCapping operational spending at 5% of lodging tax revenue restricts municipal budget allocation for tourism facilities, directly limiting expenditure from tax revenues.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Revenue Tax Incentives

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in committee · Washington · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 2734: Creating a hunger free Washington through a sugar-sweetened beverage tax and precluding a supplemental nutrition assistance program waiver.

HB 2734 imposes an excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (like soda and energy drinks) to fund nutrition assistance programs. The tax revenue would directly support the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), food assistance programs, and fruit/vegetable incentive initiatives for low-income residents. The bill specifically prevents state-level waivers that could reduce SNAP funding, ensuring dedicated revenue for food security. It aims to reduce consumption of sugary drinks while addressing disproportionate food insecurity affecting communities of color and low-income households in Washington.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes excise tax on sugary drinks to fund SNAP and nutrition programs, directly increasing state revenue allocation for essential services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds SNAP and nutrition programs via soda tax, directly supporting public health initiatives and food security for low-income residents, aligning with healthcare funding indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 5989: Concerning the distribution of aircraft fuel tax revenue.

SB 5989 changes how Washington State distributes revenue from aircraft fuel taxes. Starting July 2026, 0.5% of this tax (increasing to 1% after 2027) will fund the aeronautics account for aviation projects, while the remaining 6.5% minus that amount goes to the state general fund. The bill requires the Department of Transportation's aviation division to track and annually report on airport projects funded through this account, including state grants, federal matching funds, and local contributions. These reports must detail each project's description, funding sources, and outcomes for the legislature. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and mandates ongoing transparency about how these funds support airport infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects aircraft fuel tax revenue to dedicated aviation projects with tracking requirements, ensuring fiscal accountability for infrastructure funding within budget management.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationDedicates aircraft fuel tax revenue to aviation projects via aeronautics account, directly funding transportation infrastructure as required by DOT aviation division.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue State Budget Airports Transportation Funding

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in committee · Washington · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 2528: Creating uniformity for the process by which cities planning under the growth management act implement real estate excise taxes.

HB 2528 standardizes how cities and counties under Washington’s Growth Management Act can impose a 0.25% real estate sales tax to fund capital projects. It requires tax revenue to be used exclusively for specific infrastructure like roads, parks, airports, and affordable housing projects, with limits on how much can fund homelessness housing (capped at 25% of funds or $100,000, whichever is greater). Cities must identify these projects in their budget and may need voter approval for new taxes, while ensuring funds align with comprehensive planning requirements. The bill updates existing law to create uniform rules across jurisdictions, replacing inconsistent local approaches.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesStandardizes real estate tax for infrastructure/funding, mandates specific capital project use with fiscal caps, promoting responsible budget management.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates real estate tax revenue for affordable housing projects with 25% cap on homelessness housing funding, directly advancing housing funding requirements.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates 0.25% real estate tax revenue fund roads, airports, and infrastructure projects under Growth Management Act, explicitly linking to transportation infrastructure funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Revenue Sales Tax Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 22, 2026

HB 2621: Concerning property tax reform.

HB 2621 expands Washington's senior property tax relief program to cover more residents. It increases income thresholds for full exemption (from $50,000 to $70,000 for moderate income, and $60,000 to $80,000 for lowest income) and raises the property value cap for full exemption (to $500,000). Eligibility includes residents 61+ or disabled retirees, veterans with 40%+ disability rating, and surviving spouses 57+. The bill also streamlines how exemptions transfer when moving homes and requires clearer reporting on how property tax revenue is used. This directly affects seniors and disabled homeowners with limited income who own their primary residence.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax relief for seniors/disabled by raising income thresholds and property caps, providing direct tax relief to lower/middle income groups.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands property tax relief for seniors, reducing housing costs and increasing affordability for vulnerable residents through higher income thresholds and property value caps.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly includes veterans with 40%+ disability in expanded property tax relief program, directly advancing veteran financial benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue Property Taxes Tags Seniors

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signed · Washington · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 2451: Concerning local tax increment financing.

HB 2451 modifies Washington State's tax increment financing (TIF) rules to help local governments fund public improvements. It allows cities, counties, and other local jurisdictions to use increased property tax revenue from designated "increment areas" (geographic zones where property values rise after designation) to pay for eligible projects like roads, water systems, affordable housing, and park facilities. The bill sets limits: an increment area cannot exceed $200 million in assessed value (adjusted annually by the consumer price index) or 20% of a jurisdiction's total assessed value, whichever is smaller. It clarifies which costs qualify, including infrastructure, affordable housing development, and administrative expenses directly tied to TIF implementation. This bill directly affects local governments seeking to finance public projects through targeted tax revenue growth within specific zones.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enables local governments to fund public improvements (roads, housing) using tax increment revenue, strengthening fiscal tools for public projects.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly designates affordable housing as an eligible TIF project, directly enabling local funding for housing development and affordability initiatives.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly lists roads as eligible TIF projects, enabling local funding for transportation infrastructure improvements within designated increment areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2270: Providing specified flexibility for use of lodging tax revenues for small cities.

HB 2270 allows small Washington cities (population under 5,000) to use up to 15% of their prior year's lodging tax revenue for infrastructure, secondary roads, recreational facilities, and tourist law enforcement - previously restricted to tourism promotion or facilities. Cities must hold public hearings, publish notices in local media, and seek community input before shifting funds. The bill amends existing law to create this flexibility while maintaining tourism funding as the primary requirement for lodging tax revenues.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllows reallocation of existing lodging tax revenue to infrastructure/public services, promoting flexible fiscal management without new taxes or defunding.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly redirects lodging tax funds to transportation infrastructure and secondary roads, expanding funding for road projects previously restricted to tourism promotion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue

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in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 6294: Providing local governments tax resources and fund flexibility.

SB 6294 allows Washington counties and cities to impose new real estate excise taxes (up to 0.25% for general capital projects, and up to 0.5% specifically for affordable housing) to fund local infrastructure and housing. Local governments must use the tax revenue exclusively for qualifying projects like roads, parks, airports, and affordable housing developments, with specific requirements for documenting housing funds and prioritizing homelessness-related facilities. The bill creates a dedicated affordable housing account for competitive grants to nonprofits and public housing programs, while ensuring funds for existing pre-2019 homeless housing projects remain protected. It applies directly to local governments seeking new revenue streams and to housing providers receiving grants under the new system.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables local real estate taxes (0.25-0.5%) to fund infrastructure/housing, aligning with fiscal responsibility and essential program funding.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly allocates up to 0.5% real estate tax for affordable housing developments and prioritizes homelessness-related facilities with dedicated funding requirements.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly funds roads, airports, and infrastructure projects through new local taxes for qualifying transportation capital projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Affordable Housing Homelessness

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 22, 2026

HB 2628: Concerning regularly updating the budget outlook to reflect the most recent revenue forecast.

HB 2628 requires the state budget outlook work group to update Washington's official budget outlook quarterly to reflect the most recent revenue forecasts, in addition to annual updates in January (based on the governor's proposed budget) and November (to account for fiscal year adjustments). The bill mandates that these updates include detailed projections of state revenues and expenditures, key budget drivers, and clear explanations of the assumptions used. It directly affects the budget work group and all state agencies responsible for providing budget data. This ensures the legislature and governor have current, accurate budget information for decision-making.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires quarterly budget outlook updates with detailed revenue/expenditure projections, promoting fiscal transparency and responsible budget management per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue State Budget

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SB 6093: Enacting an excise tax on large operating companies on the amount of payroll expenses above the minimum wage threshold of the additional medicare tax to fund services to benefit Washingtonians and establishing the Well Washington fund account.

SB 6093 imposes a tax on large companies' payroll expenses above a threshold (based on the additional Medicare tax threshold) to create the Well Washington Fund. Starting July 1, 2027, 51% of the tax revenue will fund healthcare (including Medicaid), higher education, food assistance programs, and housing initiatives. The bill directly affects large Washington-based companies with significant payroll, while supporting residents relying on these public services. The fund will help offset state budget shortfalls caused by federal funding cuts, with revenues specifically designated for these programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes excise tax on large companies' payroll to fund healthcare, education, food assistance, and housing via Well Washington Fund, directly advancing public service funding.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates 51% of tax revenue to fund healthcare (including Medicaid) via the Well Washington Fund, directly advancing healthcare services and coverage.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates 51% of tax revenue to housing initiatives under the Well Washington Fund, directly funding housing programs as stated in the summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax State Budget Medicaid Medicare

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