Budget & Taxes

in committee · Washington · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 2227: Providing a real estate excise tax exemption for the sale of qualified affordable housing.

HB 2227 would exempt sales of "qualified affordable housing" from Washington's real estate excise tax. This bill amends the state's tax code (RCW 82.45.010) to create this specific exemption for qualifying affordable housing properties. The exemption directly affects sellers of eligible affordable housing units, reducing their tax burden when selling such properties. The bill is currently pending in the House Finance Committee after being prefaced in December 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts affordable housing sales from real estate tax, providing targeted tax relief for lower-income housing transactions.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts affordable housing sales from real estate tax, reducing seller costs to encourage development and increase supply of affordable units.95% confidence

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

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 6320: Concerning alternative learning experiences.

This bill (SB 6320) modifies Washington State's funding formula for school district enrichment levies and creates new rules for students in alternative learning experiences. It adjusts state funding based on actual district levy rates (capping at $1.50 per $1,000 assessed value) and establishes a process for districts to restore funding for students in remote online programs when certified by a healthcare provider due to immunosuppression, chronic illness, injury, or bullying-related medical conditions. The bill defines "multidistrict online providers" as organizations serving students across multiple districts, excluding certain cooperative programs. It directly affects school districts, students in remote learning, and tribal education compact schools by changing how enrollment and funding are calculated for alternative learning programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesModifies state funding formula for school districts with levy rate cap ($1.50/$1k), promoting fiscal responsibility in budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationModifies funding to restore support for remote learning access when certified by healthcare providers for medical reasons, directly advancing educational access for vulnerable students.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax School Funding School Safety

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 6012: Exempting schools from retail sales tax imposed on certain services.

SB 6012 exempts schools (both public and private) from paying Washington's retail sales tax on certain services they purchase for operational use, such as cleaning, repairs, or maintenance. The bill amends state tax law (RCW 82.04.050) to exclude these school-purchased services from the definition of "retail sale," removing the tax obligation for schools. This change directly affects schools by reducing their operational costs for essential services, without altering tax treatment for other businesses. The bill is currently pending in committee after being prefaced for introduction in January 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts schools from retail sales tax on operational services, reducing costs and providing tax relief for public education institutions.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts schools from sales tax on operational services, reducing costs and effectively increasing available funds for schools without altering direct funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 19, 2026

HB 2556: Creating the Washington state public bank.

This bill proposes the creation of a state-owned public bank in Washington to increase public financing capacity for infrastructure and other public initiatives without raising taxes or increasing state debt. The legislation would establish a new depository bank that holds state and local government funds, allowing the state to leverage deposits to provide loans for projects like transportation and community development. Modeled after the Bank of North Dakota, the public bank would operate under state control to generate profits for the people of Washington while offering lower-cost financing for public needs. The bill amends existing state statutes to authorize the bank's formation and outlines how the institution would manage deposits and loans to support economic development and reduce reliance on bond financing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProposes public bank to fund infrastructure without taxes/debt, replacing costly bond financing. Promotes fiscal responsibility by leveraging deposits to avoid interest costs.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFinances infrastructure projects including transportation via public bank, replacing costly bonds. Directly funds transportation infrastructure development through $10B in loans from $1B deposits.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds

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signed · Washington · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 6005: Making supplemental transportation appropriations for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium.

SB 6005 allocates $13 million for community electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, prioritizing multifamily housing, public locations, schools, and government facilities, with $2 million reserved for federally recognized tribes. It also directs $4.9 million for tribal electric boat grants and $6.85 million to establish a sustainable aviation fuel institute in the Cascadia region. The bill requires projects to reduce emissions and mandates implementation by local governments, tribes, or utilities, with strict reporting on emissions impacts and coordination with state electrification programs. Funding must cover level-two or higher charging infrastructure, including site improvements, and cannot exceed 100% of project costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $13M+ for EV infrastructure and sustainable aviation fuel institute, directly funding transportation projects under state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAllocates $13M for EV charging infrastructure, $4.9M for tribal electric boats, and $6.85M for sustainable aviation fuel institute, promoting renewable energy adoption and emission reductions.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates $13M for EV charging, $4.9M for electric boats, $6.85M for sustainable aviation fuel institute, all requiring emission reductions.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates $13M for EV charging infrastructure, tribal boat grants, and sustainable aviation fuel - directly funds and promotes sustainable transportation projects per bill's purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Airports Electric Vehicles Transportation Funding

in committee · Washington · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 2669: Requiring a performance audit of the interstate bridge replacement project replacing the Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia river.

HB 2669 requires a detailed performance audit of Washington's I-5 bridge replacement project over the Columbia River by December 1, 2027. The audit will examine how project funds were spent (including contractor payments that increased sixfold without added work), financial reporting compliance, traffic and revenue forecasts, and whether the design effectively reduces congestion. It specifically compares the project to other major bridges like Baltimore's Key Bridge and the Brent Spence Bridge. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) must provide documentation, and the audit report will be submitted to the legislature by the deadline. The bill expires December 31, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates audit of bridge project spending to ensure fiscal accountability, promoting responsible budget management per its focus on contractor payments, financial reporting, and fund usage.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 22, 2026

HB 2638: Creating a property tax exemption for surviving spouses or domestic partners of officers and firefighters who have died from duty-related injury or disease.

HB 2638 creates a property tax exemption for surviving spouses or domestic partners of Washington state or local officers and firefighters who died from duty-related injuries or diseases. The exemption applies to the primary residence of qualifying survivors, reducing or eliminating property taxes based on their combined income level (with three income thresholds). Survivors with the lowest income are exempt from all property taxes, while those with higher incomes receive partial exemptions on a portion of their home's value. This policy change directly affects eligible surviving family members by easing their property tax burden, as outlined in new provisions to Washington's property tax code.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates property tax exemption for lower-income survivors, providing direct tax relief through reduced property taxes for qualifying households.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 2673: Establishing tax exemptions for property used as affordable housing owned or operated by a social housing agency.

HB 2673 proposes a tax exemption for property used as affordable housing owned or operated by social housing agencies in Washington State. This bill directly affects affordable housing providers by removing certain property taxes on qualifying properties. The key mechanism adds an exemption to existing tax codes, specifically excluding from taxation real property used for affordable housing under a social housing agency's ownership or operation. The exemption applies to properties meeting the bill's defined criteria for affordable housing use, without altering other tax obligations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax exemption for affordable housing properties, reducing property tax burden on social housing agencies, aligning with tax relief for lower-income housing services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingTax exemption for affordable housing properties reduces costs for social housing agencies, directly advancing affordable housing access and development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 6220: Ensuring nonprofit housing providers qualify for a property tax exemption when the property is temporarily used for certain community purposes other than affordable housing.

SB 6220 expands property tax exemption eligibility for nonprofit housing providers in Washington State. It allows these organizations to temporarily use their properties for certain community purposes (like events or gatherings) without losing their tax exemption, as long as the use doesn’t exceed 50 days per year and only 15 days are used for business promotion. The bill modifies tax code provisions to clarify that such temporary community uses - when not for profit and within specified limits - do not invalidate the exemption. This directly affects nonprofit housing providers seeking tax relief while hosting community activities beyond affordable housing operations. The bill is currently in committee review after its first reading.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands property tax exemption for nonprofit housing providers, providing tax relief by allowing temporary community uses without losing exemption. Directly modifies tax code for tax policy.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands tax exemptions for nonprofit housing providers, reducing operational costs to sustain affordable housing efforts without restricting community use.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Property Taxes

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 6125: Providing enrollment stabilization funding.

SB 6125 provides enrollment stabilization funding to Washington school districts, charter schools, and tribal schools if their state funding for the 2026-27 or 2027-28 school years drops below what it would have been using 2025-26 enrollment data. The bill requires the state superintendent to calculate and pay the difference (the "stabilization amount") when current funding falls short of projected funding based on prior enrollment. This funding covers all state education allocations, including general funding, special education, learning assistance, and career programs, but cannot be used to replace basic education funding. The program expires on July 1, 2028.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides stabilization funding to schools when state funding falls short, ensuring continued education budget stability and preventing defunding of public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationStabilizes school funding by compensating districts for enrollment-based shortfalls, ensuring consistent state education allocations without defunding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Special Education

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