Budget & Taxes

in committee · Washington · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 2313: Concerning publicly owned grocery stores.

HB 2313 authorizes Washington cities to establish publicly owned grocery stores in underserved areas with food access gaps. Cities can acquire property (including via eminent domain), apply for state capital grants covering building rehabilitation and 24-hour "food locker systems," and use tax increment financing to fund store development and infrastructure. The bill requires annual reporting on financial status, community access, jobs created, and for third-party operated stores, sales data and compliance with contractual benchmarks like local produce sourcing. This directly affects cities seeking to address food insecurity through municipal grocery initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesUses state capital grants and tax increment financing (TIF) to fund grocery store development in underserved areas, directly advancing public service funding through fiscal mechanisms.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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signed · Washington · Senate Mar 27, 2026

SB 6027: Modifying requirements and allowed uses for certain funding related to providing and maintaining affordable housing and related services.

SB 6027 allows Washington counties and cities to impose up to a 0.1% sales tax to fund affordable housing and related services. It requires at least 60% of the revenue to support housing construction, rehabilitation, or services for specific groups including homeless individuals, veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities. The bill limits how funds can be used (capping supplanting of existing local funds at 10%) and mandates that counties coordinate with cities on projects, prioritizing 15% of housing units for residents with local ties. It also permits using funds to offset state/federal reductions and authorizes bonds for housing development.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 0.1% sales tax to fund affordable housing, requiring 60% revenue for housing construction/services, directly advancing fiscal support for essential housing programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllows 0.1% sales tax funding for affordable housing construction/services, requiring 60% allocation to vulnerable groups (homeless, veterans, seniors, disabled) with coordination mandates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Affordable Housing Homelessness Housing Finance

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 6127: Requiring a performance audit of program integrity measures in Washington's paid family and medical leave program.

SB 6127 requires Washington's state auditor to conduct a performance audit of fraud protections, eligibility verification, and claim recovery processes in the state's paid family and medical leave program. The audit will evaluate how effectively the program prevents fraud, verifies claim eligibility, recovers improper payments, and communicates claim details to employers and employees. It mandates specific recommendations for improving these processes and requires progress reports by December 2026 and a final report by December 2027, with the requirement expiring December 31, 2027. This bill directly affects workers using the program and employers receiving claim information.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates audit to prevent fraud and improve fiscal management in state program, promoting fiscal responsibility.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates audit to strengthen fraud prevention and claim integrity in paid family/medical leave program, protecting worker benefits and program effectiveness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Labor Standards Paid Leave

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in committee · Washington · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2587: Establishing a pilot program to advance funds to nonprofits to support grant performance.

This bill establishes a temporary pilot program allowing Washington state agencies to advance up to 25% of a grant (capped at $200,000) to eligible public benefit nonprofits. It directly affects nonprofits that received state grants for public health, safety, welfare, or state benefit programs within six months, have a budget under $5 million, and have operated for at least three years with satisfactory past performance. The advance funds must be repaid from future grant payments, require a binding contract, and are limited to one-time use. The program expires June 30, 2029, and requires a 2028 report evaluating its effectiveness and recommending future action.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates advance funding mechanism for state grants to nonprofits serving public health/safety, enabling timely program delivery without tax increases or budget cuts.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds nonprofits supporting public health programs via grant advances, directly advancing healthcare services as specified in eligibility criteria.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 6057: Using concurrent medicaid enrollment savings to fund opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.

Washington State bill SB 6057 creates a system to identify and recover Medicaid premiums paid for residents who are concurrently enrolled in Medicaid in multiple states. It requires the Medicaid agency to verify addresses using USPS data and manage enrollment changes, then direct recovered funds into a dedicated STEM education account. These funds, deposited into the account after state appropriation, must be used exclusively for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education programs. The bill directly affects Medicaid administration and state funding for STEM education, with no specific beneficiary groups defined beyond the account's purpose.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects Medicaid enrollment savings to fund STEM education programs, increasing state appropriations for public education.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill redirects recovered Medicaid funds to a dedicated STEM education account, explicitly funding STEM programs in education per its summary.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill diverts Medicaid recovery funds to STEM education, not healthcare, effectively defunding healthcare initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Medicaid

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signed · Washington · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 6225: Authorizing bonds for transportation funding.

SB 6225 authorizes $3.4 billion in general obligation bonds to fund preservation of Washington State’s existing transportation infrastructure, including roads and bridges. Proceeds will come exclusively from state fuel excise taxes and vehicle-related fees (like license fees), which are pledged to repay the bonds. The funds will be deposited into a new "Preserve Washington Account" within the motor vehicle fund, restricted to infrastructure preservation projects that extend the life of existing assets. The bill ensures bond repayment priority over other uses of these tax revenues and amends existing laws to clarify funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesUses existing fuel excise taxes and vehicle fees to fund infrastructure preservation, directing current tax revenue toward essential public works within fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAuthorizes $3.4B in bonds from fuel taxes for road/bridge preservation, directly funding infrastructure preservation projects per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Bridges Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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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signed · Washington · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 5998: Making 2025-2027 fiscal biennium supplemental operating appropriations.

SB 5998 adjusts funding for Washington State's 2025-2027 fiscal biennium by increasing appropriations for the House of Representatives ($200,000 for FY2026), Senate ($20,000 for FY2026), and the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee. It allocates $400,000 for the committee to audit juvenile rehabilitation programs (including staffing, youth services, and safety protocols) and another $400,000 to review ignition interlock device compliance. The bill also sets aside $150,000 for auditing forest health planning. As a procedural appropriations bill, it modifies existing funding levels without creating new policies or regulations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases appropriations for legislative bodies and audits ($1.15M total), funding oversight of juvenile rehab and ignition interlocks, advancing fiscal management through targeted spending.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates $400k to audit juvenile rehabilitation programs (including staffing/services) and $400k for ignition interlock compliance review, supporting oversight and potential reform in criminal justice.70% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Audits & Accountability State Budget Juvenile Justice

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SJR 8210: Providing a constitutional amendment to limit growth of assessed valuation of real property.

This constitutional amendment proposal (SJR 8210) would limit how much the assessed value of real property in Washington can increase annually. It caps annual growth at either 1% or the inflation rate (whichever is lower), starting January 1, 2027, with exceptions for new construction or property ownership changes. The amendment applies to property taxes collected beginning in 2028 and would require voter approval to take effect. It directly affects all property owners in Washington by restricting future increases in their property tax assessments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCaps annual property tax growth at 1% or inflation, providing tax relief for homeowners, aligns with support indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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in committee · Washington · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 2463: Supporting Washington farmers feeding families.

HB 2463 creates two new grant programs to connect Washington farmers with hunger relief organizations. It establishes a "farm donation grant program" that provides funds to nonprofits to purchase surplus farm products (like produce, dairy, and protein) directly from Washington growers, compensating farmers for harvest and logistical costs. A second "farm-to-food pantry grant program" supports nonprofits in building direct contracts between farmers, tribes, and food hubs to supply food pantries. The bill prioritizes organizations with at least five years of experience and aims to ensure equitable access for minority, veteran, women, and tribal farmers. The law requires grant recipients to report results to the state department and is known as the "Washington Farmers Feeding Families Act."

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new state-funded grant programs (farm donation/farm-to-food pantry) to connect farmers with hunger relief, directly allocating public funds for essential services.90% confidence

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