Budget & Taxes

in committee · Washington · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2579: Promoting and funding public media and digital equity.

HB 2579 establishes two new state-funded programs to expand public media access and digital equity in Washington. It creates a public media broadcaster program prioritizing community-based, noncommercial radio/TV stations that provide public safety information and arts access, with 85% of funds going to larger organizations ($1M+ budget) and 15% to smaller rural or hyper-local broadcasters. The digital equity program funds resource coordinators and multimedia trainers at community anchor institutions (like libraries and schools) to improve internet access, online safety training, and multilingual resources for underserved communities. Both programs require annual reporting and mandate that all funding be spent within Washington.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes two new state-funded programs for public media and digital equity, directly allocating budget resources to expand these public services.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds digital equity programs and public media access, directly advancing internet access and digital inclusion for underserved communities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Online Safety

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 6122: Increasing school district flexibility in expenditure of basic education funding.

SB 6122 increases flexibility for Washington school districts in how they spend basic education funding. It removes requirements that previously mandated specific teacher-student ratios, instructional approaches, or staff classifications, allowing districts to allocate funds based on their actual needs. The bill establishes "prototypical" school models (elementary, middle, high) to calculate base funding levels, but requires adjustments based on each district’s actual student enrollment and grade-level composition. School districts must also report per-pupil funding transparently on their websites, as mandated by the superintendent of public instruction.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves rigid spending mandates, allowing districts to allocate existing education funds based on actual needs, promoting efficient fiscal management within government spending.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves restrictive spending mandates, allowing districts to allocate funds based on actual needs, enhancing flexibility in education funding use.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending K-12 Education School Funding Teachers

Track

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 14, 2026

SB 6149: Concerning the definition of "rural county" for purposes of public facilities funding.

SB 6149 updates Washington state's definition of "rural county" to determine eligibility for a dedicated sales tax funding public facilities. A county qualifies as rural if it has fewer than 100 people per square mile, lacks any city over 45,000 residents, or is smaller than 225 square miles. Rural counties can then impose a sales tax (up to 0.09%, or 0.04% for certain counties) to fund public facilities supporting job creation, affordable workforce housing, or economic development offices. Funds must be used for specific projects listed in economic development plans and reported annually to ensure alignment with job growth and housing goals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables rural counties to levy a small sales tax (up to 0.09%) for public facilities funding, directly supporting fiscal management and public spending initiatives.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly authorizes rural counties to use sales tax funds for 'affordable workforce housing' as a designated purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Affordable Housing Property Development Tags Rural Communities

signed · Washington · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 2487: Concerning taxes imposed on insurers operating within the state.

HB 2487 corrects a court interpretation that allowed non-insurers (like pharmacy benefit managers) to wrongly avoid business and occupation taxes by misusing an insurance tax exemption. The bill rewrites the exemption language to require businesses claiming it to prove they paid premium taxes to the state, aligning with the original 1935 intent to prevent double taxation on insurers. It consolidates two tax exemption sections and applies retroactively to tax periods starting October 2, 2019, to ensure businesses that previously misused the exemption pay what they owe. This directly affects insurers and businesses claiming the exemption, aiming to protect state revenue for schools and services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCloses tax loophole allowing non-insurers to avoid business taxes, ensuring proper tax collection per 1935 intent and preventing double taxation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax State Budget

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 6182: Establishing an abortion savings program.

SB 6182 establishes an abortion savings program funded by an annual assessment on health insurance companies. It requires health carriers to pay $0.82 per coverage month in 2027 (then $0.165 annually) to a state account, with funds used to provide operating grants to abortion providers and funds that support clinical care access for people without sufficient resources. The bill prohibits disclosing patient or provider identifying information and mandates that at least 85% of program funds go directly to eligible organizations. These grants specifically support abortion services where federal funding is restricted, and the program cannot pass assessment costs to consumers through premiums or rates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes annual assessment on insurers to fund abortion care, creating new state revenue and directing spending toward healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds abortion providers via insurer assessments, improves access for low-resource patients, aligns with healthcare funding/support indicators95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Women's Health

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

Track

in committee · Washington · House Feb 27, 2026

HB 2289: Making 2025-2027 fiscal biennium supplemental operating appropriations.

HB 2289 allocates supplemental funding for Washington State's 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, primarily adjusting appropriations for state legislative bodies and oversight agencies. It increases funding for the House of Representatives ($61.8 million for FY2026, $65.4 million for FY2027), Senate ($45.6 million for FY2026, $50.9 million for FY2027), and the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee ($13.9 million total). The bill mandates specific audit uses for $400,000 of the committee's funds: reviewing juvenile rehabilitation staffing, programming, safety, and gender equity, and evaluating ignition interlock device compliance rates. These allocations are subject to conditions requiring reports on findings and recommendations by June 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases funding for legislative bodies and oversight agencies through supplemental appropriations, advancing fiscal management and operational needs of state budget processes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Audits & Accountability State Budget

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2258: Authorizing cities and counties the ability to levy a household excise tax for the operation, maintenance, and capital needs of animal control and shelter systems.

HB 2258 allows Washington cities and counties to impose a monthly household fee of up to $2.50 per dwelling unit to fund animal control and shelter systems. It directly affects local governments (which can adopt the tax via ordinance) and residents (who pay the fee), while requiring voter approval for new taxes or rate changes. The bill specifies that revenue must cover operation, maintenance, and capital needs of animal control systems owned or contracted by local entities, with annual rate increases capped at 2% or the inflation rate. It includes detailed procedures for voter referendums and defines key terms like "dwelling unit" and "parcel." The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes local governments to levy a household tax ($2.50/month) specifically to fund animal control operations, directly increasing dedicated revenue for a public service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Sales Tax

Track

in committee · Washington · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2322: Providing certainty for the development of low-to-zero carbon alternative jet fuel production in Washington state.

HB 2322 creates tax credits for businesses producing low-carbon alternative jet fuel (sustainable aviation fuel) in Washington state, targeting companies that meet specific emissions standards. The bill sets a clear timeline: tax credits begin on July 1, 2031, and expire June 30, 2046, providing certainty for long-term investments. Credits range from $1 to $2 per gallon based on emissions reduction (minimum 50% lower than conventional jet fuel), available only to qualifying businesses in designated counties after the state verifies facilities meet a 20 million-gallon annual production capacity threshold. This policy aims to accelerate clean fuel adoption by reducing financial risk for developers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credits ($1-$2/gallon) for sustainable aviation fuel producers, reducing business tax liability to incentivize investment in emissions-reducing technology.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProvides tax credits for sustainable aviation fuel meeting 50% emissions reduction, directly promoting renewable energy development and clean energy infrastructure investment.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill provides tax credits for 50%+ emissions-reduced sustainable aviation fuel, directly advancing clean energy development and pollution reduction in transportation sector.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill provides tax credits for sustainable aviation fuel production, directly advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure and emissions reduction goals in aviation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Airports

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signed · Washington · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 6066: Establishing accident risk zones.

SB 6066 allows counties, cities, towns, or the Washington State Department of Transportation to designate "crash prevention zones" on public roads with frequent serious collisions. To create a zone, local governments must hold a public hearing and conduct safety studies (which may adjust speed limits), then increase traffic enforcement in those areas. Drivers caught speeding or causing collisions in these zones face a $73 fine, with the revenue funding safety improvements like road signs, engineering studies, and enforcement in the same zone. Zones automatically end once safety upgrades are completed or can be dissolved early by petition from 10% of local property owners/residents.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs $73 traffic fine revenue to fund road safety improvements, explicitly allocating new revenue to public infrastructure projects.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds road safety improvements via fines from crash zones, enhancing infrastructure and enforcement to prevent collisions on public roads.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Traffic Safety