Budget & Taxes

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5939: Creating the Washington is simply unaffordable fund.

SB 5939 creates the "Washington is simply unaffordable fund" to reimburse low-income residents for moving expenses if they relocate to a more affordable state. The fund, funded by a $7 million appropriation, helps residents earning below 300% of the federal poverty level who move to states ranked higher in affordability than Washington based on an annual economic report. To qualify, claimants must attest that Washington's unaffordability was the primary reason for their move and provide proof of documented moving costs. The bill directly affects working-class Washington residents seeking relocation due to high costs of housing, food, and gas.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $7M state appropriation to fund relocation reimbursements for low-income residents, directly increasing government spending on a new program.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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in committee · Washington · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 5949: Concerning taxes imposed on insurers operating within the state.

SB 5949 clarifies a tax exemption for insurers to close a loophole allowing non-insurance businesses (like pharmacy benefit managers) to avoid state business taxes. It amends RCW 82.04.320 to require that only insurers who pay premium taxes to the state can claim the exemption, reversing a 2024 court decision that broadly interpreted the exemption. The bill applies retroactively to tax periods starting October 2, 2019, ensuring businesses that previously avoided taxes under the broad interpretation now comply. It repeals an outdated exemption section (RCW 82.04.322) to streamline tax administration. This change directly affects insurers and businesses previously using the loophole to avoid paying business and occupation taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCloses tax loophole for insurers, ensuring proper tax collection and revenue for state budget by requiring only insurers paying premium taxes to claim exemption.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Incentives

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in committee · Washington · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 2159: Establishing the preK promise account.

HB 2159 creates a dedicated "preK promise account" managed by the state treasurer to fund Washington's state-funded early childhood education programs. The account receives and tracks donations, grants, and gifts separately from each source, and funds can only be used for eligible children in the existing early childhood education program (RCW 43.216.510). Unlike typical state funds, this account does not require annual appropriations for spending, and any leftover funds accumulate rather than returning to the general fund. The bill directly affects early childhood education programs and the children they serve, establishing a new funding mechanism for these services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated account for preK funding without annual appropriations, ensuring consistent fiscal management of essential education programs.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates dedicated funding account for early childhood education programs, ensuring stable, accumulated resources without annual appropriations, directly advancing educational access and funding for preK.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Early Childhood

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signed · Washington · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 2089: Supporting wildfire mitigation by modifying RCW 82.04.29005, concerning taxes on loan interest.

HB 2089 modifies Washington's tax code to redirect revenue from a business tax preference for "community banks" toward wildfire response funding. It updates the definition of "community bank" from "operating in ten or fewer states" to align with the federal standard ($10 billion or less in assets), reversing a 2012 policy that allowed 65% of tax savings ($91.6 million in 2023) to flow to non-community banks. Starting November 2027, the state will transfer annual revenue gains from this tax change directly into the wildfire response account, which funds forest restoration and community resilience. This bill directly affects financial institutions previously qualifying under the outdated definition, while ensuring funds support wildfire mitigation as mandated by the 2021 wildfire response account.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects $91.6M in tax savings from non-community banks to wildfire response funding, closing a loophole to strengthen public service funding.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly redirects tax revenue to wildfire response funding, directly supporting environmental protection through wildfire mitigation as stated in its title and summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Forestry Natural Disasters

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5819: Ensuring paid protestor services are considered a temporary staffing service subject to state retail sales and use taxes.

SB 5819 amends Washington State’s tax code to classify paid protestor services as temporary staffing services, making them subject to state retail sales and use taxes. This change directly affects businesses that hire individuals to provide paid protest services, requiring them to collect and remit applicable taxes on these services. The bill updates the definition of "retail sale" under RCW 82.04.050 to explicitly include such services within taxable temporary staffing. It does not alter tax treatment for other services like janitorial work or construction. This is a procedural tax code amendment with no new tax rates or exemptions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax base by classifying paid protestor services as taxable temporary staffing, closing a potential loophole to increase state revenue.95% confidence

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 2098: Adjusting higher education funding.

HB 2098 imposes a surcharge on select large tech companies with global revenue over $25 billion, increasing the rate from 1.22% (2020-2025) to 7.5% (starting 2026) on their taxable gross income. The surcharge applies to businesses engaged in "advanced computing" (including cloud services, software, and platforms), excluding hospitals, health clinics, and certain telecom or financial firms. Revenues from the surcharge fund workforce education programs, with automatic enrollment increases in computer science and engineering degrees at state universities when demand exceeds capacity by 100+ students. The bill also requires quarterly reporting and includes penalties for evasion, while exempting specific healthcare providers from the tax.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 7.5% surcharge on large tech firms to fund workforce education programs, directly increasing tax revenue for public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill imposes surcharge on large tech firms to fund workforce education programs with automatic enrollment increases, directly boosting education funding.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds workforce education programs with automatic enrollment increases, directly supporting worker skills development and employment opportunities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Fees & Licensing State Budget Higher Education

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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

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

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in committee · Washington · Senate Mar 2, 2026

SB 5932: Providing certainty for the development of low-to-zero carbon alternative jet fuel production in Washington state.

SB 5932 provides certainty for low-to-zero carbon alternative jet fuel (sustainable aviation fuel) production in Washington by clarifying tax incentives and carbon accounting rules. It establishes a 0.275% tax on manufacturing and sales of alternative jet fuel, effective when facilities reach 20 million gallons annual capacity (or July 1, 2031 at the latest), and expires after nine years. The bill requires the Department of Ecology to allow specific carbon intensity calculations for electricity used in production, using the utility’s reported fuel mix rather than separate tracking. This directly affects fuel producers, processors, and utilities supplying energy to these facilities, reducing investment risks by creating a clear timeline for tax benefits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a new 0.275% tax on alternative jet fuel production, directly addressing tax policy to incentivize industry development within state fiscal framework.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPromotes sustainable aviation fuel production via tax incentives and carbon accounting, advancing renewable energy development and reducing fossil fuel dependence.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes tax incentives and carbon accounting for low-carbon jet fuel, directly advancing climate goals by promoting sustainable aviation fuel production and reducing emissions.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill promotes sustainable aviation fuel production through tax incentives and carbon rules, advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure and aligning with 'promotes sustainable transportation' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Airports

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in committee · Washington · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 2135: Modifying and extending the adaptive housing retail sales and use tax preference for disabled veterans.

HB 2135 extends and modifies a tax exemption for disabled veterans who use federal grants to adapt their homes. It raises the maximum tax refund per project from $2,500 to $5,000 and increases the annual state funding cap from $125,000 to $250,000, with future adjustments tied to Seattle-area inflation starting in 2028. The bill applies exclusively to veterans who received U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs grants for specially adapted housing or special housing adaptations. It expires on January 1, 2039, and requires the state to track usage to ensure funds stay within annual limits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax refund cap for disabled veterans, expanding tax relief and raising state funding for the program, aligning with tax relief and funding indicators.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill doubles tax refund cap for disabled veterans' home adaptations and increases annual funding, directly expanding financial benefits tied to VA grants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives Veteran Housing

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 5893: Addressing appropriations for long-term forest health and wildfire reduction.

SB 5893 appropriates an additional $65 million from the natural climate solutions account for the 2026 fiscal year to support forest health and wildfire reduction programs. The bill addresses a funding shortfall identified in previous legislation (chapter 298, Laws of 2021), which lacked sufficient resources to fully implement forest restoration and wildfire mitigation efforts. This funding specifically targets the "wildfire response, forest restoration, and community resilience account" to cover the $125 million needed for the 2025-2027 biennium. The bill does not create new policy but allocates existing funds to fulfill previously authorized program needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $65M from natural climate account to fund forest health/wildfire programs, increasing state budget allocation for environmental initiatives.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds forest restoration and wildfire mitigation via $65M appropriation, directly advancing environmental protection and conservation efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Forestry Natural Disasters

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