Budget & Taxes

passed · Washington · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2140: Exempting land classified under current use that is sold or transferred to a governmental entity from additional tax in certain circumstances.

HB 2140 exempts land classified under Washington's current-use property tax program (e.g., farmland, forestland) from additional taxes when sold or transferred to a governmental entity. This directly affects landowners selling to governments (like counties or schools) and the governments purchasing such land. The bill amends tax code to clarify that these transfers do not trigger the usual penalty tax, which normally applies when classified land changes ownership. The key provision removes the requirement to pay retroactive taxes for up to seven years (four years for farmland after 2025) when land is sold to a government for continued use. This is a procedural tax code adjustment with no new spending or regulations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts land sales to government from additional taxes, providing tax relief for landowners and governments under current-use property tax program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Property Tax

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in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 5839: Concerning county ferry district authority.

This bill amends Washington State law to update how county ferry districts operate and fund services. It removes the "passenger-only" restriction on ferries and wharves, allowing districts to manage broader ferry services. Ferry districts can now levy property taxes up to 75 cents per $1,000 assessed value (or 7.5 cents for counties over 1.5 million people) to cover ferry operations, vessel maintenance, and related infrastructure. The bill also clarifies that districts may issue bonds for ferry construction, using revenues from these tax levies to repay debt. These changes directly affect county ferry districts and the communities they serve.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes property tax levies (up to 75¢/$1,000) for ferry operations and infrastructure, directly enabling funding through new tax authority.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds ferry infrastructure via property tax increases and removes service restrictions, directly advancing transportation operations and infrastructure maintenance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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signed · Washington · Senate Mar 14, 2026

SB 5872: Establishing the preK promise account.

SB 5872 creates the "preK promise account" to fund Washington's early childhood education and assistance program. The account, managed by the state treasurer, accepts gifts, grants, and donations specifically for this program, with funds tracked separately by donor. It prohibits leftover funds from reverting to the general state budget at the end of each biennium. The bill ensures dedicated, ongoing support for early childhood education services without requiring annual legislative appropriations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated preK funding account, prohibits fund diversion to general budget, ensures ongoing support without annual appropriations for essential early education program.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates dedicated preK funding via a separate account, ensuring ongoing support without annual appropriations, directly advancing early education access and funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Early Childhood

in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 5884: Expanding the limited sales and use tax incentive program to encourage redevelopment of underutilized property.

SB 5884 expands a sales and use tax deferral program to incentivize redevelopment of underutilized property in qualifying cities (with populations of 135,000-275,000). It directly affects property owners who develop affordable housing - both rental and homeownership - for low- or moderate-income households, as defined by federal income thresholds. The key mechanism allows qualifying developers to defer paying sales and use taxes on eligible projects, provided they maintain affordable housing for at least 10 years. This applies to vacant land, partially used land, or underutilized property (like surface parking lots) identified by city authorities as suitable for affordable housing redevelopment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax deferral for affordable housing developers, providing tax relief to incentivize redevelopment. Directly uses tax policy to support affordable housing funding.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands tax deferral for affordable housing redevelopment, directly incentivizing low/moderate-income housing projects through sales/use tax incentives.95% confidence

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

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in committee · Washington · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 2175: Exempting providers of free durable medical equipment from retail sales and use tax for certain items.

HB 2175 exempts nonprofit organizations that provide free durable medical equipment to patients from Washington's retail sales and use taxes on items necessary for their operations. These providers must be federally tax-exempt under 501(c), not charge patients, and be licensed in Washington. The exemption expires January 1, 2037, and includes a review clause to potentially extend it if the policy increases access to medical equipment for Washington residents.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts nonprofits from sales tax on medical equipment, providing tax relief for organizations serving vulnerable populations and aligning with fiscal responsibility for public health access.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts nonprofits from taxes on medical equipment, reducing costs to improve patient access to durable medical devices.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2162: Establishing a public interest law grant program and a business and occupation tax credit for approved contributions to the program account.

HB 2162 creates a program to help new lawyers working as prosecutors or public defenders pay student loans by offering annual grants of up to $10,000 per year. It funds these grants through a tax credit for law firms that contribute to a dedicated account, allowing firms to claim a business and occupation tax credit equal to their contribution (up to $20,000 annually). The law requires the program to begin by 2027, with grants awarded based on available funds, and mandates annual reports on participation and spending. This bill directly affects public defense/prosecution lawyers and participating law firms, aiming to improve recruitment and retention in these roles through financial incentives. The program expires December 31, 2038.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates business tax credit to fund public interest lawyer grants, leveraging private contributions for public service without direct state spending.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds public defenders/prosecutors via tax credits, supporting legal representation access - key criminal justice reform component.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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in committee · Washington · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 2116: Updating school enrichment funding.

HB 2116 updates Washington state's school enrichment funding by setting new annual limits on property taxes districts can levy for programs like arts, sports, and after-school activities. For taxes collected through 2029, districts may levy up to $2.50 per $1,000 of property value, increasing to $3.00 per $1,000 starting in 2030. The bill also creates a state-local effort assistance program that provides supplemental funding to districts levying below $1.50 per $1,000, matching a portion of their levy up to a per-student cap adjusted for inflation. School districts must now obtain approval for their enrichment spending plans before seeking voter approval for new levies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesSets property tax limits for school enrichment while creating state funding for districts below $1.50 levy, ensuring continued program funding through structured fiscal management.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes new funding limits for enrichment programs and creates supplemental funding for low-levy districts, strengthening school program access and funding stability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget School Funding

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passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 5832: Updating the arbitration fee collected for the new motor vehicle arbitration account.

SB 5832 increases the arbitration fee for new motor vehicle disputes from $3 to $6, collected by dealers or lessors from consumers during vehicle sales or leases. The fee funds the new motor vehicle arbitration account in the state treasury, managed by the Department of Licensing for dispute resolution under this chapter. The bill also requires the Attorney General to annually report on account revenue and expenses. This change directly affects new vehicle dealers, lessors, and consumers purchasing or leasing vehicles in Washington. The bill amends RCW 19.118.110 to update the fee amount and reporting requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state revenue via $3 fee hike for vehicle arbitration, directly funding state treasury account per bill's funding mechanism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2170: Expanding revenue generation and economic opportunities from natural climate solutions and ecosystem services.

HB 2170 would authorize Washington’s Department of Natural Resources to generate revenue from state lands and waters through carbon credit programs and other ecosystem service projects, such as reforestation, kelp restoration, and water purification. The bill directly affects the department (which manages 6 million acres of state lands) and trust beneficiaries by enabling it to enter carbon markets like private landowners already do, with contracts lasting up to 125 years. Key provisions include requiring board approval for minimum payments, allowing sales of ecosystem service credits to markets, and directing proceeds to state accounts for environmental projects like salmon habitat improvement. The bill aims to diversify state revenue streams while leveraging natural climate solutions, aligning with Washington’s existing cap-and-invest climate program. It remains a proposed bill (prefiled but not yet enacted).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new revenue stream via carbon credits and ecosystem services, expanding state budget income without tax increases, aligning with fiscal responsibility.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes carbon credits and ecosystem projects (reforestation, kelp restoration) to generate revenue for environmental protection, directly advancing climate solutions and conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Forestry

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2181: Paying for response activities for the December 2025 significant atmospheric river and winter event.

HB 2181 allocates $690 million in excess climate commitment auction revenue to repair transportation infrastructure damaged by the December 2025 atmospheric river and winter storm event. It specifically funds cleanup, repairs, and restoration of Interstate 90, State Routes 2, 167, and 410, and other critical transportation systems affected by the emergency. The funding comes directly from the Climate Investment Account, as authorized by the Climate Commitment Act, and is tied to emergency proclamation 25-07. This bill uses existing climate revenue for immediate infrastructure recovery, without creating new taxes or altering broader climate program requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $690M from Climate Investment Account to repair storm-damaged infrastructure using designated revenue, demonstrating responsible fiscal management within existing budget framework.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds from Climate Investment Account (Climate Commitment Act) used for storm recovery, directly tied to climate-related infrastructure response.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates $690M from Climate Investment Account to repair damaged transportation infrastructure (I-90, SR 2, 167, 410) after storm event, directly funding restoration of critical systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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