Budget & Taxes

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2093: Reinstating the tax exemptions for the sale of precious metals and bullion.

HB 2093 would remove precious metals and bullion from taxable sales under Washington's business and occupation tax code. It specifically excludes "precious metal bullion" (refined gold, silver, platinum, etc.) and "monetized bullion" (coins used as currency) from definitions of taxable "retail" or "wholesale" sales. Businesses selling these items would no longer pay tax on the full sale amount, though tax would still apply to commissions earned. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and directly affects dealers and sellers of precious metals.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExempts precious metals/bullion sales from state tax, reducing taxable revenue and weakening tax collection under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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passed · Washington · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2133: Making the property tax exemption for multipurpose senior citizen centers permanent.

HB 2133 makes permanent a property tax exemption for multipurpose senior citizen centers that was originally established temporarily in 2017. The bill modifies state law to ensure these centers no longer lose their tax exemption after the temporary period ends, directly affecting qualifying senior centers that provide community services. This change removes the temporary nature of the exemption created under Chapter 301, Laws of 2017, ensuring ongoing tax relief for these facilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMakes permanent property tax exemption for senior centers, providing ongoing tax relief and protecting existing fiscal benefits for qualifying facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Tags Seniors

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2167: Keeping the legislature's promises by reducing the sales tax in the event of an income tax or a tax on individual earnings.

HB 2167 would automatically reduce Washington’s state sales tax rate if the legislature ever passes an income tax or tax on individual earnings. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Revenue to lower the sales tax rate by an amount matching the projected revenue increase from such a new tax. This measure directly affects all Washington residents and businesses that pay sales tax, aiming to offset potential new tax burdens. The bill is conditional - it only triggers if a future income tax is enacted - and does not change current tax rates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates sales tax reduction to offset potential income tax increase, providing tax relief and preventing net tax burden on residents/businesses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Sales Tax

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 22, 2026

HB 2100: 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.

HB 2100 imposes a tax on large Washington companies for payroll expenses exceeding $125,000 per employee (mirroring the federal Medicare surtax threshold), effective July 2026. The tax revenue will fund the "Well Washington Fund," with 51% of annual revenues dedicated to supporting health care (including Medicaid), higher education, food assistance (SNAP), and energy/housing programs. The bill creates an oversight board of 25 legislative members to manage fund allocations, ensuring resources target services most impacted by federal budget cuts. This policy directly affects large operating companies with significant payroll, aiming to offset projected losses in state services from federal legislation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes excise tax on large companies to fund health care, education, and social programs, directly advancing public service funding per topic indicators.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly allocates 51% of tax revenue to 'energy/housing programs' under the Well Washington Fund, directly funding energy initiatives.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill dedicates 51% of Well Washington Fund revenues to healthcare (including Medicaid), directly funding health services and programs.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates 51% of Well Washington Fund revenues to 'energy/housing programs', explicitly funding housing initiatives as part of its revenue allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · Washington · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 2194: Concerning sales and use tax for cultural access programs.

HB 2194 would allow Washington counties and cities to impose a 0.1% sales tax (one-tenth of one percent) with voter approval to fund local cultural access programs, such as museums, arts initiatives, and community cultural events. Counties could implement this tax first (for up to seven years), and cities within counties could do so if counties haven’t acted by December 2024. All funds collected must be used exclusively for cultural programs under state law, and the state would collect the tax at no cost to local governments. The bill does not change existing tax rates or create new programs but provides a funding mechanism for existing cultural access efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new 0.1% sales tax to fund cultural programs, directly advancing state budget allocation for public services under fiscal management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax

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signed · Washington · House Mar 20, 2026

HB 2104: Concerning aviation assurance funding in response to wildland fires.

HB 2104 makes permanent a 2023 pilot program providing financial assurance for local and tribal fire departments in Washington to use certified aircraft (like planes dropping water or fire retardant) during the initial response to wildland fires. It removes the program’s expiration date, ensuring ongoing state funding to help fire departments deploy aviation resources quickly without waiting for state mobilization. This directly affects local fire departments by guaranteeing they can afford aircraft use when needed, especially during high-risk summer conditions with dry fuels. The bill requires that aviation deployment be directed by trained air operations commanders and aims to prevent small fires from growing large, protecting communities, natural resources, and air quality.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill makes aviation funding for fire departments permanent, ensuring ongoing state budget allocation for emergency services without expiration.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds rapid deployment of aircraft to combat wildfires, protecting natural resources and preventing environmental damage from uncontrolled fires.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2208: Exempting health care continuing education classes from retail sales and use tax.

HB 2208 exempts health care continuing education courses from Washington State's retail sales and use tax. This bill directly affects licensed health professionals (such as nurses, doctors, and therapists) who must complete these courses to maintain their licenses. The key mechanism removes the tax on these required courses, reducing costs for professionals who otherwise face increased expenses under the state's new service tax. The exemption aims to address workforce shortages by making professional development more affordable and accessible, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts health care continuing education from sales tax, providing direct tax relief to licensed professionals and reducing state tax revenue collection on required courses.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts healthcare continuing education from sales tax, reducing costs for professionals to maintain licenses and address workforce shortages.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentReduces tax burden on health professionals' license maintenance, addressing workforce shortages by lowering costs for required continuing education.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Professional Licensing

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5929: Exempting assignments or substitutions of previously recorded deeds of trust from the document recording fee and the covenant homeownership program assessment.

SB 5929 exempts assignments or substitutions of previously recorded deeds of trust from two fees: the $100 covenant homeownership program assessment and the $183 document recording surcharge. This change applies directly to mortgage lenders, title companies, and property owners involved in transferring existing mortgage interests. The bill amends RCW 36.22.185 (adding subsection (2)(f)) and RCW 36.22.250 (adding exemption (e)), removing these fees for such transactions while maintaining other fee exemptions. It does not affect new deeds of trust or other fee structures.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill removes two state fees ($100 covenant assessment, $183 recording surcharge), reducing government revenue and weakening fiscal management.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts mortgage transfer fees from covenant homeownership program, reducing costs for affordable housing initiatives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Homeownership Mortgages

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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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