HB 1369 creates a new "Working forests" special license plate for Washington vehicle owners. The plate requires a $40 initial registration fee and a $30 annual renewal fee. Revenue from these fees will directly support working forests in the state, as specified by the bill's title and description. The plate will display an image representing working forests and is available for purchase by any vehicle owner who chooses to contribute.
Senate Bill 5696 amends the law concerning a local one-tenth of one percent sales and use tax designated for chemical dependency and mental health treatment programs. The bill clarifies that funds collected from this tax may be used for the new construction of facilities and modifications to existing facilities that support these treatment and therapeutic court programs. It also affirms that these programs and their associated facility needs are considered part of local government public safety initiatives. This provides counties and cities with clear guidance on using these tax revenues for infrastructure related to these services.
House Bill 1106 expands eligibility for property tax relief to more disabled military veterans in Washington state. It lowers the required combined service-connected disability rating from 80% to 40% or higher for veterans to qualify for property tax exemptions on their primary residence. This change allows a broader group of disabled veterans to receive a reduction in their annual property tax obligations, provided they meet other existing criteria related to residency, ownership, and income thresholds. The bill aims to recognize the sacrifices of veterans by making property tax relief more accessible.
SB 5547 increases funding for local governments by redirecting cannabis tax revenue. It allocates 1.5% of cannabis tax revenue to cities and towns where licensed retailers operate (based on their proportional revenue share) and 3.5% to counties and cities/towns ratably by population (with eligibility requiring no bans on cannabis businesses). These distributions replace previous formulas and require annual reporting by the state board. The bill directly affects municipalities with cannabis retailers and those meeting siting criteria, without creating new taxes.
HB 1411 requires Washington's governor to base budget revenue estimates solely on the state's official economic and revenue forecast, rather than using other projections. This prevents the state from planning with assumed revenue levels higher than what the forecast council officially projects. The bill affects how the governor prepares annual and biennial budgets by mandating that all revenue estimates must align with the forecast council's approved numbers for most funds. It ensures budget planning relies on verified revenue data, not hypothetical scenarios.
SB 5457 modifies Washington State's business tax for radio and television broadcasters. It requires broadcasters to calculate tax based on gross income minus specific advertising revenues, directly affecting FCC-licensed radio and TV stations operating in Washington. The key provision allows broadcasters to exclude national/regional ad revenue either through a standard deduction (based on U.S. Census data) or by itemizing out-of-state audience revenue using defined signal strength contours. This change, effective July 2025, adjusts how taxable income is calculated for broadcasters under the existing 0.484% business tax rate.
This bill removes the acreage limits on property tax exemptions for real or personal property owned by nonprofit organizations operating public assembly halls and meeting places. Currently, the exemption is capped at one acre for buildings and parking, and 29 acres for specific unimproved properties used for community events. By eliminating these acreage restrictions, the bill allows for a broader exemption for qualifying nonprofit properties. To remain exempt, the property must still be used exclusively for public gatherings, be available to all, and adhere to existing rules regarding pecuniary gain, with some exceptions for income used for maintenance or capital improvements. These changes would apply to taxes levied for collection in 2026 and thereafter.
SB 5687 increases the portion of Washington's general sales tax revenue dedicated to performance audits from 0.16% to 0.2%. This change applies to taxes collected under RCW 82.08.020(1) on retail sales of tangible goods, digital products, and certain services. The additional funds must be deposited into the "performance audits of government account" established under RCW 43.09.475. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, and directly affects all businesses collecting retail sales tax in Washington.
SB 5808 requires nonprofit health insurance carriers in Washington to report their financial surplus annually starting July 1, 2026. If a carrier’s surplus exceeds 600% of its required risk-based capital (RBC), it must pay 3% of the excess amount into a state health care affordability fund by October 1, 2026. This fund will directly support premium assistance programs for Washington residents under existing law. Carriers can request a hearing to challenge the payment if they demonstrate financial hardship, but the law takes effect January 1, 2026.
HB 1960 aims to encourage renewable energy development in Washington by changing the tax structure for large-scale solar and wind energy facilities. The bill exempts personal property used for renewable energy generation and storage in qualified facilities from property taxation. In its place, it establishes a new annual excise tax on these facilities, with rates varying based on the energy type, operational date, and capacity of the generation and storage systems. This new tax directly affects operators of significant solar and wind energy projects and their associated storage systems across the state.
