Budget & Taxes

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1558: Concerning broadcasters.

HB 1558 imposes a 0.484% tax on the gross income of radio and television broadcasters operating in Washington State. It directly affects broadcasters by allowing them to exclude revenue from network, national, and regional advertising from their taxable income - either through a standard deduction based on U.S. census data or by itemizing out-of-state audience revenue using specific signal strength measurements. The bill defines "broadcasting" broadly to include delivery via wire, satellite, or other means, and clarifies that excluded revenue must be calculated using standardized signal contour thresholds for different broadcast types. This tax change modifies existing business tax rules for broadcasters but does not alter other tax categories covered under the same chapter.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 0.484% tax on broadcasters' gross income, directly increasing state tax revenue from this sector with defined exclusions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1808: Creating an affordable homeownership revolving loan fund program.

HB 1808 creates a state-funded revolving loan program to support permanently affordable homeownership for low-income households. The program provides loans (up to 50% of project costs) to nonprofit developers building housing that remains affordable for at least 99 years through long-term restrictions on resale and ownership. Loans carry interest rates between 1% and 2.5%, with repayments recycled into the fund to finance new projects. This directly affects low-income homebuyers (defined as households earning ≤80% of local median income) and nonprofit developers who build housing meeting specific affordability standards.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesState allocates budget funds to create a revolving loan program for affordable housing, directly funding a public service for low-income households.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates state-funded revolving loan program for low-income homeownership, providing affordable financing with long-term affordability restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Affordable Housing Homeownership Housing Finance

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1959: Eliminating the office of equity.

HB 1959 proposes eliminating Washington State's Office of Equity and repealing eight related laws (RCW 43.06D.010 through 43.06D.901) to save taxpayers $19.5 million annually. The bill directly affects the state budget and the Office of Equity, which was established in 2020 to address equity issues across state agencies. Key provisions include removing the office’s legal foundation, its director appointment process, reporting requirements, and related diversity initiatives within the Washington State Patrol. The legislature states this action aligns with prioritizing funding for "safe streets, excellent schools, and infrastructure" while reducing the tax burden. The bill does not prevent the office from operating as a nonprofit but removes its state-funded structure.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill eliminates Office of Equity, saving $19.5M annually by defunding a state program. Direct budget cut aligns with 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1569: Increasing tax exemption transparency and accountability.

HB 1569 requires Washington state to include tax exemptions and preferences in the regular biennial budget process, ending their automatic continuation without legislative review. The bill mandates that all tax exemptions without expiration dates must be reviewed, assigned performance measures, and reauthorized every two years or expire, with a maximum 10-year term for new exemptions. It also requires the Department of Revenue to estimate the annual revenue impact of each exemption and include these details in the budget. This affects all taxpayers by ensuring tax preferences are transparently evaluated for their revenue impact, rather than reducing state funds for services like education without oversight.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires tax exemption reviews, performance measures, and revenue impact estimates, promoting fiscal accountability and transparency in budgeting.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax State Budget Tax Incentives

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1083: Concerning the distribution of aircraft fuel tax revenue.

HB 1083 changes how Washington's aircraft fuel tax revenue is split between airport projects and the state general fund. Starting July 2025, 0.5% of the tax revenue (increasing to 1% after 2027) goes to airport projects via the aeronautics account, while the remaining 6.5% minus that amount flows to the general fund. It requires the transportation department to track and annually report on funded airport projects, including state grants, federal matching funds, and local contributions. This directly affects airports receiving project funding and state budget allocations through these revenue changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects aircraft fuel tax revenue to airport projects with mandatory reporting, promoting fiscal responsibility and transparent budget allocation.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates aircraft fuel tax revenue to airport infrastructure projects, directly funding transportation infrastructure as specified in the summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue State Budget Airports Transportation Funding

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2045: Investing in Washington families by restructuring the business and occupation tax on high grossing businesses and financial institutions.

HB 2045 creates a new 1% tax on businesses with over $250 million in annual revenue in Washington starting January 2026, targeting large corporations. It also increases the tax rate for financial institutions from 1.2% to 1.9% after July 2025. The bill exempts manufacturers, farmers, and certain income types from the new tax. These changes aim to fund K-12 education, public safety, health care, and basic needs programs, as stated in the legislative findings.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesNew tax on large corporations funds K-12 education, public safety, and healthcare programs, directly advancing state budget priorities.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly states tax revenue will fund K-12 education per legislative findings, directly increasing education funding.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly allocates tax revenue to fund healthcare programs as stated in legislative findings and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax K-12 Education

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5734: Concerning the interstate bridge replacement toll bond authority.

SB 5734 authorizes up to $2.5 billion in state bonds to finance Washington's share of the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project with Oregon, directly affecting bridge toll users and taxpayers paying fuel and vehicle-related fees. The bill establishes that bond repayment will come first from bridge toll revenue, then from fuel taxes and vehicle fees, with no state debt issued without approval from the state financing committee. It clarifies that bonds are secured solely by toll revenue and fees - not general state credit - and requires the legislature to maintain these tolls and taxes to cover bond payments. The project will be funded through partnership with Oregon, sharing both costs and toll revenues equally.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes bonds funded by tolls/fuel fees, securing repayment without new taxes or state debt, promoting fiscal responsibility for infrastructure project.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAuthorizes $2.5B in bonds for I-5 bridge replacement, directly funding transportation infrastructure project with clear repayment structure from tolls and fees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Bridges Roads & Highways

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5791: Increasing state funding to expand access to higher education.

This bill amends Washington State's business tax code, establishing new tax rates for various sectors: 0.275% for international investment management, 1.8% for most business activities (with a reduced 1.5% rate for small businesses and hospitals), and 0.9% for aerospace product development. It requires 16.67% of revenue from the 1.8% tax rate to be deposited into a workforce education investment account (RCW 43.79.195), which funds job training and workforce development programs. The bill does not increase funding for higher education; instead, it redirects business tax revenue to workforce education initiatives. It takes effect October 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates 16.67% of business tax revenue to fund workforce education programs, directly increasing state funding for public services under budget/tax framework.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates 16.67% of business tax revenue to workforce education account (RCW 43.79.195) specifically for job training and higher education access programs.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDirectly funds job training and workforce development programs via tax revenue allocation, advancing employment skills and workforce readiness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Revenue Higher Education Workforce Development

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