Washington Bills

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5312: Concerning net nanny operations involving fictitious minors.

Washington State's SB 5312 creates a separate registration requirement for individuals convicted of attempting, soliciting, or conspiring to commit sex offenses against "fictitious minors" in undercover law enforcement sting operations (where officers pose as minors online). It specifically applies to people with no prior history of predatory offenses against real minors, who must register for only five years after release if they spend five consecutive years in the community without new offenses. This differs from standard registration periods, which often require lifelong tracking for similar crimes involving actual victims. The bill aims to align registration requirements with the nature of these sting operations while still addressing public safety concerns.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1499: Concerning legal financial obligations.

HB 1499 eliminates enforcement of certain court-imposed costs, fees, and interest on legal financial obligations for people convicted of crimes. It automatically nullifies these debts after the effective date, prohibits courts from accepting payments for them, and creates a new process for courts to waive uncollectible portions upon offender request. The bill specifically excludes restitution from these changes but allows clerks to seek judicial orders waiving costs, fees, and accrued interest. This applies to existing debts eliminated by the law, directly affecting individuals with outstanding criminal justice-related financial obligations.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

Julia Reed (D) · 19 co-sponsors

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5080: Making financial education instruction a graduation requirement.

Washington's SB 5080 requires all public high school students to complete financial education instruction to graduate, beginning with the 2033 class. School districts must provide courses aligned with existing state learning standards by the 2029-30 school year, offering flexible options like regular classes, online learning, or career programs. The bill mandates districts to submit implementation plans by December 2025 and allows individual waivers for students who moved to Washington after previous graduation requirements were met. This applies to all Washington public high schools, including charter and tribal schools, without creating new curriculum but making existing financial education standards a graduation requirement.

Topics ✓ Education

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 & Taxes

Gerry Pollet (D) · 30 co-sponsors

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1538: Providing capital financial assistance to small school districts with demonstrated funding challenges.

HB 1538 creates a new grant program to help small, financially struggling school districts (with 1,000 students or fewer) modernize or rebuild aging school buildings. It requires projects to address critical safety issues like seismic risks, outdated infrastructure, and accessibility barriers in buildings over 30 years old and rated "poor" by the state. Districts must first secure a planning grant to assess needs before applying for construction grants, with funding prioritized based on financial need and building conditions. Grants cover project planning, design, and construction costs (excluding district administration), but cannot exceed 110% of the statewide average cost per square foot.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1694: Concerning revenues from the excise tax on real estate transactions imposed by cities and counties under RCW 82.46.035.

HB 1694 modifies how Washington cities and counties can use revenues from local real estate transaction taxes (up to 0.25% of sale price). It requires local governments to specify in budgets how these funds finance capital projects like roads, parks, or infrastructure, and mandates that tax revenues must be used solely for those purposes (with limited exceptions for operations until 2023). The bill explicitly allows using funds for homelessness and affordable housing projects through interlocal collaborations, while restricting new spending to 25% of available funds annually (capped at $1 million) for such projects. It also requires documentation of future funding plans for traditional capital projects and temporarily suspends tax authority if local governments fail to comply with reporting rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1685: Restructuring fish and wildlife governance.

HB 1685 restructures Washington’s fish and wildlife governance by shifting executive leadership from a commission to a governor-appointed director with senate approval. The director becomes the department’s chief executive, responsible for day-to-day operations, while the commission remains an advisory body for public input and tribal collaboration. The bill requires the director to form an interagency work group (including state agencies and tribal representatives) to improve coordination on wildlife issues and submit a 2026 report to the legislature. It also updates statutes to clarify the department’s role in managing fish/wildlife resources and ensures the commission retains final approval over tribal agreements and the department’s budget. The work group provisions expire August 31, 2026.

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1872: Concerning firearms.

HB 1872 expands exemptions from certain firearm restrictions for specific groups in Washington State. It exempts current and retired peace officers, military personnel, veterans, shooting sports instructors, and concealed pistol license holders from background check waiting periods after they’ve already passed background checks. The bill also creates new exemptions for these groups regarding restrictions on "excess capacity magazines" and "assault weapons" under existing law. These changes directly affect the named groups by reducing regulatory barriers for firearm access and use while maintaining existing background checks. The bill does not change the definition of "assault weapon" but clarifies exemptions for authorized individuals under the new provisions.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2027: Increasing the supply of affordable and workforce housing.

HB 2027 increases real estate transfer taxes on property sales above specific thresholds to fund affordable housing programs. The tax applies at 1.1% for sales under $500,000, 1.28% for $500,000-$1.5 million, 2.75% for $1.5-$3 million, and 3% for sales over $3 million. Revenue from these taxes will support state housing programs targeting low- and middle-income households, including seniors, veterans, farmworkers, and others facing housing insecurity. The bill aims to build over 500,000 new affordable homes for residents earning under 50% of area median income by addressing supply shortages.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5511: Regarding low-proof alcoholic beverages.

SB 5511 defines "low-proof beverage" as drinks under 16 ounces containing more than 0.5% but less than 7% alcohol by volume, excluding wine, malt beverages, and malt liquor. This new classification will determine how such products are regulated under Washington's liquor laws. It directly affects businesses selling these beverages, including flavored malt beverages and certain cocktails, by clarifying their regulatory category. The bill amends existing definitions in Washington’s liquor code to establish this category without imposing new restrictions or taxes.

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1924: Providing a sales and use tax exemption for manufacturing facilities and green manufacturing facilities.

HB 1924 provides a sales and use tax exemption for manufacturing facilities and green-certified manufacturing facilities in Washington State, covering construction materials, equipment, labor, and services used in building or renovating these facilities. To qualify, facilities must apply for an exemption certificate with the state department, maintain annual tax performance reports, and green facilities must hold sustainability certification from a recognized organization. The exemption requires valid certificates (expiring after two years unless construction begins) and ends for new applications after July 1, 2035, with all exemptions expiring January 1, 2036. This policy directly affects manufacturers seeking cost savings on facility construction and renovations, while requiring compliance with application and reporting rules.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1841: Establishing the own your own art purchase program.

HB 1841 establishes Washington’s "Own Your Own Art" program, providing interest-free loans of $1,000-$12,000 to eligible residents for purchasing original artwork directly from Washington state artists or participating arts businesses. The program aims to support local artists, stimulate the creative economy, and increase art accessibility by enabling personal art ownership through 12-month repayment terms. Key provisions require applicants to be U.S. residents aged 18+, purchase art for personal use (not export during repayment), and buy works from Washington-based artists or Indigenous artists. The program draws inspiration from Tasmania’s successful 15-year model, which facilitated over $22 million in art sales. It will be administered by the state commission using grants and gifts, with no interest charged on loans.

Bill results