Substitute Senate Bill 5431 modifies certain tax and revenue laws without impacting state or local tax collections. It updates legislative intent regarding the extension of preferential tax rates for manufacturers and wholesalers in the solar silicon industry, tying future extensions to employment and wage growth criteria. Additionally, the bill amends rules for sellers concerning their personal liability for uncollected sales tax. It clarifies conditions for sellers to be relieved from this liability, including removing the requirement for them to renew blanket exemption certificates for recurring customers.
This bill establishes a temporary moratorium on most new special license plates until January 1, 2029, though it allows for special plates specifically created within this act. It creates a Special License Work Group within the Department of Licensing to review the current special license plate program. This work group will develop recommendations by 2028 to improve the application process, cost management, transparency of funds
SB 5393 mandates the closure of the Rainier School, a residential habilitation center for individuals with developmental disabilities. The bill prohibits new long-term admissions upon its effective date and all admissions by June 30, 2027, with the school ceasing operations once its long-term resident census reaches zero. Current residents will be offered alternative placements, such as state-operated living alternatives or other residential habilitation centers, with individualized transition plans prioritizing their choices and needs. The Department of Social and Health Services must also offer opportunities to Rainier School employees at other state facilities and submit regular reports on the transition process and outcomes.
Senate Bill 5651 increases the amount of personal property that individuals can keep when their assets are subject to garnishment in non-bankruptcy cases. It raises the general exemption for "other personal property" from $3,000 to $6,000. The bill also specifically increases the protected amount for financial assets like bank accounts and stocks to $5,000 for various debt types. Additionally, starting in 2027, these exemption amounts will be adjusted every three years based on changes in the consumer price index.
HB 2039 amends a previous act related to child support pass through policies. The bill specifically changes the effective date of that prior legislation from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2029. This action delays the implementation of the child support pass through policies for affected families and individuals by three years.
House Bill 1219 revises the structure and lifespan of the Interbranch Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, alongside local government and court officials. The bill expands the committee's membership by adding one judicial branch representative and two non-voting members from public defense and civil legal aid. It outlines various discussion topics for the committee, such as funding legislative mandates and court technology, and allows the committee to set its own meeting schedule. Additionally, the bill extends the committee's expiration date by five years, to January 1, 2031. It also removes the previous mandate for the committee to make formal recommendations to the legislature.
This bill creates a new business and occupation (B&O) tax deduction and increases the B&O tax rate for entities conducting payment card processing activities. It allows payment card processors, including acquirers and issuers, to deduct specific amounts like interchange fees and network fees from their taxable gross income. The legislation aims to address the unique financial structures of payment system arrangements for these processors. These changes modify existing state tax laws and are set to become effective on January 1, 2026.
SB 5232 updates the Essential Needs and Housing Support (ENHS) program in Washington State, impacting individuals eligible for these services and the entities that provide them. The bill allows designated support entities to use funds more flexibly to provide essential needs items and housing support to recipients. A significant change is the allowance of direct cash assistance, including through debit cash cards, when identified in a client's housing stability plan, removing a prior restriction. It also expands eligibility to include certain low or extremely low-income elderly or disabled adults transitioning off other benefits. Additionally, the bill aligns the administration rate for ENHS entities with other programs funded by the home security fund.
This bill modifies the Washington college grant and college bound scholarship programs, impacting students seeking financial aid for higher education in Washington state. It codifies the maximum eligibility for the Washington college grant to students with family incomes up to 60 percent of the state median family income. The bill also adjusts how maximum grant amounts are calculated for various institutions, including private universities and apprenticeship programs, with some changes taking effect in the 2026-27 academic year. Additionally, it updates criteria for institutional eligibility, specifically for out-of-state affiliated institutions, to participate in these financial aid programs.
This bill updates and modernizes the Washington state health plan by revising the duties of the Office of Financial Management (OFM) regarding health planning. It designates OFM as the coordinating body for strategic health planning and expands its access to various health care data sources, such as the all-payer claims database, to inform its efforts. OFM is now required to develop a statewide health resources strategy, in coordination with stakeholders, to establish policies and goals for health care facility and service availability, quality, and cost by geographic region. The bill also updates definitions for various health facilities, including changing "psychiatric hospitals" to "behavioral health hospitals."
HB 1163 enhances requirements for firearm purchases, transfers, and possession in Washington state. The bill mandates that individuals obtain a valid permit to purchase firearms from the Washington State Patrol firearms background check program before acquiring a firearm. It also specifies requirements for firearms safety training programs, outlines circumstances for delayed firearm transfers, and requires recordkeeping for all transfers. These changes directly affect individuals seeking to purchase or transfer firearms and licensed firearm dealers, modifying the existing background check and sales processes.
SB 5101 expands existing Washington State protections for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking to also include employees who are victims of hate crimes or bias incidents, or whose family members are victims. The bill allows these employees to take reasonable leave from work, which can be intermittent or on a reduced schedule, with or without pay. This leave can be used for reasons such as seeking legal assistance, medical treatment, counseling, or engaging in safety planning related to the hate crime. Employers are required to provide reasonable safety accommodations and may ask for verification of the incident and the need for leave.
