Budget & Taxes

SJR 8201 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow the state to invest moneys from the fund dedicated to long-term care services and supports. This change would directly affect eligible seniors and people with disabilities who receive these services by potentially enhancing the fund's resources. The bill amends Article XXIX, section 1 of the state Constitution to permit the investment of these funds, similar to other public trust funds. Any investment income generated would be specifically dedicated to long-term services and supports for program beneficiaries. This proposed amendment will be submitted to the state's qualified voters for their approval or rejection at the next general election.

House Bill 1341 amends the existing law concerning Washington State's medical cannabis authorization database. It specifically grants the Liquor and Cannabis Board the ability to access this database to verify excise tax exemptions for medical cannabis. This allows the Board to confirm the eligibility of qualifying patients and their designated providers for tax-exempt purchases. The bill also outlines procedures for patient registration, the issuance and renewal of medical cannabis recognition cards, and the retention of database records.

HB 1060 amends Washington state tax law to exempt newspaper publishers and eligible digital content providers from certain taxes. It specifically applies to businesses primarily engaged in printing/publishing newspapers or producing monthly electronic publications with identifiable authorship (e.g., news sites). To maintain the exemption, businesses must file annual tax reports and reduce the exemption by their business expenditures during the tax period. Failure to comply results in a 0.484% tax on related income, plus retroactive interest. The law took effect July 27, 2025.

HB 1094 creates a property tax exemption for nonprofit organizations that loan, lease, or rent property to government entities (like cities, counties, or state agencies) for character-building, benevolent, protective, or rehabilitative social services - such as youth programs, homeless shelters, or community health initiatives. It directly affects qualifying nonprofits that provide these services and government agencies using their facilities. The key provision expands existing tax exemptions by allowing property used by government for these purposes to be exempt, even if owned by a nonprofit. This policy change aims to reduce costs for nonprofits and governments delivering essential community services, effective July 2025.