Budget & Taxes

passed · Washington · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1073: Keeping our Washington national guard strong act.

HB 1073 creates the Washington National Guard Retention Program to help the state retain military personnel. It directs the Adjutant General to study retention needs - such as length of service and critical skills - and determine reenlistment bonuses to encourage members to extend their service. The program requires clear eligibility criteria and bonus payment schedules, with the state military department mandated to report on retention needs to the governor and legislature every three years starting in 2027. The bill directly affects Washington National Guard members who may qualify for reenlistment bonuses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates state funding for National Guard reenlistment bonuses, directly advancing government spending on military retention through appropriations and reporting requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

signed · Washington · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2543: Concerning county clerk fees.

HB 2543 amends Washington State's county clerk fee structure, primarily affecting individuals filing family law cases and court documents. The key provision requires a $54 fee for initial divorce, legal separation, or marriage validity petitions, with $48 directed to the state domestic violence prevention account and $6 retained by counties (minus 5% for court admin). It also adjusts fees for jury demands ($125/$250), certified document copies ($5/page), and electronic exhibits ($25), while adding reporting requirements for county domestic violence service funding. These changes directly impact court users, counties, and state programs focused on domestic violence prevention.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs $48 of $54 fee to domestic violence prevention fund, increasing state funding for essential services without tax increases for individuals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

passed · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1043: Extending the commute trip reduction tax credit.

HB 1043 extends the state's commute trip reduction tax credit program for employers and property managers until 2035. This program allows eligible entities to claim a tax credit for providing financial incentives to employees who use alternative commuting methods like ride-sharing, public transportation, car-sharing, or non-motorized transport. The bill changes the credit calculation so that the full amount paid to or on behalf of an employee, up to $60 per employee annually, can be credited (previously 50%). It also reduces the maximum credit a single entity can claim per fiscal year from $100,000 to $50,000.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends tax credit program for employers, providing tax relief under state fiscal policy to incentivize sustainable commuting methods.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPromotes alternative commuting methods (public transit, car-sharing), reducing fossil fuel dependence in transportation, aligning with energy efficiency goals.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends tax credit for alternative commuting methods (public transit, carpooling), reducing vehicle emissions and promoting sustainable transportation.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExtends tax credit for employer incentives promoting public transit, ride-sharing, and sustainable commuting, directly advancing sustainable transportation policies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5161: Making transportation appropriations for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium.

SB 5161 establishes the transportation budget for Washington State for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, allocating funds to various state agencies for infrastructure and services. It appropriates specific amounts from designated accounts to cover employee compensation, capital projects, and operational expenses across multiple state departments. Key provisions include funding for road maintenance and programs designed to increase opportunities for women and minority-owned businesses in the transportation sector. Additionally, the bill funds a tribal electric boat grant program and supports a sustainable aviation fuel institute.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds for transportation infrastructure and operations, directly implementing budgetary appropriations for public services per fiscal management guidelines.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly allocates funds for road maintenance and transportation infrastructure projects per summary, directly advancing transportation funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5195: Concerning the capital budget.

SB 5195 adopts the capital budget for the state of Washington for the period ending June 30, 2027. This bill appropriates specific dollar amounts from various state funds to be spent on capital projects. Key provisions include funding for infrastructure improvements like the Puget Sound Regional Archives HVAC system and allocations for hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It also provides grants for the development, expansion, and renovation of public and private early learning education facilities. This bill directly affects state agencies, educational institutions, and communities benefiting from these capital investments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directly appropriates funds for capital projects including infrastructure and early learning facilities, aligning with 'funds essential programs' under budget & taxes support indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Washington · House May 20, 2025

HB 1958: Concerning the interstate bridge replacement toll bond authority.

HB 1958 authorizes Washington State to issue up to $2.5 billion in bonds to fund the design, construction, and replacement of the aging I-5 bridge across the Columbia River, in partnership with Oregon. The bonds would be repaid solely from toll revenue collected on the bridge and specific excise taxes on fuel and vehicle-related fees, not general state funds. The bill establishes that tolls and these taxes must continue to cover bond payments, with the legislature pledging to maintain these revenue streams. It also requires legislative approval for bond issuance and specifies that proceeds can only be used for the bridge project, bond costs, or related financing. This law, effective July 2025, provides a dedicated financing mechanism for the bridge replacement without creating direct state debt.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes bonds funded by tolls and excise taxes (fuel/vehicle fees), avoiding general state funds, demonstrating fiscal responsibility in project financing.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAuthorizes $2.5B in bonds for I-5 bridge replacement, funded by transportation-related tolls/taxes, directly advancing infrastructure maintenance and safety.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5194: Concerning state general obligation bonds and related accounts.

SB 5194 authorizes the state of Washington to issue nearly $4.7 billion in general obligation bonds. These bonds will finance various state capital projects outlined in the 2023-2025 and 2025-2027 fiscal biennia and future biennia. The proceeds are deposited into state building construction accounts and then transferred to specific accounts, including those for outdoor recreation, habitat conservation, farm and forest preservation, and early learning facilities. The state pledges its full faith and credit for repayment, using general state revenues to cover the principal and interest on these bonds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $4.7B in bonds to fund capital projects including recreation, conservation, and education facilities, advancing state budget priorities through targeted appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds early learning facilities, a direct educational infrastructure investment under bond proceeds for state capital projects.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds habitat conservation, farm/forest preservation, and outdoor recreation accounts from bond proceeds, directly advancing environmental protection priorities.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Washington · House May 19, 2025

HB 2047: Eliminating the Washington employee ownership program.

HB 2047 phases out the Washington employee ownership program. It shortens the period during which businesses can earn tax credits for converting to worker-owned cooperatives, employee ownership trusts, or employee stock ownership plans, moving the deadline for earning credits from June 30, 2029, to June 30, 2025. The bill also makes the program's activities, such as providing technical support and referrals, contingent upon specific funding appropriations. The tax credit provisions are set to expire earlier, effectively eliminating these incentives for businesses.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesPhases out tax credits for worker-owned businesses, reducing tax incentives and making program funding contingent on annual appropriations.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentPhases out tax credits for worker-owned cooperatives, restricting employee ownership program access and funding continuity.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Washington · House May 19, 2025

HB 1848: Concerning services and supports for individuals with traumatic brain injuries.

House Bill 1848 aims to enhance services and supports for individuals living with traumatic brain injuries and their families in Washington State. The bill seeks to rebalance funding priorities to better support in-person support groups and community integration programs, which the legislature identified as underfunded. To generate additional revenue for these services, it increases a specific fee assessed on traffic infractions from $5 to $10. This increased revenue will be deposited into the state's traumatic brain injury account.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases traffic infraction fee from $5 to $10 to fund brain injury services, directly generating revenue for public programs.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Washington · Senate May 19, 2025

SB 5662: Concerning the waiver of municipal utility connection charges for certain properties.

SB 5662 allows municipal utilities to waive connection charges for properties developed by certain non-profit organizations, public authorities, or local agencies that provide emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, or affordable housing. Generally, these waivers must be funded by general funds, grants, or other identified revenue streams. However, in large counties east of the Cascade mountains, waivers can be granted without explicit funding if the developer records a covenant. This covenant restricts the property's use to the specified affordable housing purposes and requires repayment of the waived charges if the property's use changes or no longer meets eligibility requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates waivers be funded by general funds/grants, directing budget allocation toward affordable housing programs, aligning with funding essential services.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill waives utility connection fees for affordable housing projects, reducing development costs for non-profits and public agencies providing housing solutions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes