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.
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.
HB 1498 establishes a grant program to help cities and counties create and operate domestic violence co-responder programs. These programs deploy domestic violence victim advocates alongside law enforcement to provide on-scene support, resources, and care navigation for victims and their families. The bill creates a dedicated state treasury account, funded primarily by an additional $100 fee on marriage licenses, to support this initiative. The Office of Crime Victims Advocacy will administer these grants, also providing technical assistance and support for billing health insurance for services.
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.
House Bill 1733 increases the maximum reimbursement amounts for moving and relocation expenses for individuals, businesses, farms, and nonprofit organizations displaced by government agency projects. The bill raises the general cap for reestablishing a displaced business, farm, or nonprofit to $200,000. Additionally, it sets a temporary cap of $100,000 for state agency displacements until August 1, 2030, and mandates an annual 2% inflation adjustment to these caps starting in August 2025.
HB 1473 appropriates $77,687,000 from the state's budget stabilization account to the Department of Natural Resources. These funds are specifically designated to cover fire suppression costs incurred by the department during the 2024 fire season. The bill addresses a state of emergency declared due to wildfires, aiming to support the state's response to these catastrophic events. It includes an emergency clause, making its provisions effective immediately upon enactment.
Senate Bill 5516 modifies the property tax exemption for community centers. It expands the definition of "community center" to include properties deemed surplus by a university, not just local school boards. If a nonprofit organization acquires such university surplus property and converts it into community facilities for nonresidential services, it becomes eligible for a property tax exemption. This specific exemption applies to property taxes levied for collection between 2026 and 2035. The bill also clarifies that these community centers may rent or loan out space within their facilities.
This bill updates the formula for allocating state funding to support basic education in Washington state school districts. It outlines how funds are distributed based on the resources needed for "prototypical" elementary, middle, and high schools. The formula specifies minimum staffing levels for classroom teachers, including average class sizes for various grades and subjects, and allocations for other essential school staff like principals and support personnel. Additionally, it mandates the Superintendent of Public Instruction to report per-pupil allocations for different programs to enhance transparency, while generally allowing districts flexibility in how they use these funds.
HB 1912 establishes a system for tracking and reporting sales of fuel used for agricultural purposes, which are exempt from the state's Climate Commitment Act. Fuel sellers, including retail stations and suppliers, can register with the Department of Ecology to track and report these exempt sales. Registered sellers must make exempt fuel available at a differential rate or credit purchasers to reflect the absence of associated compliance costs under the climate act. This ensures the agricultural exemption is properly applied and monitored, affecting fuel sellers, suppliers, and agricultural users starting January 1, 2026.
Senate Bill 5682 extends a tax credit for businesses participating in the Washington customized employment training program. This credit allows businesses to claim 50% of their payments made to the employment training finance account. The bill moves the tax credit's expiration date from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2031, with the goal of aiding in attracting and retaining jobs in Washington. It also updates the reporting requirements for the college board regarding the program's use and distribution.
