Budget & Taxes (Revenue)

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2055: Establishing a state revenue limit and directing excess revenues be deposited in the budget stabilization account.

HB 2055 establishes a yearly limit on Washington state revenue growth, calculated using inflation and population changes, to prevent budget expansions without new funding. It requires the state revenue limit committee to adjust this cap annually based on actual collections and economic data, and lowers the limit if state programs shift funding away from the general fund. The bill mandates that any revenue exceeding this limit - after accounting for constitutional transfers - must be deposited into the budget stabilization account by June 30 each year. This directly affects state budgeting processes and the management of the stabilization fund, which holds reserves for economic downturns.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesLimits annual revenue growth to prevent budget expansions, directing excess funds to stabilization instead of new spending. Directly restricts discretionary budget growth.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Revenue State Budget

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1887: Creating a data broker registry for the purpose of imposing a data broker severance tax.

HB 1887 requires data brokers - businesses that collect, aggregate, and sell Washington residents' personal information without consent - to register annually with the Department of Licensing starting in 2026. It defines "brokered personal data" broadly (including names, addresses, biometric details, and social security numbers) and exempts consumer reporting agencies, financial institutions under federal law, and services providing public business info or health/safety alerts. Data brokers must submit basic contact details and pay an annual registration fee, with the revenue intended to fund state programs. The bill aims to create transparency about this industry while generating state revenue from a growing business model.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes new data broker severance tax, creating direct revenue stream for state budget without targeting individuals.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates data brokers selling personal information without consent via registration and severance tax, directly strengthening data privacy protections as defined in the bill's scope.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Revenue Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2043: Concerning transportation resources.

HB 2043 addresses Washington's transportation funding challenges by creating new revenue sources to replace declining fuel tax income. It responds to rising construction costs and reduced fuel tax revenue caused by more fuel-efficient vehicles. The bill aims to ensure reliable funding for roads, transit, and infrastructure that support residents' mobility and the state's economic growth. It does not specify exact funding methods but targets multiple revenue streams to maintain transportation system service levels.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new revenue sources to replace declining fuel tax income, ensuring reliable transportation funding through multiple revenue streams to maintain infrastructure spending.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates new revenue streams to maintain transportation funding for roads, transit, and infrastructure, ensuring continued support for mobility and economic growth.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Transportation Funding

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5726: Establishing new sources of transportation revenue based on motor vehicle use of public roadways.

SB 5726 establishes a per-mile road usage fee to replace declining fuel tax revenue as vehicles become more fuel-efficient. It creates a voluntary program for electric/hybrid vehicles (starting July 2027) and mandates the fee for all vehicles by 2035, phased in based on fuel economy (e.g., all EVs required starting 2029, internal combustion engines with ≥40 MPG required starting 2031). The fee replaces existing registration and electrification fees for enrolled vehicles, maintaining current revenue levels for road maintenance and transportation systems. The bill explicitly requires privacy protections for location data collected under the program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new mileage-based fee to replace declining fuel tax revenue, ensuring stable transportation funding and promoting fiscal responsibility without increasing taxpayer burden.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPhases in road usage fees for low-efficiency vehicles and mandates EVs by 2029, incentivizing cleaner transportation and reducing emissions.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes per-mile fee to replace declining fuel tax revenue, ensuring continued funding for transportation infrastructure maintenance as vehicle efficiency increases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Revenue Electric Vehicles Transportation Funding Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5264: Modifying retail taxes compacts between the state of Washington and federally recognized tribes located in Washington state by increasing the revenue-sharing percentages when a compacting tribe has completed a qualified capital investment.

SB 5264 modifies tax compacts between Washington State and federally recognized tribes by increasing revenue-sharing percentages for tribes that complete qualified capital investments. It directly affects tribes with existing compacts, requiring the state to pay them 100% of state sales/use tax revenue above a $500,000 annual cap (instead of 25%) on transactions not meeting "new development" requirements, starting in the fourth year after the compact's effective date. The bill also establishes processes for verifying capital investments, resolving disputes, and maintaining confidentiality of tax records. This change aims to incentivize tribal infrastructure projects while clarifying revenue distribution terms under current compacts.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesIncreases tribal revenue share from 25% to 100% of tax revenue above $500k cap, reducing state tax revenue and weakening state budget position.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1997: Cutting statewide property tax revenues by 10 percent without creating a shift to other taxpayers.

HB 1997 reduces Washington State's statewide property tax revenue by 10% for calendar years 2026 through 2028, directly affecting all property taxpayers across the state. It modifies existing tax laws to set new levy limits for state property taxes, requiring a 10% reduction from the "highest lawful levy" amounts for those years. The bill explicitly prohibits shifting the tax burden to other taxpayers or revenue sources, maintaining the same total tax revenue level without increasing other taxes. This change applies only to state-level property taxes for common schools and related programs, not local property taxes. The measure is limited to the 2026-2028 timeframe, with tax levies reverting to standard rules after 2028.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reduces property tax revenue by 10% without shifting burden, providing direct tax relief for property taxpayers as explicitly stated.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1921: Establishing new sources of transportation revenue based on motor vehicle use of public roadways.

HB 1921 establishes a mileage-based road usage fee system to replace declining fuel tax revenue, directly affecting vehicle owners - starting with electric/hybrid vehicles in 2027 and phasing in conventional vehicles based on fuel efficiency by 2035. The bill creates a voluntary program for EVs/hybrids (2027-2029) and a mandatory program for increasingly efficient conventional vehicles (starting 2029), replacing existing registration fees like those in RCW 46.17.323/324. Fees are calculated per mile driven, with privacy protections for location data emphasized as a core requirement. The phased approach aims to maintain current transportation funding levels while adapting to fuel-efficient vehicle adoption.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes new mileage-based tax revenue to replace declining fuel taxes, ensuring sustainable transportation funding without defunding road maintenance programs.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates mileage-based fee system to fund transportation infrastructure, replacing declining fuel tax revenue and directly addressing road usage funding needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Electric Vehicles Transportation Funding Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HJR 4206: Amending the Constitution to require a two-thirds majority vote of the legislature to raise taxes.

HJR 4206 proposes amending Washington's Constitution to require a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate to raise taxes. It defines "raises taxes" broadly as any legislative action increasing state tax revenue deposited into any fund or account, regardless of where the funds go. The amendment would prevent tax increases from passing with a simple majority, requiring broader legislative consensus. It also maintains the existing process allowing tax increases to be referred to voters via referendum. This bill directly affects how the legislature passes tax-related measures.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRestricts tax increases by mandating two-thirds legislative approval, limiting ability to raise revenue per bill's explicit definition of tax actions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Revenue State Budget

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1786: Adding public safety facilities to the allowable uses of revenues for local infrastructure financing projects.

HB 1786 amends Washington state law to allow local governments to use tax increment financing (TIF) revenues for public safety facilities. Specifically, it adds "public safety facilities" (defined as police, fire, emergency medical, or similar services infrastructure) to the list of eligible public improvements under TIF programs. This change directly affects cities, counties, and other local governments using TIF to fund infrastructure projects, enabling them to allocate TIF revenues toward facilities like fire stations or police buildings. The bill modifies existing definitions in RCW 39.89.020 (section 8(a)(ix)) to include these facilities as allowable uses, without altering TIF revenue collection or distribution mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands TIF revenue use for public safety facilities (police/fire), enabling local governments to fund essential services with existing tax increment financing.92% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly permits TIF funding for police/fire facilities, directly advancing law enforcement infrastructure within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax Policing Tags Public Safety

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1986: Concerning the application of taxes to sales of motor vehicles for use in retail car rentals.

HB 1986 would impose a new 5.9% tax on motor vehicle sales to businesses that use the vehicles for retail car rentals, directly affecting car rental companies purchasing vehicles for their fleets. This tax applies specifically to vehicles bought for rental operations (not individual car sales) and must be paid by the rental company at the time of purchase. Revenue from this tax will fund the state’s multimodal transportation account. The bill amends existing tax law to create this targeted tax, with the rate applying to sales occurring on or after October 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes new 5.9% tax on rental companies to fund multimodal transportation account, directly increasing state revenue for public infrastructure spending.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill imposes tax on rental vehicle sales to fund multimodal transportation account, directly advancing infrastructure funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Revenue Sales Tax Driver Licensing Transportation Funding Vehicle Registration

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