HB 2070 establishes a formula to provide state funding parity for Western Washington University (WWU) by addressing its historically lowest per-student funding among Washington's public universities. Starting with the 2029-2031 budget cycle, the bill requires the legislature to calculate a funding ratio based on carryforward budget levels and full-time equivalent students; if WWU has the lowest ratio, it will receive supplemental funding to match the next-highest regional university. This directly affects WWU students and the university by reducing tuition costs and aligning its funding with peers, as WWU has consistently received less per-student funding despite strong enrollment and graduation rates. The bill aims to support Washington's workforce goals, noting 70% of family-wage jobs require a bachelor's degree and 300,000 additional degree-holders are needed by 2035.
HB 1416 increases taxes on tobacco and vapor products in Washington State. It adds a $0.015 tax per cigarette and establishes new per-milliliter tax rates for vapor products: $0.30 per ml for most products and $0.10 per ml for containers over 5 ml. The bill requires distributors to collect these taxes at the point of sale or distribution and directs 50% of the revenue to cancer research and 50% to public health services. These changes apply to manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and consumers of tobacco and vapor products, with the tax taking effect October 1, 2025.
HB 1318 exempts children's diapers from Washington State's sales and use taxes, directly benefiting parents and caregivers who purchase diapers for infants and toddlers who cannot control bladder or bowel movements. The bill adds specific exemptions to the state's tax code, removing diapers from both sales tax (RCW 82.08) and use tax (RCW 82.12) requirements. It defines "diaper" as reusable or disposable absorbent garments marketed for young children with incontinence needs. The exemption takes effect January 1, 2026.
HB 1417 imposes a new $0.0015 per cigarette tax based on the carbon emissions from cigarette production ("embodied carbon"), starting October 1, 2025. The tax increases every five years beginning October 2030 by 25% plus the annual inflation rate (measured by CPI), rounded to the nearest cent. This tax applies to cigarette manufacturers or sellers who collect it at the point of sale, with all revenue deposited into the state's general fund. The bill directly affects cigarette producers and retailers by adding this carbon-based tax to existing cigarette excise taxes.
HB 2046 imposes a tax of $8 for every $1,000 in market value on Washington residents' financial intangible assets (like stocks, bonds, and mutual funds) exceeding $50 million in value. It exempts assets such as private company ownership, pensions, retirement accounts, and the first $50 million of holdings. Revenue from this tax will fund K-12 schools, early learning programs, child care, and higher education through the Education Legacy Trust Account. The bill targets high-value financial investments held by residents while excluding common retirement and private business assets.
HB 1016 creates a 20% tax credit for Washington employers hiring qualified veterans or spouses of active-duty military members, up to $3,000 per employee annually. To qualify, employees must work full-time (35+ hours/week) for two consecutive quarters, and employers must claim credits electronically. The credit is capped at $5 million total per fiscal year across both this bill and a related provision, with credits expiring for tax years after 2036. This directly affects employers in Washington who hire eligible military-affiliated workers, aiming to incentivize veteran/military family employment through tax relief.
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.
HB 1895 creates a tax credit for Washington small businesses (50 or fewer employees) that pay for employees' educational expenses at accredited institutions. The credit covers 100% of costs for tuition, books, and on-campus lodging related to associate degrees, apprenticeships, or technical programs, up to $20,000 per business annually. Businesses must apply through the state department, and unused credits can be carried forward for one year. The credit expires January 1, 2037 for the benefit amount and January 1, 2038 for the entire provision.
SB 5810 is a budget bill allocating funds for Washington State's 2025-2027 fiscal biennium operations. It provides specific appropriations for state agencies, including $61.7 million for the House of Representatives and $46.3 million for the Senate in fiscal year 2026, along with $14.1 million for the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. The bill includes a provision requiring the audit committee to review juvenile rehabilitation programs, focusing on staffing, safety, programming, and gender equity, with a report due by July 2026. It directly affects state government operations and agencies funded through this legislation. This is a routine appropriations bill, not a policy change.
Senate Bill 5798 proposes reforms to property tax relief for senior citizens, disabled persons, and certain veterans in Washington state. It expands the existing relief program by increasing the maximum valuation amounts for which eligible homeowners can receive property tax exemptions based on their income thresholds. The bill also clarifies eligibility rules, allowing exemptions to continue if a residence is temporarily unoccupied for long-term care and ensuring that cost-of-living adjustments to Social Security or SSI benefits do not disqualify applicants for 2024 property taxes.
