Budget & Taxes (State Budget)

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 · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5362: Concerning victims of crime act funding.

SB 5362 creates a new state Victims of Crime Act account in Washington's treasury to stabilize funding for victim services. Starting in fiscal year 2026, it mandates annual state transfers from the general fund: $50 million yearly for 2026-2029, increasing to $60 million for 2030-2033, then $70 million annually thereafter. Funds must supplement (not replace) existing victim services funding, cannot cover capital projects, and may be used to match federal funds. The Office of Crime Victims Advocacy must report on service needs and funding levels every five years, with a first report due in 2039. This bill directly affects county-level victim service programs across Washington state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates annual general fund transfers ($50M-$70M) to stabilize victim services funding, directly increasing state budget allocation for public services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds victim services within criminal justice system, stabilizing and increasing annual allocations for victim support programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Victims' Rights

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2027: Increasing the supply of affordable and workforce housing.

HB 2027 increases real estate transfer taxes on property sales above specific thresholds to fund affordable housing programs. The tax applies at 1.1% for sales under $500,000, 1.28% for $500,000-$1.5 million, 2.75% for $1.5-$3 million, and 3% for sales over $3 million. Revenue from these taxes will support state housing programs targeting low- and middle-income households, including seniors, veterans, farmworkers, and others facing housing insecurity. The bill aims to build over 500,000 new affordable homes for residents earning under 50% of area median income by addressing supply shortages.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases real estate transfer taxes on high-value properties to fund affordable housing programs for low/middle-income households, directly allocating tax revenue to public services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds affordable housing via progressive real estate taxes on high-value sales, targeting low/middle-income households and aiming to build 500k+ units.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly funds housing programs targeting veterans as a designated beneficiary group alongside seniors and others facing housing insecurity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2026: Creating the fairness in education funding act.

HB 2026, the "Fairness in Education Funding Act," aims to create equitable school funding by replacing local levies (which disproportionately benefit wealthier districts) with uniform state-funded allocations. The bill sets new minimum state salary levels for school staff that will apply equally to all public school districts, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools starting in the 2026-27 school year. Specifically, it establishes baseline salaries of $100,033 (adjusted for inflation) for certificated instructional staff, $179,857 for certificated administrative staff, and $71,082 for classified staff. Regional adjustments to these salaries will phase out after the 2025-26 school year, ensuring all districts receive identical state funding for staff compensation regardless of location or local wealth.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReplaces local levies with uniform state-funded allocations, mandating increased state budget expenditure for equitable education salaries.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationReplaces inequitable local levies with uniform state funding and sets $100,033+ baseline salaries for all school staff, directly advancing equitable funding and teacher compensation.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes $100,033 baseline salary for all school staff, directly increasing wages and setting uniform employment standards per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget School Funding

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1120: Determining state allocations for school staff salaries.

HB 1120 sets new minimum state salary allocation targets for school staff in Washington's basic education program, directly affecting all public school districts. It requires the state to gradually increase minimum salary allocations to reach $67,325 (adjusted for inflation from 2023-24) for classified staff (e.g., office, support roles) starting in the 2025-26 school year, with further increases to $99,164 for classified administrative staff by 2027-28. The bill mandates annual inflation adjustments and regional cost-of-living adjustments based on school district housing values, as specified in the annual budget. These changes aim to align state funding with actual staffing costs, replacing previous formulas that expired after the 2017-18 school year. The bill is currently pending in the Appropriations Committee after being prefaced in December 2024.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates increased state budget allocations for school staff salaries, directly funding public education through mandatory annual funding increases and inflation adjustments.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates state funding increases for school staff salaries, setting minimum targets to reach $99,164 by 2027-28 with annual inflation adjustments.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentSets new minimum salary targets for school staff, mandating inflation-adjusted increases to $99,164 by 2027-28, directly advancing wage standards for public school workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget School Funding

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1839: Increasing the investments in our workforce by amending the advanced computing surcharge.

HB 1839 imposes a 1.22% surcharge on select advanced computing businesses with global revenue exceeding $25 billion annually, targeting large tech firms engaged in software, cloud services, or platforms like social media. The tax applies to affiliated groups (e.g., parent companies and subsidiaries), with exemptions for hospitals and healthcare providers. Revenue generated will fund workforce programs, including expanding the Washington College Grant for families earning up to 70% of median income, increasing STEM teacher training, growing in-state college seats, and supporting student work-study in STEM fields. The bill aims to address a projected 600,000-worker shortfall by directing funds to education and training aligned with high-demand sectors like technology and healthcare.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes new tax on large tech firms to fund workforce programs, directly increasing state revenue allocation for public services per summary.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates surcharge revenue to expand Washington College Grant, directly increasing higher education access for low-income families.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds workforce programs including Washington College Grant expansion for low-income families, directly advancing employment opportunities and education access per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Fees & Licensing State Budget Higher Education Teachers

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1338: Concerning school operating costs.

HB 1338 revises Washington state's formula for distributing basic education funding to school districts. It establishes specific per-pupil funding levels based on "prototypical" school models (e.g., 600 students for high schools, 432 for middle schools, 400 for elementary schools), setting minimum class size requirements (like 17 students per teacher in K-3) and staff ratios for roles including teachers, librarians, paraeducators, and support staff. The bill mandates transparency by requiring the superintendent to publish per-pupil funding data online and school districts to link to it on their websites. This directly affects all public school districts in Washington, determining how state funds are allocated for core instructional programs and operational costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRevises education funding formula to establish minimum per-pupil levels and staff ratios, increasing state appropriations for public schools.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes minimum per-pupil funding levels, class size limits (17:1 K-3), and staff ratios (teachers/librarians/paraeducators), directly advancing school resource allocation and educational quality standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Libraries School Funding Teachers

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2084: Increasing funding for K-12, health care, and public safety by repealing or modifying tax preferences for certain industries and goods.

House Bill 2084 seeks to increase state funding for K-12 education, health care, and public safety by modifying certain tax preferences. The bill repeals an existing tax exclusion, making sales of precious metal bullion and monetized bullion subject to state taxes. Additionally, it clarifies that businesses operating self-service storage facilities are subject to the state's business and occupation (B&O) tax for renting or leasing individual storage spaces. These changes aim to generate revenue for the specified public services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill closes tax loopholes (repealing bullion tax exclusion, clarifying B&O tax) to generate revenue for K-12, healthcare, and public safety funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly increases K-12 education funding by generating revenue through tax changes to fund schools, health care, and public safety.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly increases healthcare funding by generating revenue through tax changes targeting precious metal sales and storage facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax State Budget K-12 Education

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1808: Creating an affordable homeownership revolving loan fund program.

HB 1808 creates a state-funded revolving loan program to support permanently affordable homeownership for low-income households. The program provides loans (up to 50% of project costs) to nonprofit developers building housing that remains affordable for at least 99 years through long-term restrictions on resale and ownership. Loans carry interest rates between 1% and 2.5%, with repayments recycled into the fund to finance new projects. This directly affects low-income homebuyers (defined as households earning ≤80% of local median income) and nonprofit developers who build housing meeting specific affordability standards.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesState allocates budget funds to create a revolving loan program for affordable housing, directly funding a public service for low-income households.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates state-funded revolving loan program for low-income homeownership, providing affordable financing with long-term affordability restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Affordable Housing Homeownership Housing Finance

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1959: Eliminating the office of equity.

HB 1959 proposes eliminating Washington State's Office of Equity and repealing eight related laws (RCW 43.06D.010 through 43.06D.901) to save taxpayers $19.5 million annually. The bill directly affects the state budget and the Office of Equity, which was established in 2020 to address equity issues across state agencies. Key provisions include removing the office’s legal foundation, its director appointment process, reporting requirements, and related diversity initiatives within the Washington State Patrol. The legislature states this action aligns with prioritizing funding for "safe streets, excellent schools, and infrastructure" while reducing the tax burden. The bill does not prevent the office from operating as a nonprofit but removes its state-funded structure.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill eliminates Office of Equity, saving $19.5M annually by defunding a state program. Direct budget cut aligns with 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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