February 13 Legislative Update
We’re now halfway through the session!
Over the next few weeks we’ll see which bills advance to Governor Ferguson and where the budget ultimately lands. We’re hearing the budget may drop on February 22 with a first hearing on the 23, though timing may shift.
Pass the Millionaire’s Tax!
Critical services in Washington are at risk if we don’t find new revenue sources. We can’t afford to continue to reach into the pockets of Washington’s working families and those already struggling to make ends-meet.
The “millionaires tax” is a step in the right direction to bring some equity to Washington’s regressive tax code. Let’s email the Senate today, asking them to move the Millionaire’s’ Tax forward and vote yes.
The proposal introduced this week would:
- Create a 9.9% tax on personal adjusted gross income over $1 million.
- Exclude income from home sales and certain small businesses.
- Tax non‑resident professional athletes on income tied to Washington. Some college athletes with NIL earnings may also be included.
Where we are in the session and important dates
Key Dates
Short sessions move fast — here are the deadlines to watch:
Feb 17 – House of Origin Cutoff
Feb 25 – Opposite House Policy Committee Cutoff
Mar 2 – Opposite House Fiscal Committee Cutoff
Mar 6 – Opposite House Cutoff
Mar 12 – Final Day (Sine Die)
Bill Updates (as of February 13)
SB 5855 – Prohibiting law enforcement face coverings
Moved quickly through the Senate; first House hearing set for Feb. 18 in Community Safety.
Action: Sign in PRO by 9:30 AM, Feb. 18.
SB 5974 – Updating sheriff/police chief requirements
Modernizes eligibility rules, limits volunteer/cadet use, and creates new background checks.
Status: Passed out of Senate with no floor amendments
HB 2266 – Siting requirements for housing & shelters
Requires jurisdictions to allow transitional housing, supportive housing, and emergency shelters outside industrial zones; limits additional permitting requirements.
Status: Pulled from Rules Committee, likely to be voted on soon.
HB 2489 – Restrictions on enforcing public‑space law (sit and lie bill)
Bars enforcement of laws criminalizing life‑sustaining activities unless adequate shelter is available.
Status: In Rules; must be pulled for a floor vote.
HB 2105 – Worker notification of federal immigration audits
Requires employers to notify workers within 72 hours of federal inspections and results; enables AG enforcement and private civil actions.
Status: Pulled from Rules; likely to be voted on soon.
HB 1974 – County land banks for affordable housing
Allows counties to create land banks to acquire/manage land for affordable housing and anti‑displacement efforts; includes grants and tax exemptions.
Status: Voted off house floor with one amendment which removes the real estate excise tax exemption for sales and transfers of real property to land bank.
SB 6346 – Millionaires Tax
Creates a 9.9% tax on income above $1M beginning in 2028; increases small‑business B&O credit.
Status: Pulled from Rules; heading to second reading; vote expected this week.
SB 6027 – Local tax use for housing services
Expands allowable uses of local sales/use tax for housing and updates definitions for nonprofit emergency housing property‑tax exemptions.
Status: Pulled from Rules; heading to second reading; vote expected this week.
HB 2523 – Community Reinvestment Program
Ensures permanent funding and implementation requirements for CRP.
Status: Pulled from Rules, likely to be voted on soon (will have amendments)