Transcript Highlights:

• extraordinarily high local sales tax rates.
• Right now our sales tax is 1.75. We want to go up to 2.
• County's property tax, I mean, sales tax.
• And then in another thing, property tax, I mean sales tax.
• Right now our sales tax is 1.75. We want to go up to 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has only pushed sales across borders. We are losing significant revenue.
• </c><00:08:09.400><c> of</c> Tax revenue received from the sale of Tax revenue received from the sale
• Often times the sales of these are used to raise money.
• So sales tax are paid. Jobs are created. Just across the border.
• So sales tax and just base those here. So sales tax are<00:25:51.720><c> paid.

Transcript Highlights:

• The third is a sales tax exemption for marine use. And the fourth is a sales and use tax exemption.
• The sales tax exemption for marine use, and the fourth sales and use tax exemption, were enacted by law
• This leads me to the final legislative auditor's recommendation: continue the sales tax exemption for
• This leads me to the final legislative auditor's recommendation: continue the sales tax exemption for
• If the seller of those wholesale sales... ...of commercial fertilizer, pesticides, and seed.

Summary: The committee first received a JLARC work session on the 2025 tax preference performance reviews, covering nine tax preferences and recommending legislative action on eight. JLARC reviewed natural gas transportation fuel preferences, travel agent and tour operator B&O rates, a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income housing developers, and several shorter reviews including senior center property tax relief, a disabled veteran adapted housing remittance, trade convention nexus treatment, wholesale sales of fertilizer/pesticides/seed, a hazardous substance tax exemption for pesticides stored for out-of-state shipment, and three energy-related preferences for a silicon smelter. JLARC generally recommended continuing preferences that met stated or inferred objectives, modifying some to improve reporting or performance metrics, and allowing the unused silicon smelter preferences to expire. The Citizen Commission endorsed JLARC’s recommendations, and committee members asked a few clarifying questions, including about trends in travel agent/tour operator beneficiaries and the housing exemption’s performance metric and data issues. The committee then heard a work session and public hearing on Senate Bill 5754, which would create a Washington State public bank. A presentation from California public banking advocates and the Bank of North Dakota described public banks as government-owned financial institutions intended to keep public funds working locally, support lending for housing, infrastructure, and community development, and partner with community banks and credit unions. Committee questions focused on leverage, liquidity, constitutional issues, and how the model would interact with existing state investment and debt structures. Staff summarized the bill’s structure, including activation conditions, governance, powers, and fiscal impacts, noting the fiscal note was largely indeterminate and startup costs could be significant. Public testimony on SB 5754 was divided. Supporters included statewide elected officials, county and city officials, labor, educators, community advocates, and residents, who argued the bank could lower borrowing costs, improve access to capital, keep public money in Washington, and help finance infrastructure, housing, and disaster resilience. Opponents included community bankers and county treasurers, who warned about risks to safety and liquidity of public funds, questioned the need for a new institution given existing programs, and argued the proposal lacked a proven track record in Washington. The hearing concluded with no vote taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• , 372 million in sales tax revenue that was lost to the state of Texas.
• It identifies with retail theft, value and includes the sales price, along with the sales tax, and for
• Okay, well it, but it, I mean when you factor in sales tax, first off it's different city...
• There's no sales tax, there's no two cent added on. So it's gonna be different city to city.
• What city they were in and what the sales tax was.

Bills: SB1281 , SB1300 , SB1379 , SB1451 , SB1497 , SB1498 , SB1499

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's just based on the budget and past—it's a prediction of sales tax revenue. Okay, okay.
• So for each sales of, of— But I can give you kind of the broad view.
• So for each sale of sporting goods and fishing equipment, that tax is paid.
• So let's talk about all of those sales.
• Sales tax. Is there other ways as well?

Committee: House Conservation and Natural Resources

Summary: The Committee on Conservation and Natural Resources heard House Bill 2202, sponsored by Rep. Don Mayhew, which would allow active-duty military personnel, 100% disabled veterans, and youth during youth hunt seasons to receive certain hunting permits at no cost. Mayhew argued the bill would help recruit younger hunters, support military members and disabled veterans, and would not threaten conservation funding because the conservation fund has maintained substantial balances. Committee members questioned the bill’s fiscal impact, possible constitutional issues, effects on Pittman-Robertson federal reimbursements, and whether the bill duplicated existing Missouri Department of Conservation exemptions. Some members supported the concept of honoring veterans but suggested other funding mechanisms or clarifying language, and MDC said it would revise the fiscal note after misreading some figures. Testimony on HB 2202 was mostly opposed or informational. An Army veteran testified against the bill, saying current MDC rules already provide significant exemptions for veterans, active-duty personnel, and seniors, and warning the bill could reduce revenue and federal matching funds. MDC Deputy Director Aaron Jeffreys said the department already offers numerous veteran and military exemptions and supports veteran hunts through partnerships with NGOs, but also explained the agency’s fund balance is being used for major capital projects and is expected to decline. Several members and the sponsor debated whether conservation revenues are being held in reserve unnecessarily or are needed for ongoing projects and future obligations. The committee then heard House Bill 1734, sponsored by Rep. Colin Wellenkamp, which would create a Soil Erosion Control Fund Act to help homeowners associations finance erosion mitigation projects through assessments, state fund allocations, and matching local or grant dollars. Wellenkamp and supporters said erosion and flooding are causing major property damage, especially in water-rich and river-adjacent areas, and that the bill would give communities a practical tool to address problems that are too expensive for cities or counties to solve alone. Members from affected districts described severe flooding and erosion impacts, and the sponsor said the bill includes safeguards such as HOA nonprofit status, homeowner approval, and repayment terms to protect taxpayers. HB 1734 drew broad support from witnesses including the Community Associations Institute, a stream restoration business, the Missouri Municipal League, the Sierra Club, the Nature Conservancy of Missouri, and a St. Charles County lobbyist. Supporters said the proposal would help stabilize land, protect homes and property values, improve habitat and water quality, and reduce long-term public costs. No witnesses testified in opposition, and the hearing on HB 1734 concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• In regard to sales tax, the bill permanently exempts certain clothing and shoes with a sales price of
• It permanently exempts gold, silver, and platinum bullion, or any combination, with a sales price of
• Why the sales tax holiday for such a prolonged period?
• Let's start with the good: this year the House passed a major sales tax cut that is a meaningful step
• The inclusion of a sales tax holiday for... ...about what this proposal prioritizes.

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee considered several tax-related measures. SB 674, allowing county property appraisers to budget for and pay hiring or retention bonuses with Department of Revenue approval, was supported by property appraisers and reported favorably. C.S. for SJR 318, as amended, would create a tangible personal property exemption for agricultural land used in agricultural production or agritourism; the amendment clarified the property’s location and allowed the Legislature to define conditions, and the resolution was reported favorably with support from Farm Bureau and the Florida Chamber. The committee also advanced C.S. for SB 1664, as amended, which requires locally approved discretionary taxes to be reauthorized by voters when they expire and sets rules for taxes tied to revenue bonds. Local government and tourism-related groups raised concerns about impacts on tourist development taxes, beach funding, transportation surtaxes, and long-term planning, while supporters argued voters should periodically reaffirm taxes; the bill was reported favorably. C.S. for SJR 1510 and its implementing bill, SB 1512, were both amended to sharply narrow a proposed long-term lease property tax exemption to one qualifying property and to single-family homes, mobile homes, and condominiums; counties and cities opposed the measures as tax shifts, but both were reported favorably. The committee then took up SPB 7034, the Senate tax package, which includes permanent sales tax exemptions for certain clothing and bullion, multiple tax holidays, a temporary motor vehicle fee reduction, a property tax study, corporate and insurance tax credit changes, a communications services tax freeze, and other tax provisions, with staff estimating $2.1 billion in total revenue reduction. Testimony included support for studying property taxes and strong opposition to the firearm and ammunition tax holiday from students and advocacy groups, who argued it was unsafe and inappropriate; others urged adding combined reporting or removing tourist development tax changes. After debate, the committee reported the package favorably and also approved a motion to submit it as a committee bill. The meeting ended after Senator Bernard recorded an affirmative vote on tab 5 and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 4273, authorizing the town of Maynard to grant an additional license for the sale of all alcoholic
• House Bill 4273, authorizing the town of Maynard to grant an additional license for the sale of all alcoholic
• House Bill 4272, authorizing the town of Hudson to grant one additional license for the sale of wine
• not to be drunk on the premises, House No. 4273. ...Hudson to grant one additional license for the sale
• House No. 4272, and an act authorizing the town of Maynard to grant an additional license for the sale

Summary: The House first adopted a Rules Committee resolution congratulating the Sport Fish Restoration Program on its 75th anniversary. It then suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow a Senate petition for a sick leave bank for Carlos Borges, a Department of Corrections employee, to be referred to the Committee on Public Service. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee reported several local bills for consideration, including measures for Quincy, Arlington, Maynard, and Hudson. The House suspended Rule 7A, took the bills through second reading, and ordered them to a third reading. The bills included a Quincy lease extension, an Arlington town clerk appointment and management change, and additional alcohol license authorizations for Maynard and Hudson. The House also took up House No. 801, a bill relative to the town of Cheshire’s special election, and passed it to be engrossed. Finally, the House adopted an order to meet again Monday at 11:00 a.m., and then adjourned to that time in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• , so the case has to be brought where the sale occurred.
• For example, a lot of these sales occur in Massachusetts.
• , so the case has to be brought where the sale occurred.
• , so the case has to be brought where the sale occurred.
• </c> 26 so I guess my concern is if the sale 26 so I guess my concern is if the sale is<00:12:18.320>

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• And I see To the county collector tax sales in August.
• comparable sales and present comp sheets.
• And those comps have to be anywhere from three sales to five sales. And we do that in Boone County.
• She doesn't really reflect on the sales that take place.
• I think our last sales studies had 72 sales in it. Thank you. Any other questions?

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Summary: The committee met in executive session and first took up House Bill 2709, including a substitute that combined language from HB 2709 and HB 2671. Members debated an amendment that would have separated the Hancock-by-subclass portion from a personal property tax provision; supporters said it would make the bill cleaner and preserve a separate property tax issue already addressed elsewhere, while opponents argued it would create inconsistency. The amendment failed, the substitute was adopted, and the House Committee Substitute for HB 2709 and HB 2671 was voted do pass by a roll call of 14 yes and 5 no. The committee then passed HB 1759 do pass by a vote of 12 yes and 7 no, with one member noting that additional tweaks were expected on the floor. Next, the committee considered HB 2925, where Representative Fowler offered Amendment 04H to remove the requirement that property tax elections be held in November and replace it with an affirmative-consent standard requiring both a majority of votes cast and at least 25% of registered voters voting yes. Supporters said the change would avoid forcing local tax elections into a narrow election window and would require broader voter buy-in for long-term tax obligations; opponents argued it would be a major change that should receive more public review and could distort local election participation. The amendment failed 5 yes to 14 no, and HB 2925 was then voted do pass 11 yes to 8 no. In public testimony, Representative Van Schoiack presented HB 2415, which would require assessors to use a cost approach rather than a market approach for valuing buildings, while still valuing land through the market approach. He said the bill was intended to address over-assessment in larger counties and under-assessment in rural counties, and to make valuations more objective. Testimony was mixed: a public advocate supported the idea as a way to address rising taxes and tax sales, while county assessors and other witnesses said assessors already use multiple approaches, that cost approach works best for new or rural properties but can be subjective for older buildings, and that forcing one method statewide could create inaccuracies and large valuation swings. No action was taken on HB 2415 during the hearing. The committee also heard HJR 148 and HJR 111, presented by Representatives Coleman and Taylor, to bring Kansas City Public Schools under Hancock limits like other districts. Sponsors said KCPS is the only district still operating under a special court-imposed arrangement from desegregation-era orders and that the proposal would keep the district at its current levy while requiring voter approval for future increases. KCPS Superintendent Jennifer Collier opposed the measure as written, saying the district does want to come under Hancock but needs to do so on its own timeline and with a planned April 2027 levy proposal that would maintain the current rate; she said the district is now fiscally stronger and has community support, including passage of an 85% bond issue. Committee members questioned the legal basis, the effect on KCPS and charter schools, and whether the proposal would interfere with the district’s planned ballot strategy.

Transcript Highlights:

• These companies have grown so sales.
• Very different from the small retailers who tend to run sales.
• Very different from the small retailers who tend to run sales.
• Very different from the small retailers who tend to run sales.
• Um and to your $60 billion in sales.

Transcript Highlights:

• HOUSE BILL 7031 RELATING TO SALES TAX REDUCTIONS.
• THAT WERE PRIOR FOUND IN SALES TAX HOLIDAYS ROUND ON ROWS FOUR THROUGH 12 AND CREATING HUNTING FISHING
• CAMPING SALES TAX HOLIDAY FROM EARLY SEPTEMBER TO THE END OF THIS YEAR FOR CERTAIN HUNTING FISHING AND
• WE HAVE SUPPORTED THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN REDUCING THE TAX TO 0 PERCENT TO ELIMINATE STATE SALES TAX
• AND ADVOCATE FOR MAINTAINING THE ABILITY TO HAVE THE LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX STILL APPLY IT.

Transcript Highlights:

• And obviously I changed it from sales.
• Uh, this is about residential real estate being listed for sale.
• And what's real estate for sale.
• Um and and then we would say and sale.
• So, for sale, and then we would strike the remainder.

Summary: The committee took up an amended bill, sponsored by Rep. Lily Walsh, aimed at requiring certain foreign principals involved in New Hampshire real estate transactions to file an affidavit electronically with the Department of Justice. Walsh explained that she revised the proposal after the first hearing by limiting it to leases longer than 14 days, removing notarization, allowing electronic filing, shortening notification timelines, and clarifying that lessors or agents would not have to verify the affidavit’s truthfulness. She asked the committee to recommend the bill ought to pass with amendment and also noted a technical correction to use “real estate licensee” rather than “realtor.” The main opposition came from a real estate practitioner on the committee, who argued the bill was burdensome, could create discrimination concerns, and would place real estate professionals in an improper enforcement role. He also questioned the bill’s practical effect and pointed to existing federal CFIUS procedures as a better mechanism for handling foreign investment concerns. Several members echoed concerns about whether the state had authority to regulate in this area, whether the bill would actually stop bad actors, and whether it could be enforced without discriminatory impacts. Representatives from New Boston Space Force Station testified in support, saying the legislation was critical to national security because proximity to the installation could allow adversaries to observe operations or interfere with radio frequency communications. They argued federal processes were too slow or ineffective and that state action could better push hostile actors away from the base. Committee members questioned the technical basis for the 10-mile buffer, whether it would really help, and why federal agencies were not handling the issue. No vote was taken during the exchange shown in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• The third is a sales tax exemption for marine use. And the fourth is a sales and use tax exemption.
• The third is a sales tax exemption for marine use.
• And the fourth is a sales and use tax exemption by a law we are not—we are prohibited from evaluating
• This leads me to the final legislative auditor's recommendation: continue the sales tax exemption for
• If the seller of those wholesale sales... ...of commercial fertilizer, pesticides, and seed.

Bills: SB5754

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: public bank, state bank, finance, banking regulations, economic development, state investment

Transcript Highlights:

• That land on. >> From SUMMERFIELD sales agency. Yes recognized.
• Our director of sales. We'll get into more details on the sales company.
• We have 130 employees and 22 million dollars in annual sales.
• I'm the director sales for the Ocala breeders sales company located in Ocala.
• The 7, several local boards, including Ocala, breeders sales company was funds forever.

Transcript Highlights:

• approved by the Superintendent of Public Instruction. ...through limited property sales approved by
• The Superintendent may grant the authorization only if school districts demonstrate that the sale is
• necessary to restore financial stability, the sale is necessary to prevent adverse impacts to student
• In terms of impacts to districts, OSPI indicated that it is uncertain how many sales would be approved
• And you have to go to OSPI and have OSPI blessed the sale.

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee heard briefings and testimony on several bills. Substitute House Bill 2281 would require state agencies to avoid imposing an undue burden on Indian tribes’ traditional cultural practices at tribal traditional cultural places, and would create a Superior Court cause of action for tribes. The prime sponsor and tribal witnesses said the bill is needed to protect sacred sites and cultural resources, while an industry witness asked for narrower, more predictable language. Some testimony criticized the bill as too expansive and likely to increase litigation. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 2514, which would create a Global War on Terror memorial work group to plan and recommend details for a memorial on the Capitol campus; the sponsor emphasized honoring Washington service members and said private fundraising would be central to the project. House Bill 2551 would let school districts with very low ending fund balances seek OSPI approval to sell district real property and use the proceeds to restore financial stability, rather than depositing the money into capital or debt service funds. The sponsor and Tacoma School District testified that the bill is a safeguard for districts nearing binding conditions, while members raised concerns about possible impacts on local land use and whether the bill could be misused in urban or rural areas. Substitute House Bill 2668 would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to identify alternate locations for the Bob O’K Game Farm and request future capital funding to relocate and remediate the site because of nitrate contamination affecting the Centralia area aquifer. Local officials, public health staff, and tribal representatives supported relocation, citing public health risks and the potential cost of inaction, while the sponsor stressed that the bill is about moving, not closing, the game farm. In executive action, the committee took up House Bill 2470, as amended by a proposed substitute, which would increase state school construction assistance for schools on military bases by adding 15% to the calculated state match percentage. Members discussed the role of federal funding and the need for safe, equitable facilities for military-connected students. The committee approved the substitute bill and reported it out with a due pass recommendation by a vote of 15-1, with three excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also removes the prohibition on the knowing sale, possession, transportation, and distribution of
• It also removes the prohibition on the knowing sale, possession, transportation, and distribution of
• It broadens the prohibition on the sale possession, transportation, or distribution of products using
• It also removes the prohibition on the knowing sale, possession, transportation, and distribution of
• It also removes the prohibition on the knowing sale, possession, transportation, and distribution of

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee opened its first formal public hearing agenda of the session with House Bill 2238, which would direct the Department of Agriculture to coordinate statewide food security efforts and develop a food security strategy due to the Legislature by December 1, 2027. Staff explained the bill would add food security coordination and food system monitoring to the department’s duties and require collaboration with state agencies, nonprofits, experts, and tribes. Prime sponsor Rep. Christine Reeves described the bill as a way to codify and continue work the department had done under COVID emergency authority, while also addressing food insecurity, farm viability, food access, and supply chain resilience. She and several testifiers emphasized rising food costs, food deserts, and the need for a coordinated statewide approach. Testimony in support came from Second Harvest of Spokane, Northwest Harvest, Washington wheat, potato, onion, and cattle groups, the Washington State Farmers Market Association, Harvest Against Hunger, Pierce County Councilmember Brian Yambay, the Washington Food Industry Association, Food Lifeline, the Coalition of Accountable Communities of Health, and small producers, many of whom stressed the importance of coordination, affordability, data, and including people with lived experience and small farmers in the process. No one testified in opposition during the hearing, though the sign-in record showed 137 pro and 166 con positions overall. The committee then moved into executive session on several 2025 bills, including measures on gray wolf management (HB 1311), farmed octopus (HB 1608), force-feeding birds and foie gras (HB 1735), grizzly bear management (HB 1825), invasive species education for pet sales (HB 1976), and maple syrup processing operations (HB 262). Staff briefed each bill, and members discussed proposed amendments on HB 1735 and HB 1976, but the committee deferred action on all bills except HB 1608. During caucus, members indicated HB 1608 was the only bill to be voted on that day. On HB 1608, which would ban knowingly possessing, transporting, or distributing farmed octopus and authorize a civil penalty, members debated animal welfare and the bill’s policy merits. Rep. Birnbaum supported the measure as a humane step, while Rep. Dent said he had concerns and was not ready to support it. The committee then voted 6-5 to report HB 1608 out of committee with a do pass recommendation. The meeting adjourned after that vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill removes the $500 limit for the sales tax exemption on the sale of gold silver, platinum bullion
• The effect of the bill is that all sales of such metals will be exempt from sales tax.
• Only 5 states in the country have a sale, Saxon, gold and silver.
• Florida is the most aggressive of the of the sales taxes.
• I thought I heard you say if you paid $500, you pay sales tax. $501. You pay no sales tax you.

Transcript Highlights:

• ADDITIONALLY THE BILL DOES NOT PERMIT THE SALE OF THESE PRODUCTS JUST OUT IN THE OPEN SHELVES OF STORES
• >> THE BILL SUGGESTS WE WOULD HAVE A 5 MG PER SERVING AND 50 MG PER PACKET LIMITS ON HEMP SALES.
• Burton: IF SOMEBODY SELLS HEMP THAT THE THC LEVEL IS MARIJUANA, THEY STOP SALE, THEY HAVE TO TAKE IT
• ADVERTISING, THE LOCATION OF SALES. THE AGE OF PURCHASE. THE TESTING TO GET OUT THE IMPURITIES.
• AND AN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE WILD WILD WEST OF HEMP SALES.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Administration is requesting approval from the committee of the proposed sale of the
• Under current law, the department cannot sell state-owned property unless the sale is approved by the
• Additionally, on May 13, 2026, the State Building Commission approved the sale of the property.
• The department indicates it would intend to close the sale within 30 days of committee approval.
• Additionally, the State Building Commission approved the sale on May 13, 2026.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• MOST OF THIS COMES FROM SALES TAX.
• IS PURCHASING GOODS AND SERVICES AS WELL AS CORPORATE INCOME TAX IS FROM CORPORATE INCOME AND THEN SALE
• ALMOST WITH SALES AND USE TAX. 36 BILLION. AND A DISTANT SECOND WAS CORPORATE INCOME TAX.
• IN TERMS OF QUEST TAX QUALITY OPTIONS SALES TAX IS WHERE WE HAVE THE MOST FLEXIBILITY IF YOU WANT TO
• SALES TAX IS A 6 PERCENT LUVVIE UNLESS YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT COMMERCIAL LEASES OR BUSINESS WHICH IS A