Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 624 extends the hazardous substance tax exemption for agricultural crop protection products
• What happens is that we house the pesticide for any kind of crop protection that we need, so farmers
• are able to receive the pesticide or the crop protection much, much quicker versus having to receive
• So what happens is that we house the pesticide for any kind of crop protection that we need.
• Farmers are able to receive the pesticide or the crop protection much, much quicker versus having to

Bills: SB6114, SB6244

Keywords: excise tax, definitions, tax law, taxation, fixtures, affixed, tax exemption, agriculture, hazardous substances, crop protection, warehousing, 904, all

Summary: The committee heard several tax and housing-related bills. Senator Orwell and Senator Kaufman presented a property tax exemption for physical improvements to a single-family dwelling damaged by a natural disaster, describing flood impacts in South King County and King County and arguing the measure would help homeowners rebuild without losing value-based tax relief. The hearing then moved to SB 6347, which would roll back the 2025 estate tax rate increases beginning July 1, 2026 while leaving the higher exemption in place. Staff outlined a projected revenue reduction for education funding, and testimony split sharply: opponents said the bill would benefit very wealthy estates and worsen the budget outlook, while supporters argued it would protect family businesses from liquidity problems when an owner dies. No vote was taken on either bill in the transcript. The committee also heard SB 6244, extending the hazardous substance tax exemption for agricultural crop protection products until 2038. Senator Torres said the bill follows a JLARC recommendation and would help Washington serve as a faster, more competitive warehousing location for pesticides used by farmers. A logistics representative testified in support, saying the exemption would make regional distribution economically feasible, improve product availability, and support jobs and facilities in Washington. No action was taken in the hearing. For SB 6114, staff and the Department of Revenue explained that the bill would define “fixture” and “affixed” for real estate excise tax purposes, replacing reliance on common-law tests with statutory criteria intended to reduce confusion in property sales. DOR said the bill would not change outcomes in most cases but would make determinations easier and more consistent; members asked about retroactivity and examples involving hoses, irrigation, and equipment. Finally, SB 6027 drew broad support from county, housing, and state officials. The bill would expand allowable uses of existing affordable housing funds to include rehabilitation, operations and maintenance, and some rental assistance, and would broaden eligible uses for certain grant funds and emergency housing definitions. Testifiers said the changes would help preserve permanent supportive housing and respond to federal funding instability. The committee closed the hearing and adjourned without recorded votes in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 6244 extends the hazardous substance tax exemption for agricultural crop protection products
• So we do have some areas where some crop important...
• Where some crop important materials are stored in our state, but then they get shipped out to Oregon

Bills: SB5994, SB6244

Keywords: timber tax, school funding, levy failure, tax distribution, education funding, tax exemption, agriculture, hazardous substances, crop protection, warehousing, 904, all

Summary: House Finance met in executive session on March 2 and considered several tax and property-tax bills. Members heard staff summaries and then took action on ESSB 5252 (removing the acreage limit for nonprofit public assembly hall property tax exemptions), SB 5994 (continuing timber tax distributions to certain school districts), ESSB 6027 (expanding allowable uses of local sales and use tax revenue for housing and related services), ESSB 6113 (a broad tax administration bill with a striking amendment and several proposed changes), ESSB 6162 (consolidating the state property tax levy and expanding senior/disabled property tax relief), SB 6343 (extending flood-related property tax relief), SB 6347 (rolling back 2025 state tax rate increases), SB 6097 (adding federally recognized tribes to the Conservation Futures Program), and SB 6244 (extending a hazardous substance tax exemption for agricultural crop protection products).

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:52.720><c> farmer,</c> dad is a first generation crop farmer, dad is a first generation crop
• The delay in and crop destruction.
• </c><00:52:11.040><c> family</c> common sense step that protects family common sense step that protects
• ,</c> on for planting on time, managing crops, on for planting on time, managing crops, safety,<01:03
• damaging crops or equipment.

Bills: HF3580, HF3566

Keywords: agriculture, livestock, depredation, crop damage, wolf compensation, elk damage, state funding, agricultural protection, trespass, criminal penalties, farm equipment, agricultural land, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , floriculture crops, and nursery crops.
• grant</c><01:10:02.560><c> fruit</c> uh crop plant crop block grant fruit uh crop plant crop block grant
• That's still crops, and nursery crops.
• You can start small or even add grazing on crop land with cover crops.
• You can start small or even add grazing on crop land with cover crops.

Bills: HF3579, HF3549, HF3548, HF4388, HF3566

Keywords: eggs, donation, quality assurance, food assistance, charitable programs, agriculture, grain indemnity, financial security, crop insurance, Minnesota agriculture, farm assistance, down payment, state funding, loan modification, rotational grazing, grazing management, livestock, pasture management, soil health, erosion control

Bills: SB2601

Keywords: landowner compensation, border crime, agriculture damage, law enforcement, crop loss

Summary: The Senate Committee on Border Security met with a quorum and heard only one bill, Senate Bill 2601 by Senator Blanco, laid out by Senator Hinojosa of Hidalgo. The bill was presented as a committee substitute to revise the Landowner’s Compensation Program created last session under SB 1133. The changes would expand eligibility to include land lessees with the landowner’s permission, cover damage to the land itself as well as structures and real property, add continuous smuggling of persons as a qualifying border crime, prohibit insurers from using claims under the program in rate calculations, and require law enforcement to provide requested border crime reports to the Attorney General within 14 days. Public testimony was unanimously supportive. Charles Maley of the South Texans Property Rights Association said the program has been beneficial and that the bill helps clean up implementation issues, including clarifying compensation for debris and pollutants left on land. Stephen Diebel of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association also supported the bill, saying it would help address fence damage, destroyed infrastructure, and other harms along the border, and that lessees who manage properties day to day should be eligible for direct compensation when they have the landowner’s permission. Members discussed border-related property damage, including vehicles crashing through fences, broken sheds, livestock escaping, and resulting highway hazards. Senator Hinojosa asked about how conflicts between landowners and lessees would be handled, and testimony indicated documentation of lease authority would be required. After public testimony closed, the committee adopted the committee substitute without objection and voted to report SB 2601 favorably to the full Senate by a 5-0 vote, recommending it as local and uncontested.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's unfortunate, but our livestock and crop producers up there are already waiting for dollars right
• Representative Burkel: The fence claims and the crop damage that a herd of elk can do in a short time
• Representative, this would just catch up to the growers, producers, crop producers that have not been
• </c> but our our uh our livestock and uh crop but our our uh our livestock and uh crop producers<00:12
• </c> fence claims and and the uh the crop fence claims and and the uh the crop damage<00:14:56.959><c

Bills: HF601

Keywords: agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, 1183, house

Bills: HF601

Keywords: agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, 1183, house

Bills: SB2601

Keywords: landowner compensation, border crime, agriculture damage, law enforcement, crop loss, 1185, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Border Security met with a quorum and heard one bill, Senate Bill 2601 by Senator Blanco, laid out by Senator Hinojosa of Hidalgo. The bill amends the Landowner’s Compensation Program, which was created last session and is administered by the Office of the Attorney General, to expand eligibility to land lessees, cover damage to the land itself as well as structures and real property, add continuous smuggling of persons as a covered border crime, prohibit insurers from using claims under the program in rate calculations, and require law enforcement to provide border crime reports to the Attorney General within 14 days. The committee substitute also makes the bill a legislative council draft. Public testimony was unanimously supportive. Representatives of the South Texans Property Rights Association and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association said the program has helped landowners but needed cleanup and broader access, especially for lessees who manage property day to day and may otherwise not receive compensation. Testimony also emphasized ongoing problems with fence damage, debris, pollutants, and other border-related property damage. Members asked about implementation, including how conflicts between landowners and lessees would be handled; the response was that documentation of authority and lease responsibilities would be required. After public testimony closed, the committee adopted the committee substitute without objection. Senator Hinojosa then moved that SB 2601 be reported favorably to the full Senate with the committee substitute, and the motion passed on a 5-0 vote. The bill was also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar, with no objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Crop insurance not only secures loans and protects the farmers when they suffer a loss, it also spills
• Bankers are supportive of modernizing reference prices and protecting and enhancing crop, livestock,
• crops farms like me.
• In your specialty crop world, crop insurance insurance is working on those crops, working well?
• No sir, so especially the crops that I grow, they don't offer crop insurance for such as hemp.

Keywords: farm bill, rural economy, crop insurance, access to credit, young farmers, USDA funding freeze, agricultural policy, risk management

Summary: The meeting of the agricultural committee focused on significant concerns regarding the current state of America's rural economy, highlighting the need for a strong five-year farm bill to address the challenges faced by farmers, particularly young and beginning farmers. Key testimony was given by multiple stakeholders including agricultural leaders and young farmers, emphasizing issues related to crop insurance, access to credit, and the adverse impact of recent USDA funding freezes. Various members discussed the necessity of risk management tools that farmers rely on to secure financing, which is crucial for sustaining agricultural operations and supporting rural communities. The importance of timely legislative action was underscored, as many farmers reported struggles in the current economic climate, raising urgency for reforms within the Farm Bill framework.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have to do some obligatory things like talk about what this budget does, which protects the people
• This is a tool for justice and protecting vulnerable communities against cyberattacks or attacks from
• This bill is regarding a tax exemption for agricultural crop protection products.
• A tax exemption for agricultural crop protection products.
• It's homes repaired and protected from floods, from rising sea level, even nitrates in the soil getting

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Transcript Highlights:

• played on a courthouse, on a state park, on a waterway, on a bridge, whether it's feeding the orca, protecting

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Transcript Highlights:

• There has been concern around this topic, largely because this crop is still listed as federally illegal
• And we also have some farmers who are concerned about not wanting to see this crop on par with other
• agricultural crops.
• Fix your day-to-day expenses and protect your capital assets.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Transcript Highlights:

• Please vote yes to protect. ...trouble. Please vote yes to protect all school districts.
• So, Speaker Timmons, we already have a protection in place.
• However, I would still say that the bill really should be just worker protection.
• The title of the bill is immigrant worker protection, but it actually protects all workers, because all
• I think protecting the jobs that those dealerships provide is important.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Summary: The House first took up Substitute Senate Bill 6225, a transportation bond measure. Supporters said it was needed to fund preservation and maintenance of Washington’s transportation system, including road upkeep and emergency repairs, while opponents argued the state had already addressed current needs through a recent unanimous budget and existing bond authority. The bill passed final passage 59-38, meeting the required three-fifths vote. The House then considered Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6260, an education budget-related bill with many floor amendments focused on transition to kindergarten, alternative learning experience (ALE) funding, local effort assistance (LEA), educational service district reserves, superintendent pay, MSOC funding, and collective bargaining limits. Most proposed amendments were rejected, though Amendment 2654 on TK priorities was adopted. After the committee amendment as amended was adopted, the bill advanced to third reading and then passed 50-47. Supporters described it as a necessary budget reduction and risk-management measure; opponents argued it cut K-12 funding too deeply, especially in rural and property-poor districts, and would worsen inequities and invite litigation. The House also concurred in Senate amendments and passed several other bills. House Bill 1796, about school construction financing and capital levy use, passed 95-2. Second Substitute House Bill 2105, dealing with immigrant worker protections, passed 58-38. Engrossed House Bill 2211, on food sourcing for a health-related program, passed unanimously. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2225, regulating companion chatbots and child safety, passed 74-21. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2247, related to animal care, passed unanimously. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2418, streamlining permitting timelines to support housing affordability, also passed unanimously. The House then moved on to additional Senate-concurred bills, beginning with Second Substitute House Bill 1906.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is what the Voting Rights Act is there to protect. Of voter dilution.
• There are protections.
• Let's protect the homeowners and the small businesses on their property.
• There are protections. system on its head.
• Let's protect the homeowners and the small businesses on their let's protect the homeowners and the small

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Summary: The House began by signing several bills and receiving messages from the Senate that multiple House bills had passed there or that Senate bills had been signed. It then took up third reading and concurrence on a series of bills, often with sponsors explaining that Senate amendments were technical, clarifying, or improved the bills, while opponents argued some amendments broadened exemptions, weakened election protections, or created tax increases and other unintended consequences. Among the most debated measures were bills related to election administration and voting rights, utility and energy programs, local government finance, tourism promotion, and public safety. House Bill 2215 failed to concur in Senate amendments after concerns that an exemption was too broad. House Bill 1710, dealing with voting rights/election procedures, passed 57-39 after a roll call vote despite objections that it could complicate elections and reduce local control. House Bill 1750 and House Bill 1916 also passed after roll calls, with supporters describing them as technical or protective of election integrity and opponents warning about voter dilution, local authority, and access issues. Other bills passed with varying levels of support: House Bill 1903 on utility assistance passed 70-26 after supporters said it would help small counties and make the program voluntary and state-funded; House Bill 2532 on nitrous oxide sales passed unanimously as a public health and youth safety measure; House Bill 1974 on housing/conservation-related policy passed 59-37 amid debate over nonprofit advantages and county revenue impacts; House Bill 2296 passed 95-1 after supporters said it would help renters and utilities with energy efficiency; House Bill 2325 passed 91-5 with added transparency for tourism oversight; House Bill 2442 passed 51-45 despite sharp disagreement over property tax and levy implications; and House Bill 2594 passed 95-1 as the state version of McKinney-Vento protections for unhoused students. The House also transmitted or received several bills and ended the session briefly at ease.

Transcript Highlights:

• the state's toolkit additional means to ensure that consumers, workers, and small businesses are protected
• Speaker, we have a duty to make sure that the Article I constitutional protections to people and small
• business owners in this state... ...protections to people and small business owners in this state to
• Speaker, to protect their privacy, are staunchly defended. We need to be the check, Mr. Speaker.
• You don't protect constitutional right A by restricting constitutional right B.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, offered the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer, approved the prior day’s minutes, and then recessed briefly for caucus. The chamber received several Senate messages, including concurrence on amendments and the signing of Engrossed Senate Bill 5068, before moving into third reading and final passage of multiple bills. Most of the floor debate centered on concurrence with Senate amendments and the policy effects of those changes. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1170 passed 55-38 and was described as reorganizing and clarifying how Climate Commitment Act auction revenues are distributed among state accounts; supporters said it would create a clearer budget process, while opponents objected to shifting funds away from transportation and capital uses and reducing tax relief. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2251 passed 54-40 after debate over Climate Commitment Act account structure and operating-account allocations. Engrossed House Bill 2445 passed 66-29 on probate-related changes, with supporters citing clarifications and opponents saying it did not go far enough to limit outside involvement in probate matters. The House also passed Substitute House Bill 2334 80-15, with little debate after Senate “perfecting” changes. Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1960 passed 86-9; supporters said it would replace an inconsistent property tax on wind, solar, and battery storage facilities with a stable excise tax to benefit rural communities, counties, and labor, while opponents focused on tax impacts and local burdens. Additional bills passed included Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1500 on HOA resale certificates (61-34), Second Substitute House Bill 1909 creating a Court Unification Task Force (57-38), Engrossed House Bill 2156 expanding Attorney General investigative authority over economic and financial crimes (54-41 on reconsideration), Substitute House Bill 2539 on inmate funds and related deductions (57-38), Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2548 on health care facility mergers and market oversight (55-41), Engrossed House Bill 2588 on local control for the Lummi ferry system (56-40), and Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2320 on gun violence prevention and 3D-printed firearms (58-38). The House also agreed not to concur in Senate amendments to Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1408 and retransmitted it to the Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• the state's toolkit additional means to ensure that consumers, workers, and small businesses are protected
• Speaker, we have a duty to make sure that the Article I constitutional protections to people and small
• business owners in this state... ...protections to people and small business owners in this state to
• Speaker, to protect their privacy, are staunchly defended. We need to be the check, Mr. Speaker.
• You don't protect constitutional right A by restricting constitutional right B.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, approved the previous day’s minutes, heard Senate messages on several bills, and then took up a series of third-reading and concurrence votes. The chamber also received notice that the Senate had concurred in House amendments to several other bills and that the Senate President had signed Engrossed Senate Bill 5068. Members then considered a slate of bills dealing with climate commitment account revenue, court administration, attorney general investigative authority, inmate funds, health care facility transactions, ferry governance, gun violence prevention and 3D-printed firearms, and renewable energy tax treatment. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1170, Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2251, Engrossed House Bill 2445, Substitute House Bill 2334, Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1960, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1500, Second Substitute House Bill 1909, Engrossed House Bill 2156, Substitute House Bill 2539, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2548, Engrossed House Bill 2588, and Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2320 all received final passage after Senate amendments, with several members speaking in support or opposition. Supporters generally described the measures as clarifying revenue accounts, improving court access, protecting consumers, updating inmate account limits, addressing hospital consolidation, enabling local ferry management, and strengthening gun-violence prevention or renewable-energy tax policy. Opponents raised concerns about reduced transparency, expanded bureaucracy, shifting costs, attorney general overreach, limits on local control, and First Amendment or property-rights issues. Recorded votes showed passage on each of those bills, with margins ranging from narrow to broad: 55-38 on HB 1170, 54-40 on HB 2251, 66-29 on HB 2445, 80-15 on SHB 2334, 86-9 on ESHB 1960, 61-34 on ESHB 1500, 57-38 on SSB 1909, 54-41 on EHB 2156 after reconsideration, 57-38 on SHB 2539, 55-41 on ESHB 2548, 56-40 on EHB 2588, and 58-38 on ESHB 2320. The House also agreed to retransmit Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1408 to the Senate after deciding not to concur in the Senate’s fourth amendment. The meeting ended with both caucuses called and the House at ease.

Transcript Highlights:

• It protects working Washingtonians. It protects our constitutional obligations.
• Today I fought to protect Washington State citizens from a progressive income tax.
• Today I fought to protect Washington State citizens from a progressive income tax.
• It fails to preserve and protect our consequences. It fails our people.
• It fails to preserve and protect our constitution.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Summary: The House took up a series of amendments to a striking amendment creating a new tax on millionaires. Amendment 2551, offered by Representative Ybarra, would have delayed the act until the Seattle SuperSonics returned; supporters framed it as a way to help bring the team back, while opponents argued the legislature should not tie tax policy to an NBA franchise. The amendment failed on an oral roll call, 37 yeas to 56 nays. Amendment 2553, concerning legislative privilege disclosure, was ruled out of scope by the Speaker and not considered further. Amendment 2563, offered by Representative Dye, required a study of the administrative cost of the new income tax; supporters said the state needed to know the real cost of administering the tax, and the amendment passed overwhelmingly, 93 ayes and 0 nays. Amendment 2567 directed the Department of Revenue to report annually on taxpayer migration for those earning $500,000 or more; supporters argued it would provide data on whether high earners leave the state, while opponents called it burdensome and difficult to measure. That amendment failed, 37 yeas to 57 nays. Amendment 2577 would have capped Department of Revenue staffing at 100 FTEs instead of the larger staffing level in the fiscal note. Supporters argued the tax would affect relatively few people and that the agency should not be allowed to grow into a large bureaucracy before the policy’s legality and effects were known; opponents said the cap was arbitrary and could hamstring implementation. The amendment failed, 38 yeas to 57 nays. Amendment 2594, offered by Representative Walen, would have made the tax contingent on a constitutional amendment and voter approval, with supporters arguing the policy needed constitutional authorization and a direct vote of the people; opponents said the legislature still had a duty to act and that the courts would ultimately decide constitutionality. Debate on that amendment continued with additional members emphasizing constitutional concerns and the need for voter approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• Protecting, putting a statutory protection like this amendment tries to do on a constitutional privilege
• , that there will be no— ...codify what is already constitutionally protected, that there will be no
• And on our first day, when we were sworn in, we took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution,
• and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed and are established to protect
• Without those constitutional protections, the promises in the underlying bill and the statute, one, circumvent

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Summary: The House spent a long floor session debating a striking amendment to a proposed statewide income tax and a series of related amendments. Members repeatedly argued over whether the new tax should be paired with reporting requirements, data-sharing limits, sales tax relief, exemptions for diapers and other essentials, health care provider protections, a tax amnesty program, and a restoration of the bullion tax preference. Supporters of various amendments emphasized privacy, affordability, transparency, and concerns about regressivity and business flight; opponents often argued the proposals were unadministrable, premature, too costly, or unnecessary because similar provisions already existed in the bill. Several amendments were rejected on roll call votes, including proposals to require annual impact reporting (Amendment 2579), to broaden diaper and essential-child-care exemptions and accelerate their start date (Amendment 2556), to restore the bullion tax preference (Amendment 2580), and to add a tax amnesty program (Amendment 2582). Amendment 2561, which would have restricted data sharing with the IRS, also failed. Amendment 2572, extending a health care provider tax exemption beyond hospitals to additional provider groups, passed overwhelmingly. The House also withdrew amendments 2605 and 2606 by consent. The most notable adopted amendment was Amendment 2598, which redirected half of the new revenue toward broad-based sales tax relief by lowering the state sales tax rate, though it had been debated as a way to offset regressivity and provide immediate relief to taxpayers. Earlier in the session, the House also rejected a motion to reconsider a failed Working Connections Child Care amendment, with the motion failing on a recorded vote. Overall, the transcript shows a prolonged partisan debate over the structure and consequences of the proposed income tax, with most relief-oriented amendments failing except for the health care provider exemption and the broad sales tax reduction.

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment simply provides common sense protections.
• money leaving it idle than trying to plant a crop.
• We need to protect our small housing providers with this amendment.
• This amendment seeks to protect Washington citizens and taxpayers.
• And that area, about two-thirds of it, is permanently protected.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Summary: The House received Senate messages announcing passage of House Bill 2521, Senate concurrence in House amendments to Engrossed Senate Bill 5068, and the Governor’s signing of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5124 and House Bill 1983. Committee reports were received and referred without objection. The House then took up Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6346, a major tax measure described as relating to investing in Washington families and businesses to fund K-12 education. A motion to postpone ESSB 6346 indefinitely failed on a 38-58 vote. Members supporting postponement argued the bill was a rushed, late-session, 100-plus-page income tax proposal with major constitutional concerns, limited time for review, and potential harm to the economy, workers, retirees, and businesses. Opponents said Washington had long relied on a regressive tax structure and that reform should not be delayed. The House then rejected a Finance Committee amendment and several other amendments were withdrawn. The chamber considered and rejected Amendment 2578, which would have added constitutional and case-law language to the intent section emphasizing that income is property and citing Culleton v. Chase; supporters said it would reinforce constitutional limits, while opponents said intent sections should state policy goals rather than legal arguments. Amendment 2568, adding findings about tax volatility and the stability of Washington’s current tax system, also failed on a 40-56 vote. Amendment 2600, adding language about helping low- and middle-income families, was adopted 59-37 after supporters said the bill should explicitly reflect relief for working families and critics said the language was aspirational and not backed by concrete relief. The House then rejected Amendment 2549, which would have removed sales tax on prepared food, on a 44-52 vote after extensive debate about affordability, restaurant costs, and the fiscal impact. Finally, the House debated Amendment 2591, which would have rolled back the sales tax on services enacted the prior year; supporters cited impacts on schools, nonprofits, hospitals, and small businesses, while opponents warned of major budget losses and service cuts. The transcript ends during that amendment’s debate, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that it protects workers so that they can move about and pursue other career paths.
• By eliminating it, we are literally eliminating protections for the community.
• myth that once in the Community Protection Program you never get out of it.
• The problem is that the Community Protection Program is, yes, protection for the community, protection
• The bill helps protect tribal sacred sites from destruction and development.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, recognized the Muckleshoot Veterans Color Guard and a prayer by Dennis Anderson Sr., and approved the prior day’s minutes. The chamber also welcomed representatives from the Urban Native Education Alliance in connection with House Resolution 4706, then took up a Senate message and moved into third reading of a large slate of bills. Members caucused briefly before floor action resumed. The House concurred in Senate amendments and passed several bills, including HB 1069 on bargaining over supplemental retirement benefits for corrections employees, SHB 1128 creating a child care workforce standards board, ESHB 1155 banning non-compete agreements, ESHB 1187 delaying collection of ambulance debt until after billing notice, SHB 1390 phasing out the Community Protection Program, EHB 1501 on HOA-related issues, HB 291 on bargaining communication, ESHB 2110 on ambulance staffing/training, ESHB 2165 on impersonating peace officers, ESHB 2219 on child care provider regulations and opioid-related safety language, ESHB 2266 on supportive housing siting, SHB 2350 on developmental disabilities compliance notifications, SHB 2360 allowing schools to stock and administer albuterol, SSB 2384 on financial transparency in continuing care retirement communities, SSB 2429 on behavioral health planning and appropriations, and SHB 2496 on protecting tribal sacred sites. Most passed by substantial margins, though several drew notable opposition over worker costs, local control, public safety, or changes made by the Senate. Debate centered on child care workforce standards and wages, non-compete agreements, ambulance billing protections, disability services and the Community Protection Program, local zoning authority for supportive housing, school access to albuterol, and tribal sacred sites. Supporters generally framed the bills as improving worker protections, transparency, safety, or access to services, while opponents warned about higher costs, reduced local control, weaker language, or unintended safety risks. Final votes were recorded on each bill, with some near-unanimous and others split; for example, HB 1069 passed 78-17, SHB 1128 passed 68-27, ESHB 1155 passed 62-33, SHB 1390 passed 51-44, and ESHB 2266 passed 56-39. At the end of the session, the House declined to concur in Senate amendments to HB 2510 and instead requested the Senate recede. The chamber also received Senate nonconcurrence on ESSB 5998 and ESSB 605, granted conference on both, and appointed conferees. The House then announced caucus times and stood at ease.