SB6228 — Senate Bill 6228 was moved out of committee with a due pass recommendation, and the discussion briefly noted that the bill includes an initial B&O tax reduction intended to support pharmacies that are the only ones in their community, along with an amendment to adjust that provision.
SB6228 — The committee first moved to incorporate the adopted amendment into a striking amendment and report Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6228 out of committee with a due pass recommendation. In the ensuing discussion, a member acknowledged the amendment lowering taxes for critical access pharmacies but remained concerned the bill would still amount to an overall tax increase that could be passed on to pharmacies or consumers.
SB6228 — The committee moved to report Engrossed Senate Bill 6228 out with a due pass as amended recommendation, and after the roll call vote the motion carried, officially reporting the bill out of committee with that recommendation.
Ed Orcutt — Representative Orcutt opposed the bill throughout the discussion, warning that removing the incentive could drive companies and investment away from Washington, make the state less competitive, and interfere with existing private contracts. He concluded by recommending a no vote and then voted nay/do not pass.
Cyndy Jacobsen — Votes nay, do not pass.
Cyndy Jacobsen — Responded that she appreciated the sponsor's efforts and was considering a soft yes.
Cyndy Jacobsen — Said she was a soft yes, while expressing concern about jobs and rural economic growth.
Cyndy Jacobsen — Explained her soft yes while raising concerns about retroactivity and clawback provisions.
Cyndy Jacobsen — Voted aye.
Travis Couture — Votes nay, do not pass.
Lisa Wellman — Votes nay, do not pass.
SB6343 — Appears in a garbled motion; likely a transcription error in the motion sequence.
SB6231 — Motion made to report the bill out of committee with a due-pass recommendation.
Mike Chapman — Argued that tax exemptions helped attract investment, increase occupancy, and bring union jobs and local economic benefits.
Mike Chapman — Continued arguing that Washington benefits from data center investment and clean power.
Mike Chapman — Continued opposition to removing the refurbishment tax exemption, arguing it is needed for recurring data center upgrades.
Mike Chapman — Continued opposition to the bill, emphasizing union labor and local economic benefits.
Mike Chapman — Recorded as voting aye.
Mike Chapman — Voted no/do not pass.
Peter Abbarno — Recorded as voting aye; likely a transcription error for a member present on the committee, but no exact match is clear from context.
Alex Ramel — Representative Street and Representative Ramel were both recorded as voting aye during the same roll-call voting sequence.
Debra Entenman — Announced as excused.
Joshua Penner — Voted no/do not pass.
Sharon Santos — Voted aye.
Sharon Shewmake — Voted aye.
Larry Springer — Voted no/do not pass.
Sharon Wylie — Voted nay/do not pass.
Liz Lovelett — Voted aye.
SB6343 — Reported out of committee with a due-pass recommendation after the roll call vote.
Chipalo Street — Associated with the striker amendment reducing the cigarette tax rate and preserving other tobacco and vapor product tax structures.
Chipalo Street — Votes aye on the bill.
Christina King — Staff to the committee, providing the briefing on ESB 6228.
SB6231 — Senate Bill 6231 was briefly described as removing a tax exemption for replacement equipment for data centers, and the briefing concluded with the note that there were no amendments.
Sharlett Mena — Announces removal of in gross substitute Senate Bill 6129 from the executive session.
Sharlett Mena — Votes aye.
Sharlett Mena — Introduces the next motion after the vote on Senate Bill 6228.
SB6129 — Senate Bill 6129 was introduced as a gross substitute relating to the taxation of cigarettes and other nicotine products. The striker would reduce the new cigarette tax rate to 1.25 cents per cigarette effective January 1, 2027, while preserving the existing tax structure for other tobacco products and vapor products rather than converting them into a nicotine products tax. It would also waive penalties and interest for certain retailers affected by the vapor products and OTP tax changes and allow a stay of collections for those taxpayers. The bill was later removed from executive session.
Chipalo Street — Identified as offering the striker amendment.