Washington Legislature adjourns after passing tax hikes, rent cap
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Washington state lawmakers adjourned Sunday after approving a range of new policies, including a cap on annual rent hikes, a gas tax increase and a requirement that people get permits to buy guns.
Why it matters: While lawmakers' biggest feat may have been passing a new two-year budget amid a multibillion-dollar shortfall, other measures they adopted address public safety, housing, the environment, and more.
Here's a sampling of what the Legislature approved over its 105-day session.
Rent cap legislation
A measure to limit how much landlords can raise rent passed Sunday, after the state House and Senate previously approved different versions of the bill.
- Under the amended rent cap legislation, landlords will be blocked from raising rent on many existing tenants by more than 10% a year, or 7% plus inflation, whichever is lower.
The fine print: The rent cap wouldn't apply to tenants in buildings that opened within the past 12 years.
- Plus, landlords could set rent at whatever price they want after a tenant moves out.
The intrigue: A Senate amendment that would have exempted many single family homes from the rent cap was scrapped.
Tax changes
To underwrite an operating budget that will spend nearly $78 billion over two years, the Legislature approved increases in the state's capital gains tax and estate tax, as well as higher taxes on some businesses.
- Lawmakers also voted to expand the state sales tax to apply to more services, including more types of information technology work.
- Together, those and other revenue changes are expected to bring in an extra $4.4 billion through mid-2027.
Catch up quick: Lawmakers abandoned earlier proposals to enact a wealth tax and lift the cap on how much property tax revenue can grow per year.
Gas tax hike
Separately, lawmakers approved a 6-cent per gallon increase in Washington's gas tax to help pay for transportation projects.
- The state gas tax — now set to rise to 55.4 cents per gallon in July — will subsequently increase by another 2% yearly.
Gun permits
A measure sent to Gov. Bob Ferguson would require most prospective gun buyers to go through a certified firearms training course, which must include firing live rounds.
- They'd then have to apply for a permit and pay a fee before they could buy a firearm.
- Police, armed security officers and active-duty military are among those who could bypass the training requirement.
Detention facility oversight
A measure to increase state oversight of private detention facilities — to include the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma — awaits Ferguson's signature.
National Guard limits
A measure signed by Ferguson this month blocks other states' National Guard troops from entering Washington without his gubernatorial approval.
- Caveat: The law doesn't apply if President Trump federalizes the National Guard and those out-of-state troops are acting under federal orders.
Recycling redo
An overhaul of the state's recycling system aims to standardize what's recyclable from county to county while making producers of single-use packaging help pay for a system to recycle their products.
- The bill awaits action by the governor.
Unemployment for striking workers
Lawmakers agreed to make workers who go on strike eligible for up to six weeks of unemployment benefits.
World Cup beer bill
A bill sent to Ferguson's desk would allow fans to carry drinks outside defined beer gardens during World Cup fan events next year.