WR is closely monitoring the bills that have advanced through the legislative process. Each week, we’ll spotlight our weekly “hot list” key legislation that could have the most significant impact on WR members.
Concerning property tax reform (SB 5798/HB 2049)
The House and Senate propose changes to the state and local property tax growth limits. The current 1% annual cap would be replaced with a formula based on inflation plus population growth.
- The Senate proposal removes the cap entirely.
- The House version increases the cap to 3%.
The estimated revenue from this change is approximately $779 million in the first budget cycle, with increased revenues projected in future years. Local governments, including cities and counties, have strongly advocated for lifting the cap to address funding needs. However, the public response has been overwhelmingly negative. More than 45,000 individuals signed in for a recent Senate Ways and Means hearing, with 43,000 expressing opposition. Concerns were especially strong among senior citizens, many of whom testified about the risk of losing their homes if property taxes were to rise 4% annually over several years. For the retail industry, increased property taxes would represent a substantial cost burden, particularly for businesses with large physical footprints.
Position: WR strongly opposes this bill.
Status: SB 5798 In Senate Ways & Means waiting for a vote / HB 2049 In House Committee on Finance waiting for a vote.
B&O Surcharge on Large Corporations and Financial Institutions – B&O Tax (HB 2045)
WR opposes HB 2045 unless retailing and wholesale are exempt. These sectors are at the same rate as manufacturing, which is already exempt from the bill. Retailing and wholesaling B&O tax rates have historically been kept low to support these industries, which operate on narrow profit margins but are vital for providing consumers with access to goods. With each new cost, the pressure to cut staff, reduce hours, automate, or close stores grows.
- WR opposes any tax increase to the B&O retailing rates of .00471 and the wholesaling rate of .00484.
- We support an exemption of retailing and wholesaling from HB 2045.
Position: WR opposes this bill.
Status: April 4, 2025: In House Committee on Finance waiting for a vote.
Concerning environmental crimes (SB 5360)
This bill raises serious concerns as it would allow lawsuits, both civil and criminal, to be filed against businesses and individuals for minor infractions—such as excessive smoke from a backyard barbecue or spilling paint. The broad language of this bill could lead to legal action across numerous industries, including automotive, boating, and home improvement. WR has strongly opposed this bill, voicing concerns to leadership in both the House and Senate. We are actively working to amend or halt the bill entirely. The bill will have far-reaching negative consequences.
Position: WR strongly opposes this bill.
Status: April 8, 2025: In House Committee on Appropriations waiting for a vote.
Improving public safety funding by providing resources to local governments and state and local criminal justice agencies, and authorizing a local option tax (HB 2015)
House Bill 2015 proposes a comprehensive public safety strategy, allowing local governments to raise sales taxes to fund law enforcement, courts, and treatment programs. It includes grants to hire more officers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and diversion/treatment specialists, addressing, in particular, Washington’s low police staffing. Supported by the Washington Retail Association, the bill is seen as crucial for ensuring safe workplaces and communities. The bill passed out of the Senate Ways and Means Committee Tuesday and now goes to the entire Senate for debate and hopeful approval.
Position: WR strongly supports this bill.
Status: Approved by the Senate Committee on Ways & Means Tuesday.
Job Posting “Right to Cure” at Risk in House of Representatives (SB 5408)
SB 5408, the “Right to Cure” legislation, initially offered employers a 14-day window to rectify wage and salary disclosure errors without legal risk. However, after passing the Senate 41-7, the House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee made changes that removed these safeguards. The changes create technical problems with the bill’s title and content, as well as opposition from the business community that the bill was initially intended to help. Without a right to cure, employers face immediate litigation for minor errors, including those caused by third-party platforms. Since the law’s passage in 2022, numerous lawsuits have underscored the punitive environment.
WR urges lawmakers to restore the Senate version, which provides a fair chance to correct mistakes while ensuring job seekers receive accurate information. This approach balances practical compliance challenges and legal accountability—failure to act risks perpetuating a flawed, litigious system.
Position: WR has concerns with this bill.
Status: In Rules to review.
