Bad Bills That Passed
Removing protections and safeguards for taxpayers
House Bill 2442 dramatically expands counties’ and cities’ ability to raise taxes and fees by loosening long-standing safeguards that protect taxpayers.
The bill authorizes multiple new and expanded local taxes, including higher real estate excise taxes, new county utility taxes passed directly onto ratepayers’ bills, expanded sales taxes, and changes to property tax levy limits. In several cases, local governments could impose or increase these taxes without voter approval or fewer guardrails on how high taxes can go or how long they last.
The bill also allows local governments greater flexibility to redirect revenue away from traditional infrastructure needs toward ongoing programs and operating expenses, blurring the line between temporary taxes and permanent cost growth.
Why is this a bad policy?
- Worsens Washington’s affordability crisis. At a time when families are already struggling with housing costs, groceries, fuel, and utilities, piling on new local taxes makes it hard for people to live, work, and stay in their communities.
- Raises taxes in multiple ways at once. Instead of a single, transparent proposal, this bill layers new authority across property taxes, sales taxes, real estate excise taxes, and utility taxes—making it harder for families to see the full cost they are being asked to absorb.
- Passes government costs directly onto household utility bills. The bill allows counties to impose new utility taxes that utilities must add directly to customer bills. That means higher monthly costs for electricity, gas, water, sewer, phone, and garbage services—expenses families cannot avoid.
- Erodes voter oversight and accountability. The bill weakens long-standing protections that require clear voter approval before taxes are increased, shifting more taxing authority to local governments without requiring the direct consent of the people who pay the bill.
- Blurs the line between one-time taxes and permanent spending. By expanding how tax revenues can be used, this bill makes it easier for temporary or targeted taxes to become ongoing funding streams—locking in higher costs long after the original justification has passed.
Bottom line
HB 2442 isn’t about flexibility—it’s about expanding the government’s ability to raise taxes with fewer checks and fewer questions. The result is higher costs, less transparency, and more pressure on families who are already stretched thin.
Last updated: April 10, 2026 - 11:01 am
Timeline:
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Signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson on March 25
- Bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.
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Passed the full Senate chamber on March 5
- Passed with a vote of 26-22-1
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Executive action taken (moved from committee) in the Senate Ways & Means Committee at 10:30 a.m. on March 2
- Voted out of committee 14-10
- Watch the executive session on TVW
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Public hearing in the Senate Ways & Means Committee at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 26
- Send a comment to your state legislators on your position.
- Get email notifications on this bill.
- Watch the public hearing on TVW.
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Passed the full House chamber on Feb. 17
- Passed with a vote of 53-44.
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Executive action taken (moved from committee) in the House Appropriations Committee at 9:00 a.m. on Feb. 9
- Voted out of committee 17-10.
- Watch the executive session on TVW.
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Public hearing in the House Appropriations Committee at 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 5
- Send a comment to your state legislators on your position.
- Get email notifications on this bill.
- Watch the committee hearing on TVW.
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Executive action taken (moved from committee) in the House Finance Committee at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 29
- Voted out of committee 9-6.
- Watch the executive session on TVW.
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Public hearing in the House Finance Committee at 8:00 a.m. on Jan. 20
- Send a comment to your state legislators on your position.
- Sign up to testify (in person or remotely).
- Submit written testimony.
- Watch the committee hearing on TVW.