How You Can Help – Now!

Encourage your representatives to support SSB 5647, which would expand the uses of hotel/motel revenues for tourism related purposes. See the Municipal Finance section for more information.
ESHB 1727, refinements to the land use and housing elements of GMA plans, was negotiated and AWC is no longer in opposition. We are encouraging the Senate to hold a hearing on this bill and pass it. Interested cities are encouraged to share your views with your senators. See the Land Use & Housing section for more information.

What’s Ahead

The House Appropriations Committee is scheduled to have a public hearing on HB 1128, their version of the state budget, on Tuesday, March 20 at 3:30 pm. See the Municipal Finance section for more information.
AWC Priority Bill, SHB 1858, regarding Transportation Benefit Districts, is scheduled for hearing in the Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday, March 21 at 1:30 pm. See the Infrastructure, Transportation & Economic Development section for more information.

SSB 5089, the streamlined sales tax legislation, passed the House without amendment on Friday, March 16. The bill will be sent on to the Governor for her signature. Please take a moment to thank your House members for early action on the bill this session. See the From the Director and Municipal Finance sections for more information.
SHB 2368, which would have provided technical fixes to municipal B&O tax apportionment provisions, failed to pass out of the House before the legislative cutoff and is considered dead for the session. See the Municipal Finance section for more information.
Three bills which would have negatively impacted cities are considered dead for the session: Utility Lien (SB 5854), Electronic Utility Bill Payment (SHB 1034), and Requiring Website Postings of Certain Information (SSB 5420). See the General Local Government section for more information.