Session is Done | FIFA World Cup 2026 Gets $21M

The 2024 legislative session adjourned Sine Die at 5 p.m. on March 7 after lawmakers worked long days and nights to wrap up the budgets, address bills necessary to implement the budget, pass three of the six initiatives, reconcile differences in bills approved by both the House and Senate, and honor members who won’t be resuming their positions in the Legislature.

During this short 60-day sprint, the Legislature passed 386 bills, which included the 2024 Supplemental Operating, Capital and Transportation budgets. 

There will be significant changes in the legislature next year due to the fall elections in Washington state. Of the 49 members of the Senate, 24 seats are open, along with all 98 seats in the House of Representatives, and numerous statewide and congressional races. Many legislators have announced retirements or plans to run for different offices. Below is a list of members who have announced their departure from their current roles.

• House: Kelly Chambers, Spencer Hutchins, Joel Kretz, Jacqueline Maycumber, J.T. Wilcox, Mike Chapman, Paul Harris, Marcus Riccelli
• Senate: Andy Billig, Manka Dhingra*, Sam Hunt, Karen Keiser, Patty Kuderer*, Mark Mullet, Emily Randall*, Kevin Van De Wege, Lynda Wilson

 *Maintains current role even if they lose their race

Key Issues

• Unemployment Benefits for Striking Employees – Legislation that would provide unemployment benefits for workers, HB 1893, passed the House this session but ultimately stalled on the Senate floor where it failed to receive a vote. We expect this legislation to return in some form next year. 
• Rent Control – Legislation concerning residential rent stabilization, HB 2114, passed the House but ultimately failed in the Senate. We expect this issue to return next session.
• AI Task Force – SB 5838, creating an AI task force to make recommendations to the legislature on the use and regulation of AI. The final report must be delivered by July 1, 2026. 
• Gift Cards – SB 5988/HB 2095 and SB 5987/HB 2094 did not advance, and language included in the House Supplemental Operating Budget Proposal for the Attorney General’s Office to investigate “deceptive gift card practices,” you can see the language here at the top of page 55, Section 12, was removed.
• 2026 FIFA World Cup Funding – $1 million was included in the 2024 Supplemental Transportation Budget and $20 million was included in the 2024 Supplemental Capital Budget.

Budgets

Capital Budget – Funding allocates $1.3 billion for various construction projects across the state. Major funding includes schools ($200 million allocated to various programs), behavioral health facilities ($83 million), and affordable housing ($128 million designated for the Housing Trust Fund to support low-income housing projects). 

Operating Budget– During the 2023 session, the legislature passed a $69.8 billion operating budget and is increasing spending by another $2.1 billion, as outlined in their Supplemental Operating Budget released during the 2024 session. Significant spending items include education, opioid and public safety, housing and homelessness, and behavioral health support.

Transportation Budget– The Supplemental Transportation Budget passed this year increased spending by $1 billion from last year, totaling a $14.6 billion dollar spending package for the biennium. 

Citizen-Led Initiatives

Three initiatives passed the legislature and go into effect 90 days after the legislature adjourns. Read more here. 

• I-2111codifies Washington state’s longstanding tradition of prohibiting state and local personal income taxes
• I-2113 rolls back current state restrictions on police pursuits
• I-2081 enhances parents’ rights regarding their children’s education

On the ballot in November will be:

• I-2117 to repeal the two-year-old Climate Commitment Act
• I-2109 to repeal the capital gains excise tax
• I-2124 to repeal the WA Cares Fund