Heritage Caucus serves as a forum for considering budget and policy impacts on the heritage, arts, and cultural sectors across the state. Legislators, state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and members of the public are invited to attend. The 2026 legislative session is scheduled to begin on January 12 and conclude on March 12. Heritage Caucus will meet virtually on Wednesdays at 7:00 a.m. during the session.
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The Heritage Caucus Bill Report tracks legislation that would impact the arts and cultural sectors. If you would like to recommend a bill for tracking, please contact us.
Budget bills:
Concerning family burial grounds.
HB 1065 creates various rules and methods by which family burial grounds can be established, including how and when burial records will be sent to the county auditor.
2025 Session
Mar 19: Returned to Rules Committee for second reading.
2026 Session
Jan 12: By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
Jan 27: Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
Ensuring dedicated funding for history and heritage museums and county historic preservation programs.
HB 1658 requires counties to create a dedicated historic preservation fund. It clarifies that recording surcharges must support museum operations and capital costs for municipal or nonprofit facilities. Additionally, the bill introduces a formal definition for what qualifies as a history museum.
2025 Session
Feb 5: Public hearing in the House Committee on Local Government.
2026 Session
Jan 12: By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
Concerning seismic hazard risk reduction.
HB 1810 addresses earthquake risks by promoting seismic retrofits for masonry buildings. It mandates a study on financial incentives and requires a statewide inventory of these structures to improve public safety and protect affordable housing.
2025 Session
Feb 3: First reading, referred to Appropriations.
2026 Session
Jan 12: By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status
Exempting live presentations from retail sales and use tax.
House Bill 2101 changes how Washington taxes certain services. It creates a tax exemption for live, in-person presentations, but keeps many other goods and services taxable. These include construction, digital products, warranties, and recreational activities like golf and ice skating. The bill includes an emergency clause for immediate effect.
Jan 12: First reading, referred to Finance.
Exempting nonprofits and schools from certain sales and use taxes on services.
House Bill 2121 removes retail sales tax on certain business, professional, and digital automated services when the buyer is a nonprofit, a school, or an educational group. These services include IT support, custom website work, security, temporary staffing, advertising, and live presentations for eligible users.
Jan 12: First reading, referred to Finance.
Concerning alcohol service at facilities with sports, amusement, or recreational activities engaged in by patrons.
House Bill 2128 updates RCW 66.24.570 by expanding the definition of a sports entertainment facility license. Previously, the license applied mainly to arenas, stadiums, or similar venues where people paid to watch sporting events. Under the bill, it would also apply to any publicly or privately owned facilities where patrons pay to enter or to take part in sports, amusement, or recreational activities. The bill further gives the board authority to limit which activities within these facilities may offer beer, wine, and spirits.
Jan 12: First reading, referred to Consumer Protection & Business.
Jan 21: Public hearing in the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business
Repealing new taxes imposed by Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 5814 during the 2025 regular legislative session.
House Bill 2130 (HB 2130) cancels the new taxes created by Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5814 (ESSB 5814). This means the expanded retail sales tax on certain services, the removal of exclusions for digital automated services, and the changes to nicotine product taxes will no longer take effect. HB 2130 would go into effect on April 1, 2026.
Jan 12: First reading, referred to Finance.
Recognizing major religious holidays.
This bill updates state law to recognize additional religious observances that are not legal holidays. The changes reflect the Legislature’s intent to acknowledge and respect diverse faith traditions. The new additions would be Easter Sunday, Good Friday, Hanukkah, Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha.
Jan 12: First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Relations.
Concerning sales and use tax for cultural access programs.
This bill removes the prohibition on a county and a city within that county concurrently imposing cultural access taxes. Under these new provisions, if both jurisdictions impose the tax, the county must grant a credit against its tax for the full amount of the tax collected by the city.
Jan 12: First reading, referred to Finance.
Jan 23: Public hearing in the House Committee on Finance
Feb 4: Executive action taken in the House Committee on Finance. Majority pass. Referred to Rules 2 Review.
Addressing theft and vandalism involving metal property.
This bill tightens scrap metal transaction regulations by requiring photographs of property and digital uploads to a state database. It eliminates cash payments, mandating checks or electronic transfers. Additionally, it creates a critical infrastructure crime reduction unit to investigate metal theft and vandalism. Works in the State Art Collection have been damaged by metal theft and vandalism.
Jan 12: First reading, referred to Consumer Protection & Business.
Concerning taxes administered by the department of revenue.
HB 2257 provides technical corrections and transition rules for the tax expansion established by SSB 5814. It establishes a six-month "transition period" allowing businesses with pre-existing contracts to choose their tax reporting method. Additionally, it clarifies definitions for advertising and excludes specific school-related services from being taxed. Companion bill: SB 6113 (Frame).
Jan 12: First reading, referred to Finance.
Jan 27: Public hearing in the House Committee on Finance
Feb 4: Passed executive session in the House Committee on Finance. 1st substitute bill. Referred to Rules to review.
Concerning the state and tribal government-to-government relationship.
HB 2281 requires state agencies and Indian tribes to mutually agree on how government-to-government consultation will occur. It also requires agencies to give timely notice and engage in consent-based consultation when an action may affect a tribe’s traditional cultural place. The bill allows tribes to take legal action if an agency creates an undue burden or interferes with traditional cultural practices. /// HB 2281-S (1st substitute bill) narrows "agency action" to state-funded construction and replaces "consent-based" consultation with Executive Order 21-02 standards. It introduces a three-year statute of limitations for judicial claims and removes "contemporary lands" from the Indian tribe definition.
Jan 20: Executive action taken in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations. 1st substitute bill passed.
Jan 22: Referred to Capital Budget.
Feb 6: Public hearing in the House Committee on Capital Budget
Feb 9: Executive action taken in the House Committee on Capital Budget. 2nd substitute bill passed. Referred to Rules to review.
Concerning extended producer responsibility requirements associated with paint.
HB 2301 classifies arts and crafts paints as "paint products" and requires producers to join a recycling stewardship program. To fund this, a small fee is added to the retail price.
Jan 22: Public hearing in the House Committee on Environment & Energy
Feb 2: Executive action taken in the House Committee on Environment & Energy. 1st substitute bill.
Feb 4: Referred to Appropriations.
Feb 6: Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations
Feb 9: Passed executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations. Referred to Rules 2 Review.
Concerning temporary exemptions from licensure for certain applicants for a license to practice music therapy.
House Bill 2363 bill allows music therapy license applicants to practice under supervision for up to six months while awaiting exam result verification.
Jan 21: Public hearing in the House Committee on Postsecondary Education & Workforce
Jan 27: Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the House Committee on Postsecondary Education & Workforce
Feb 4: Passed executive session in the House Committee on Postsecondary Education & Workforce. 1st substitute bill. Referred to Rules to review.
Exempting temporary staffing services from retail sales tax.
House Bill 2424 makes temporary staffing services exempt from retail sales tax. It changes the law by removing language that labeled these services as retail sales.
Jan 13: First reading, referred to Finance.
Designating the state shark.
HB 2447 designates the bluntnose sixgill shark as the state shark. Companion bill: SB 6108 (Frame).
Jan 30: Public hearing in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations
Feb 4: Passed executive session in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations.
Concerning language accessible public programs, activities, and services conducted, operated, or administered by state agencies.
House Bill 2475 requires Washington state agencies to offer services and programs in languages other than English. By 2027, the Office of Equity will create statewide guidelines to ensure clear and consistent communication.
Jan 20: Public hearing in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations.
Feb 4: Executive action taken in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations. 1st substitute bill. Referred to Appropriations.
Feb 6: Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations
Feb 9: Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations. Referred to Rules 2 Review.
Concerning residential development in commercial and mixed-use zones.
HB 2480 addresses Washington’s housing shortage by allowing residential development in commercial and mixed-use zones. It prevents cities and counties with 30,000 residents from requiring ground-floor retail for housing. While industrial or historic sites are exempt, local governments must update regulations within one year. Companion bill: SB 6026 (Alvarado).
Jan 14: First reading, referred to Local Government.
Jan 28: Public hearing in the House Committee on Local Government
Feb 4: Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Local Government, but no action was taken.
Establishing the heritage orchard program.
HB 2525 directs Washington State University to create a heritage orchard program to identify, preserve, and propagate rare and historic apple varieties, helping conserve Washington’s agricultural history and prevent the loss of heritage apple trees and orchards.
Jan 27: Public hearing in the House Committee on Postsecondary Education & Workforce
Feb 3: Passed executive session in the House Committee on Postsecondary Education & Workforce, 1st substitute bill.
Feb 4: Referred to Rules 2 Review.
Promoting and funding public media and digital equity.
House Bill 2579 creates funding for public media and digital equity across Washington. It establishes state programs to support noncommercial broadcasters and help residents access the internet safely. These initiatives are funded by a 20-cent monthly tax on phone and internet voice lines.
Jan 30: Public hearing in the House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans
Establishing a pilot program to advance funds to nonprofits to support grant performance.
HB 2587 creates a pilot program allowing the Department of Commerce to provide advance funding to nonprofit grant recipients. The program prioritizes smaller organizations, providing up to $200,000 to help them perform essential community work and build greater local capacity. Companion bill: SB 6245 (Wilson, C.)
Jan 20: First reading, referred to Appropriations.
Feb 2: Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations
Reducing the standard workweek from 40 hours to 32 hours.
HB 2611 reduces Washington’s standard workweek from 40 to 32 hours, requiring overtime pay for extra work. It also allows employees to accrue paid sick leave faster and takes effect January 1, 2028.
Jan 27: Public hearing in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards
Expanding the eligibility for historic preservation property tax special valuation.
HB 2697 expands eligibility for historic property tax valuation extensions by removing the requirement that properties be located within a distressed area county. Eligibility is now simplified, requiring only that the property be located in a city with a population under 20,000.
Jan 28: First reading, referred to Finance.
Requiring public schools to commemorate the contributions of Chinese Americans and Americans of Chinese descent.
SB 5134 designates January as Chinese American History Month. It requires Washington public schools to commemorate the contributions and history of Chinese Americans. Beginning in 2025, schools must include lessons on the Chinese Exclusion Act and other historical events using specific state-approved materials.
2025 Session
Jan 13: First reading, referred to Early Learning & K-12 Education.
Jan 14: Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.
2026 Session
Jan 12: By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
Improving reliability and capacity of the electric transmission system in Washington state.
SB 5466 mandates that the new transmission authority protect cultural and archaeological resources during project development. It requires notifying the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation and tribes, even for exempt projects. That department may demand archaeological surveys, and a tribal representative will join the authority’s board.
2025 Session: In the Senate
Feb 18: Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology. 1st substitute passed.
Mar 10: Floor amendment(s) adopted.
2025 Session: In the House
Apr 27: By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
2026 Session: In the Senate
Feb 3: Passed executive session in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology. 2nd substitute passed.
Feb 4: Referred to Ways & Means.
Feb 6: Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means
Feb 9: Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means. 3rd substitute bill passed. Passed to Rules Committee for third reading.
Regarding cultural resource protection for certain land use activities that are categorically exempt from the state environmental policy act.
SB 5609 mandates cultural resource protection for land use actions usually exempt from state environmental review. Local governments must have data-sharing agreements, preservation ordinances, and tribal consultation to manage these exemptions.
2025 Session: In the Senate
Jan 31: First reading, referred to Environment, Energy & Technology.
2026 Regular Session
Jan 27: Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology
Feb 3: Passed executive session in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology. 1st substitute bill.
Feb 4: Referred to Ways & Means.
Feb 6: Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means
Feb 9: Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means. 2nd substitute bill. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Celebrating Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Guru Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh, and Vaisakhi.
This bill expands state recognition of religious holidays to foster inclusivity. It adds several nonlegal holidays to state law, including Vaisakhi, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the births of Guru Gobind Singh and Guru Nanak. These additions aim to respect religious minorities.
Jan 27: Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections at 1:30 PM
Feb 3: Passed executive session in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.
Feb 4: Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Feb 6: Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Exempting live presentations from retail sales and use tax.
Senate Bill 5980 exempts all live presentations, including lectures and workshops, from retail sales and use tax. It removes these services from the definition of a retail sale and restores the tax exclusion for digital presentations by explicitly excluding them from the definition of digital automated services.
Jan 12: First reading, referred to Ways & Means.
Exempting schools from retail sales tax imposed on certain services.
SB 6012 interacts with ESSB 5814 by excluding schools regulated under Title 28A or chapter 72.408 RCW from new retail sales taxes on specific services. It removes taxes on IT, security, staffing, advertising, and live presentation services when provided to these schools.
Jan 12: First reading, referred to Ways & Means.
Concerning residential development in commercial and mixed-use zones.
SB 6026 addresses Washington’s housing shortage by allowing residential development in commercial and mixed-use zones. It prevents cities and counties with 30,000 residents from requiring ground-floor retail for housing. While industrial or historic sites are exempt, local governments must update regulations within one year. Companion bill: HB 2480 (Street). /// SB 6026-S allows a city or county to permit mixed-use development or ground-floor commercial or retail uses in commercial or mixed-use zones when the building is listed on the state or national historic register.
Jan 28: Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Housing. 1st substitute bill passed.
Jan 29: Referred to Ways & Means.
Feb 5: Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means
Feb 9: Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means. 2nd substitute bill passed. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Designating the state shark.
SB 6108 designates the bluntnose sixgill shark as the state shark. Companion bill: HB 2447 (Reeves).
Jan 14: First reading, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.
Concerning taxes administered by the department of revenue.
SB 6113 provides technical corrections and transition rules for the tax expansion established by SSB 5814. It establishes a six-month "transition period" allowing businesses with pre-existing contracts to choose their tax reporting method. Additionally, it clarifies definitions for advertising and excludes specific school-related services from being taxed. Companion bill: HB 2257 (Berg).
Jan 22: Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means
Feb 9: Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means. 1st substitute bill. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Celebrating national voter registration day.
Directs public high schools to observe National Voter Registration Day each September and to coordinate voter registration events on National Voter Registration Day as resources allow.
Jan 27: Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education
Feb 4: Passed executive session in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education. 1st substitute bill. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Concerning ticket sales.
SB 6175, also known as the WAVE (Washington Access and Venue Equity) Act, protects consumers by regulating the ticket market. It requires all-in price transparency, caps resale prices at 110% for most events, and requires state licensing for resellers. Major sporting events are exempt from price caps but must follow transparency rules. The bill also bans speculative tickets and guarantees refunds for canceled events or fake tickets.
Jan 28: Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Business, Trade & Economic Development
Establishing a pilot program to advance funds to nonprofits to support grant performance.
SB 6245 creates a pilot program allowing the Department of Commerce to provide advance funding to nonprofit grant recipients. The program prioritizes smaller organizations, providing up to $200,000 to help them perform essential community work and build greater local capacity. Companion bill: HB 2587 (Cortes).
Jan 20: First reading, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.
Creating the capitol centennial stewardship account and authorizing members of the legislature and statewide elected officials to solicit gifts, grants, and donations to the account.
SB 6313 creates the capitol centennial stewardship account to fund repairs and public education for the Washington State Capitol’s 2028 centennial. It allows state officials to solicit private donations for these projects and exempts these activities from certain gift laws until 2033.
Jan 30: Public hearing in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections
Feb 3: Executive session in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections
Feb 4: Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Feb 6: Placed on second reading consent calendar.
Requesting Congress to determine that the closure of the Fairfax bridge and its immediate replacement be considered an emergency.
SJM 8016 urges federal officials to declare the Fairfax Bridge closure and replacement an emergency, allow Endangered Species Act review to occur concurrently or afterward, and remove the existing bridge from the National Register of Historic Places.
Feb 9: Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Transportation. 1st substitute bill. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Feb 10: Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
