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
Feb 7: Executive action taken in the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary, majority pass.
Feb 12: Referred to Rules 2 Review.
Mar 19: Returned to Rules Committee for second reading.
2026 Session
Jan 12: By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
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: Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business at 1:30 PM
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: Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Finance at 1:30 PM
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.
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.
Jan 12: First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Relations.
Jan 13: Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations
Jan 20: Executive action taken in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations.
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 12: First reading, referred to Environment & Energy.
Jan 22: Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 8:00 AM
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 12: First reading, referred to Postsecondary Education & Workforce.
Jan 21: Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Postsecondary Education & Workforce at 1:30 PM
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 13: First reading, referred to 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 14: First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Relations.
Jan 20: Public hearing in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 1:30 PM.
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.
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 16: First reading, referred to Postsecondary Education & Workforce.
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 20: First reading, referred to 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.
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 21: First reading, referred to Labor & Workplace Standards.
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.
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 12: First reading, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.
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).
Jan 12: First reading, referred to Housing.
Jan 16: Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Housing.
Jan 23: Scheduled for executive session in the Senate Committee on Housing at 10:30 AM
Designating the state shark.
SB 6108 designates the bluntnose sixgill shark as the state shark. Companion bill: HB 2447 (Reeves).
Status not available at time of report
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 14: First reading, referred to Ways & Means.
Jan 22: Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4:00 PM
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 15: First reading, referred to 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.
