The THC tax study didn’t make it through the Opposite House Fiscal Committee Cutoff gateway, narrowing the list of active cannabis-related bills down to seven as legislators returned to floor sessions.
Here are some observations of the Washington State Legislature (WA Legislature) for Tuesday February 27th, the 51st day of the 2024 regular session.
My top 4 takeaways:
- On Monday, the Washington State House Finance Committee (WA House FIN) did not take action on the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) tax study legislation prior to the fiscal committee cutoff.
- SB 6271 - “Modifying the cannabis excise tax to consider THC concentration.”
- On Friday February 23rd, WA House FIN members had many questions for policy committee staff about legislation which would task the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) with proposing a revised cannabis excise tax policy around THC concentration. An executive session on the bill was scheduled later that day.
- On Sunday February 25th, Deputy Majority Leader My Linh-Thai published her striking amendment which would have substantially altered the legislation.
- While members were briefed on the bill and striking amendment during their meeting on Monday, on return from caucus they did not take up the legislation for consideration.
- As the legislation was not moved prior to the Opposite House Fiscal Committee Cutoff later that day, its chances for receiving subsequent attention were greatly diminished.
- SB 6271 - “Modifying the cannabis excise tax to consider THC concentration.”
- Also on Monday, the Washington State House Appropriations Committee (WA House APP) recommended the cannabis waste bill unanimously.
- SB 5376 - "Allowing the sale of cannabis waste."
- On Thursday February 22nd, members heard only positive testimony on legislation to allow sales and giveaways of cannabis waste byproducts.
- During the meeting, members moved the amended language recommended by the Washington State House Regulated Substances and Gaming Committee (WA House RSG). Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon and Assistant Ranking Minority Member Kelly Chambers both spoke favorably in support of the legislation which was unanimously passed in a voice vote with Representatives Bruce Chandler and Mary Dye excused.
- The legislation was referred to the Washington State House Rules Committee (WA House RUL) for calendaring.
- SB 5376 - "Allowing the sale of cannabis waste."
- As well on Monday, the Washington State Senate Ways and Means Committee (WA Senate WM) recommended the patient excise tax exemption legislation in a largely partisan vote.
- HB 1453 - “Providing a tax exemption for medical cannabis patients.”
- On Friday February 23rd, members heard only positive testimony on the legislation.
- On Saturday February 24th, legislative staff announced an executive session on the legislation had been scheduled for the committee’s Monday meeting.
- On Sunday February 25th, a striking amendment by Chair June Robinson was published which would revert House changes to exempt the tax preference from expiration and prior review.
- During the executive session, the striking amendment was adopted and the legislation was recommended in a voice vote without any discussion offered by members.
- The following Republicans voted against the legislation:
- Ranking Member (Operating) Lynda Wilson
- Assistant Ranking Member (Operating) Chris Gildon
- Ranking Member (Capital) Mark Schoesler
- Assistant Ranking Member (Capital) Ann Rivers
- Senator Matt Boehnke
- Republican Leader John Braun
- Republican Deputy Floor Leader Nikki Torres
- Republican Whip Keith Wagoner
- The following Republicans broke with their peers to vote for the legislation:
- Assistant Ranking Member (Capital) Judy Warnick
- Republican Deputy Caucus Chair Ron Muzzall
- The legislation was referred to the Washington State Senate Rules Committee (WA Senate RULE) for calendaring.
- HB 1453 - “Providing a tax exemption for medical cannabis patients.”
- On Tuesday and for the remainder of the week, lawmakers would convene floor sessions to debate, amend, and vote on legislation ahead of the Opposite House Cutoff on Friday March 1st at 5pm PT.
- The Washington State House of Representatives (WA House) was scheduled to convene starting at 9am PT and the Washington State Senate (WA Senate) at 9am PT.
- At publication time, six cannabis-related bills remained at risk, having not been passed by the opposite chamber.
- One bill was well positioned for floor activity on the consent calendar in the Senate:
- HB 2151 - “Reassigning the accreditation of private cannabis testing laboratories from the department of ecology to the department of agriculture.”
- At publication time, there were no published floor amendments on the legislation.
- HB 2151 - “Reassigning the accreditation of private cannabis testing laboratories from the department of ecology to the department of agriculture.”
- The other five bills awaited pulls from rules committees or chamber leadership. At publication time, there were no published floor amendments on any of the bills.
- One bill was well positioned for floor activity on the consent calendar in the Senate: