The Washington State Senate Ways and Means Committee (WA Senate WM) considers the operating and capital budget bills and related legislation, including the authorization of state debt. The committee also deals with tax policy and other fiscal issues such as pension policy and compensation in addition to bills with operating budget fiscal impacts.
Washington State Senate Ways and Means Committee
(WA Senate WM)
Public
Structural Relationships
-
Washington State Senate
(WA Senate) -
Washington State Senate Ways and Means Committee
(WA Senate WM)
Legislative Sessions
Observations
WA Legislature - Update
(April 16, 2025)
The social equity program bill was well positioned for consideration ahead of the final cutoff gateway on Wednesday at 5pm PT, but two other cannabis-related bills remained relegated to rules.
WA Legislature - Update
(April 15, 2025)
The producer unions legislation was passed, a new medical cannabis program expansion bill was staged for introduction, and time was running out for three bills ahead of cutoff Wednesday.
WA Legislature - Update
(April 10, 2025)
The cannabis “agricultural worker” bill was quickly advanced to the Senate floor calendar by democratic leaders and the newly introduced THC excise tax bill gained a co-sponsor.
WA Legislature - Update
(April 9, 2025)
Production union legislation was advanced before the Tuesday cutoff and a new bill aimed to further increase costs for concentrates containing more than 35% THC in the most regressively taxed regulated market.
WA Legislature - Update
(April 8, 2025)
A WSLCB gubernatorial appointment confirmation was advanced Monday and senators were prepared to advance legislation granting collective bargaining rights to plant-touching workers ahead of the next cutoff.
The Week Ahead
(April 7, 2025)
Planned committee activity for the 2025 regular session would draw to a close on Tuesday as regulators struggled to rescind authority over labs while also expanding reporting requirements.
WA Legislature - Update
(April 7, 2025)
Legislators worked over the weekend ahead of the Opposite House Fiscal Committee Cutoff on Tuesday positioning the cannabis “agricultural worker” unionization bill for potential movement.
WA Legislature - Update
(April 5, 2025)
On Friday legislators passed the first cannabis bill of 2025 and senators planned to hear testimony on legislation authorizing collective bargaining rights for plant-touching workers on Saturday.
WA Legislature - Update
(April 4, 2025)
Representatives heard testimony opposed to slashing State support for businesses transitioning to worker-owned models and the Senate requested a closed conference on the operating budgets.
WA Legislature - Update
(April 3, 2025)
Seven cannabis bills made it through Wednesday but two didn’t make the cut as activity renewed in fiscal committees where adjacent revenue legislation and one cannabis-related bill were scheduled.