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
Observations
WA Legislature - Update
(February 24, 2025)
Five more cannabis-related bills made it through the first cutoff bringing the total to 13, five of which must be moved by fiscal committees by the next gateway on Friday to continue onwards, including home grow.
WA Legislature - Update
(February 21, 2025)
The lab certification bill was passed in the House before a mishmash of amendments were published on seven cannabis-related bills up for executive sessions Friday morning in advance of the first cutoff.
WA Legislature - Update
(February 20, 2025)
Two bills were heard and the social equity program evaluation bill was advanced; fiscal committee schedules for the following week remained blank slates; and a SUD treatment bill may be moved.
WA Legislature - Update
(February 19, 2025)
Three bills were heard Tuesday; advertising and lab certification legislation was advanced; and two hearings were scheduled Wednesday in addition to the controversial social equity program evaluation bill.
WA Legislature - Update
(February 5, 2025)
Legislators heard testimony on five cannabis-related bills on Tuesday, a variant on the impaired driving bill was readied for introduction, and WSLCB leaders would be called upon to provide “technology updates.”
WA Legislature - Update
(February 4, 2025)
Five cannabis-related bills were scheduled for hearings on Tuesday, two bills would be introduced seeking to increase local control, and the Vice Chair of the cannabis policy committee in the House was replaced.
The Week Ahead
(February 3, 2025)
Five cannabis bills would receive hearings in the fourth week of the 2025 session, while regulators trimmed lab accreditation rules and briefed lawmakers on technology challenges.
WA Legislature - Update
(January 30, 2025)
A substantively changed WSLCB data dashboard bill was recommended out of committee, schedule changes included an additional 5 public hearings next week, and the DUI bill was up anew in the Senate.
WA Legislature - Update
(January 29, 2025)
Four public hearings on Tuesday evidenced the complexity of cannabis policymaking, Republicans were eyeing excise tax revenue, and legislation may be advanced on WSLCB data dashboard development.
WA Legislature - Update
(January 14, 2025)
The regular session got underway with the introduction of legislation and a briefing on the budget; Tuesday would include the first public hearing of a bill in the new cannabis policy committee in the House.