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
The Week Ahead
(January 13, 2025)
In addition to the kickoff of the 2025 regular session, WSLCB board members planned to advance rulemaking and organic-equivalent cannabis could get another look at WSDA.
WA Legislature - Update
(January 13, 2025)
Four cannabis bills were primed for the regular session of the Washington State Legislature which began Monday under burdened conditions given new legislators, fiscal constraints, and national foreboding.
WA Legislature - Update
(March 5, 2024)
The cannabis waste bill was passed by the Legislature; the supplemental operating budget was nearing completion; and two cannabis-related bills awaited concurrence votes in the last three days of session.
WA Senate - Session
(March 1, 2024) - HB 1453 - Second and Third Reading
Senators reduced by half the period of time registered patients would be exempted from a cannabis excise tax under HB 1453, but a large majority again supported the change.
WSLCB - Board Caucus
(February 27, 2024) - Summary
Legislative and budget issues were top-of-mind for the board, but they also discussed an impending rulemaking project related to minors on the premises of producers and processors.
WA Legislature - Update
(February 27, 2024)
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.
WA Senate WM - Committee Meeting
(February 22, 2024) - Summary
Senators decided the “high THC” bill was similar enough to a companion to skip a public hearing; all testimony on the bill to exempt patients from cannabis excise taxes was supportive.
The Week Ahead
(February 26, 2024)
One cannabis bill was gathering signatures, another was ready for final passage, three were in rules awaiting calendaring, and three more were scheduled for execs before the Monday cutoff.
WA Legislature - Update
(February 26, 2024)
All three cannabis bills at risk were scheduled for executive sessions before the fiscal committee cutoff on Monday, although two carried potential amendments which could alter their outcomes.
WA Legislature - Update
(February 23, 2024)
The first cannabis legislation of the session was passed; two bills in fiscal committees were heard and one was advanced regardless of not being heard; and the “potency tax” study was up for a financial review.