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
(January 31, 2024)
Having arrived at the first cutoff deadline of the 2024 regular session, several cannabis-related bills had made it through the gateway - but very few were well positioned for the next.
WA Senate LC - Committee Meeting
(January 22, 2024) - SB 6271 - Public Hearing
A study of changing product tax rates based on cannabinoid content divided cannabis sector interests, while a public health official supported further evaluation of the approach.
WA Legislature - Update
(January 23, 2024)
After a particularly busy Monday for cannabis-related legislation in both the Senate and House, representatives were scheduled to move the inversion/diversion bill on Tuesday.
WA Legislature - Update
(January 22, 2024)
Some legislators seemed eager to at least appear to be eager to earmark unapportioned cannabis excise tax revenue at the beginning of the third week of the 2024 regular session.
WA Legislature - Update
(January 17, 2024)
Representatives had too much to chew on from their Tuesday hearings, WSLCB leadership discussed legislative positions, and five bills could potentially be moved in Senate Rules.
WA Legislature - Update
(January 9, 2024)
Lawmakers reintroduced 2023 legislation, nudging one cannabis bill forward, and planned to introduce expansive new hemp processor legislation before hearing three cannabis-related bills.
The Week Ahead
(January 8, 2024)
The published calendar for the first week of the 2024 regular session appeared relatively light on cannabis-related activity, but schedules can change quickly and regulatory activity continued.
WA Legislature - Update
(January 5, 2024)
As legislators made final preparations for the 2024 session starting on Monday, policy and budget bills had been pre-filed and committee schedules were being shaped.
The Week Ahead
(August 14, 2023)
Legislators and agency staff were preparing for the shorter 2024 legislative session where organized retail crime and patient concerns would figure amidst cannabis related policymaking.
WA Governor - Bill Action
(May 16, 2023) - SB 5187
The operating budget that reached Governor Jay Inslee featured more than a dozen state agencies which received cannabis revenue, or were budgeted for activities related to the plant.