OneRedmond

Legislative Update
Week of March 10, 2026 | Sine Die: 2 Days Remaining

The Washington State Legislature enters its final 48-72 hours as lawmakers race toward Sine Die on Thursday, March 12 at midnight. Out of 24 bills OneRedmond has tracked this session, 10 remain alive and positioned for potential passage. The top priority for Redmond businesses — HB 2418 (permit reform) — is ready for Senate floor action. Meanwhile, the controversial SB 6346 (Millionaires Tax) continues advancing through the House, setting up a likely court battle over its constitutionality. Below is the status of legislation critical to the Redmond business community.

⏰ This Week's Calendar

Tuesday, March 10: Rules Committees schedule bills for floor votes. Watch for HB 2418, SB 6346, and SB 6026 getting calendar slots.

Wednesday-Thursday, March 11-12: Floor votes on final legislation. Expect marathon sessions ending near midnight Thursday.

Thursday, March 12 (Midnight): Sine Die — session adjourns. Any bill not passed by both chambers dies.

Bills We're Watching
HB 2418
OneRedmond Active
Permit Review Process Reform
Housing / Permitting
Senate Floor — Likely Pass +
Description
Establishes 120-day shot clocks for permit approvals, creates appeal process for delays, and prohibits cities from requesting endless "additional information." This is Melissa Stuart's priority bill with direct Redmond impact.
Current Status
Passed House 78-20 with bipartisan support. Cleared Senate Local Government Committee. Now on Senate floor for 2nd reading, positioned for final passage vote.
OneRedmond Position
SUPPORT. Redmond has some of the longest permit timelines in King County. This bill would force faster processing or expose the city to legal challenges.
Outlook
78% passage probability. Strong bipartisan support, ready for floor vote. Expected to pass Wednesday or Thursday.
SB 6346
OneRedmond Active
Millionaires Tax (Capital Gains)
Tax / Revenue
Advancing — Court Risk +
Description
Creates 1% tax on capital gains over $250,000 ($500,000 joint). Expected to raise $500-800 million annually for education and early learning. Democrats' top revenue priority.
Current Status
Passed Senate. House Finance Committee took executive action February 27. Advancing to House floor for vote this week.
Constitutional Risk
Washington's Constitution (Article VII, Section 1) requires taxes be "uniform upon the same class of property." The Supreme Court struck down an income tax in 1933. SB 6346 attempts to frame this as an "excise tax on capital asset sales" rather than income. 50/50 chance it survives court challenge.
OneRedmond Position
OPPOSE. Affects high-net-worth business owners, investors, and creates estate planning complexity. Litigation risk means budget instability even if it passes.
Outlook
65% passage probability. House Democrats have votes to pass. Will face immediate litigation if signed. Budget writers treating revenue as "aspirational" with backup plans if courts kill it.
SB 6347
OneRedmond Active
Estate Tax Reinstatement
Tax
House Rules — Likely Pass +
Description
Rolls back 2025 estate tax rate increase from 35% to 20%. Affects estates of decedents dying on or after July 1, 2026.
Current Status
Passed Senate. Advanced from House Finance Committee to House Rules. Awaiting floor scheduling.
OneRedmond Position
SUPPORT. Provides relief for high-net-worth estate planning. Bipartisan backing increases passage likelihood.
Outlook
75% passage probability. Bipartisan support in both chambers. Should pass this week.
SB 6026
OneRedmond Active
Residential Development in Commercial Zones
Housing / Zoning
House Rules — Moderate +
Description
Removes ground-floor retail mandates for residential development in commercial zones. Amended version caps retail requirements at 40% of eligible areas with height incentives up to 85 feet.
Current Status
Passed Senate. Passed House Local Government Committee February 26 (amended). Advanced from House Appropriations to House Rules on March 4.
OneRedmond Position
MONITOR. Increases housing density potential but Redmond officials raised walkability concerns about reduced retail requirements. Housing is a session priority.
Outlook
68% passage probability. In House Rules but competing with higher-priority bills for floor time.
Key Legislation That Missed Cutoff

The following bills stalled in fiscal committees and are dead for the 2026 session:

DEAD
Payroll Tax Bills (HB 2100 / SB 6093)
Tax / Revenue
No Action +
Both bills stalled in their respective fiscal committees (House Finance and Senate Ways & Means) with no action taken by the March 2 cutoff. Would have imposed excise tax on large employer payroll expenses to fund the Well Washington Fund. Alternative revenue source to Millionaires Tax that failed to advance.
DEAD
Aerospace Tax Preferences (HB 2730)
Economic Development
No Action +
Clarifies effectiveness metrics for aerospace tax incentives. Public hearing held February 20 in House Finance, but no executive action taken. Stuck in committee, missed March 2 fiscal cutoff. Important for aerospace/space sector but failed to advance despite industry support.
Total Tracked Bills: 24 | Alive: 10 | Dead: 14 | Passage Expected: 6-8 bills
📊 Understanding the Numbers

24 Tracked Bills: OneRedmond is monitoring 24 bills this session that affect Redmond businesses, taxes, housing, and economic development.

10 Alive (42%): These bills cleared the March 2 fiscal committee cutoff and can still pass. They passed fiscal committees and moved to Rules or Floor.

14 Dead (58%): These bills stalled in fiscal committees by the March 2 deadline. They're dead for this session but could return in 2027.

6-8 Expected Passage: Based on current position and probability forecasts, we expect 6-8 of the 10 alive bills to actually pass both chambers and reach the Governor's desk by Thursday's deadline.

All 10 Alive Bills Explained
SB 6346
OneRedmond Active
Millionaires Tax — 65% Passage
Revenue / Education Funding
House Finance → Floor +
What it does: 1% capital gains tax on sales over $250K ($500K joint filers). Raises $500-800M annually for early learning and education.
Why it's alive: House Finance Committee took executive action Feb 27, advancing it to floor.
OneRedmond position: OPPOSED — affects business owners and investors; creates tax uncertainty.
Court risk: 50/50 chance Supreme Court strikes it down as unconstitutional income tax (1933 precedent).
HB 2418
Permit Reform — 78% Passage
Housing / Redmond Priority
Senate Floor +
What it does: 120-day shot clocks for permit approvals; creates appeal process; prohibits endless "additional info" requests from cities.
Why it's alive: Passed House 78-20 with bipartisan support; cleared Senate Local Gov; on Senate floor for 2nd reading.
OneRedmond position: SUPPORT — Melissa Stuart's bill; directly addresses Redmond's lengthy permit timelines.
Outlook: Near-certain passage. Expected floor vote Wed/Thu.
SB 6347
OneRedmond Active
Estate Tax Reinstatement — 75% Passage
Tax Relief
House Rules +
What it does: Rolls back 2025 estate tax rate increase from 35% to 20% for deaths on/after July 1, 2026.
Why it's alive: Passed Senate; advanced from House Finance to Rules Committee with bipartisan support.
OneRedmond position: SUPPORT — provides estate planning relief for high-net-worth families.
Outlook: Likely pass. Should get floor vote this week.
SB 6026
OneRedmond Active
Residential Development — 68% Passage
Housing / Zoning
House Rules +
What it does: Removes ground-floor retail mandates for residential development in commercial zones; amended to 40% cap.
Why it's alive: Passed Senate; passed House Local Gov (amended); advanced from Appropriations to Rules Mar 4.
OneRedmond position: MONITOR — increases housing density but Redmond raised walkability concerns.
Outlook: Moderate. Housing is priority but competing for floor time.
HB 2257
DOR Tax Administration
Tax / Administration
House Rules +
What it does: Updates Department of Revenue tax administration procedures and compliance processes.
Why it's alive: Cleared fiscal committee; in House Rules awaiting scheduling.
OneRedmond position: NEUTRAL — administrative updates with moderate business impact.
SB 6113
DOR Tax Administration (Senate)
Tax / Administration
Passed Senate +
What it does: Senate companion to HB 2257; updates DOR procedures.
Why it's alive: Already passed Senate; awaiting House action.
Outlook: Likely to pass if scheduled; companion bills typically move together.
HB 2278
OneRedmond Active
Tourism Promotion Areas — AT RISK
Tourism / Economic Dev
House Rules (since Feb 5) +
What it does: Removes sunset clause on tourism promotion fees (extends beyond July 2027).
Why it's alive: Passed Finance; in Rules but low priority.
Risk: Been in Rules since Feb 5; may not get scheduled for floor vote.
Outlook: 58% passage — competing with higher-priority bills for limited floor time.
HB 2325
OneRedmond Active
Tourism Assessment Program
Tourism / Funding
House Floor +
What it does: Establishes self-supported assessment program to fund statewide tourism promotion.
Why it's alive: On House floor for 2nd reading.
Outlook: 55% passage — low priority, may stall without leadership push.
SB 6061
Tourism Assessment (Senate)
Tourism / Funding
Senate Floor +
What it does: Senate companion to HB 2325; tourism assessment for statewide promotion.
Why it's alive: On Senate floor for 2nd reading.
Outlook: Low priority; may not get floor time.
HB 2489
Public Space Standards
Local Government
House Rules +
What it does: Establishes statewide standards for local enforcement of public space laws regarding life-sustaining activities.
Why it's alive: Passed policy committee; in House Rules.
Outlook: Uncertain — moderate priority, depends on floor scheduling.
All 14 Dead Bills Explained

These bills stalled in fiscal committees by the March 2 cutoff and are dead for the 2026 session:

DEAD
SB 6173 — Apple Health Employer Assessment
OneRedmond Active
Healthcare / Tax
No Action Feb 19 +
Would have assessed employers for Apple Health funding. Stuck in Senate Ways & Means; no action taken by cutoff. Critical priority for healthcare advocates but failed to move.
DEAD
SB 6229 — Small Business Stock Taxation (QSBS)
Tax / Startups
No Action Feb 19 +
Would have modified taxation of qualified small business stock. Important for startup ecosystem and VC community. Stuck in Senate Ways & Means with SB 6173.
DEAD
HB 2100 — Payroll Tax (Well Washington Fund)
Tax / Revenue
Stalled since Jan 22 +
Would have imposed excise tax on large employer payroll expenses to fund Well Washington Fund. Alternative revenue source to Millionaires Tax; stalled in House Finance with no action.
DEAD
SB 6093 — Payroll Tax (Senate Version)
Tax / Revenue
Stalled since Jan 13 +
Senate companion to HB 2100. Stuck in Senate Ways & Means since mid-January; no movement by fiscal cutoff.
DEAD
HB 2615 — Tax Amnesty Program
Tax / Compliance
No Action Feb 6 +
Would have created temporary tax amnesty period for voluntary disclosure. Opportunity for compliance issues; stalled in House Appropriations.
DEAD
HB 2270 — Lodging Tax Flexibility
Tax / Tourism
Stalled since Jan 12 +
Would have provided flexibility for lodging tax revenues in small cities. Relevant for hospitality; stalled in House Finance.
DEAD
HB 2736 — Estate Tax Rates
Tax
No Action Feb 20 +
Different approach to estate tax than SB 6347; stalled in House Finance. SB 6347 is the alive version.
DEAD
HB 2730 — Aerospace Tax Preferences
Economic Development
No Action after Feb 20 Hearing +
Would have clarified effectiveness metrics for aerospace tax incentives. Public hearing held Feb 20 but no executive action taken; missed cutoff.
DEAD
HB 1833 — AI Grant Program (Spark Act)
Technology / Innovation
Hearing Mar 25 (After Cutoff) +
Would have established AI grant program for innovation projects. Scheduled hearing March 25 — after March 2 fiscal cutoff; dead by timing.
DEAD
HB 2225 — AI Chatbot Regulation
Technology / Consumer Protection
No Action since Jan 14 +
Would have regulated AI companion chatbots with mental health safeguards. Stuck in Technology Committee since mid-January.
DEAD
HB 2446 — Quantum Technology Development
Technology / Economic Dev
No Action since Jan 20 +
Would have developed quantum tech into state's economic strategy. Emerging tech opportunity; stalled in Appropriations.
DEAD
HB 2480 — Residential Development
OneRedmond Active
Housing
No Action since Feb 3 +
Separate from SB 6026; different approach to residential development. Stalled in Local Government Committee.
DEAD
HB 1319 — Wealth Tax
Tax
No Action since Jan 15 +
Would have created wealth tax on financial assets. More aggressive than SB 6346; stalled in Finance since January.
DEAD
SB 6209 — Financial Aid for Private Institutions
Education
No Action since Jan 26 +
Would have expanded financial aid to private college students. Stuck in Senate Ways & Means; education funding bill that didn't advance.
📊 Understanding the Numbers

24 Tracked Bills: OneRedmond is monitoring 24 bills this session that affect Redmond businesses, taxes, housing, and economic development.

10 Alive (42%): These bills cleared the March 2 fiscal committee cutoff and can still pass. They passed fiscal committees and moved to Rules or Floor.

14 Dead (58%): These bills stalled in fiscal committees by the March 2 deadline. They're dead for this session but could return in 2027.

6-8 Expected Passage: Based on current position and probability forecasts, we expect 6-8 of the 10 alive bills to actually pass both chambers and reach the Governor's desk by Thursday's deadline.

For real-time bill tracking and probability forecasts, visit the Hoshi Political Dashboard.

Questions? Contact the OneRedmond Government Affairs team.

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