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WashingtonSB 61492025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Concerning the definition of "rural county" for purposes of public facilities funding.

Sponsored By: Jeff Wilson (Republican)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More counties qualify for rural funding

The law updates who counts as a rural county for public facilities funding under chapter 43.160 RCW. A county qualifies if it has under 100 people per square mile; or, if at 100 or more, has no city over 45,000; or is under 225 square miles. It also defines a frontier county as fewer than 50 people per square mile, with “frontier one” at 21 or fewer and “frontier two” at more than 21 but under 50. Every frontier county also counts as a rural county and can use rural programs unless a law clearly excludes it. The Office of Financial Management sets these statuses, and Commerce publishes the list each year.

More counties qualify for rural sales tax

The law sets who counts as a rural county for the local sales and use tax in RCW 82.14.370. A county qualifies if it has under 100 people per square mile; or, if at 100 or more, has no city over 45,000; or is under 225 square miles. The Office of Financial Management determines this status so counties can use the rural sales tax tool for economic development projects.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jeff Wilson

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Mike Chapman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Perry Dozier

    Republican • Senate

  • Shelly Short

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 141 • No: 2

House vote • 3/3/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 93 • No: 1 • Other: 4

Senate vote • 2/16/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 48 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/14/2026Senate

  2. Chapter 42, 2026 Laws.

    3/14/2026Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    3/14/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/10/2026legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    3/5/2026legislature

  6. President signed.

    3/4/2026legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 93; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 4.

    3/3/2026Senate

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/3/2026Senate

  9. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    3/2/2026Senate

  10. TEDV - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/25/2026Senate

  11. TEDV - Majority; do pass.

    2/25/2026Senate

  12. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/25/2026Senate

  13. First reading, referred to Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans.

    2/17/2026Senate

  14. Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    2/16/2026Senate

  15. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/16/2026Senate

  16. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/16/2026Senate

  17. Placed on second reading consent calendar.

    2/6/2026Senate

  18. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/4/2026Senate

  19. BTE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/4/2026Senate

  20. First reading, referred to Business, Trade & Economic Development.

    1/14/2026Senate

  21. Introduced

    1/14/2026Senate

Bill Text

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