Washington Lawmakers Wrap Up 2026 Legislative Session

State legislature approves income tax on high earners, finalizes budget bills before adjourning.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 5:03pm

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As the 60-day 2026 Washington state legislative session comes to a close, lawmakers in Olympia are working to approve final budget bills and other key legislation before adjourning sine die. The Senate has given final approval to a bill that would apply a new income tax on household earnings above $1 million per year, which is headed to the governor's desk. Democratic leaders in the House and Senate have also released consensus operating and transportation budget bills, reconciling differences between the two chambers' earlier proposals.

Why it matters

The conclusion of the legislative session marks a major milestone for state politics, as lawmakers finalize the state's spending plans and enact new policies that will impact Washingtonians across the state. The income tax bill in particular has been a contentious issue, reflecting ongoing debates around taxation and wealth inequality.

The details

In the final hours before adjourning, state lawmakers are rushing to approve operating, transportation, and capital budgets, as well as tie up other loose ends with legislation. The Senate has given final approval to a bill that would apply a new state income tax on household earnings above $1 million per year, sending it to Governor Bob Ferguson who has indicated he will sign it into law.

  • The 60-day 2026 Washington state legislative session is set to adjourn sine die on March 12, 2026.
  • The Senate approved the income tax bill on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
  • Democratic leaders in the House and Senate released their consensus budget bills on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.

The players

Bob Ferguson

The Governor of Washington state, who has indicated he will sign the income tax bill into law.

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The takeaway

As the 2026 legislative session comes to a close, Washington state lawmakers have tackled major issues like taxation and state budgets, setting the stage for the next phase of policymaking in the state.