Late-Session Democrat Proposal Would Bar Corporations From Ballot Campaign Spending

The bill aimed to revoke corporate powers for engaging in ballot measure or election activity.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 10:05pm

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A bill introduced in the final days of the Washington state legislative session would have barred corporations from participating in ballot measure campaigns or election activity and penalized them if they did. The proposal sought to revoke corporate powers granted under state law if they engaged in such activities, which critics said would have sweeping consequences for businesses, trade associations, nonprofits, and political groups.

Why it matters

The bill was seen by critics as part of a broader effort by Democrats to make it harder to challenge legislation at the ballot box and threaten those that do, particularly in relation to a proposed high-earner income tax that includes a necessity clause limiting the ability to subject it to a referendum.

The details

Senate Bill 6358, sponsored by Sen. Bob Hasegawa (D-Tukwila), proposed changes to state law that would revoke powers previously granted to corporations under Washington law if they engaged in ballot measure or election activity. The measure would apply broadly to entities created under Washington law, including corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and nonprofits. Critics said the bill would have had sweeping consequences for businesses, trade associations, nonprofit organizations, and political groups involved in initiative campaigns, as entities that spent money to support or oppose ballot measures or influence elections could risk losing their legal protections under state law.

  • The bill was introduced on Monday in the final days of the Washington state legislative session.
  • The legislative session was scheduled to end in just 4 days.

The players

Sen. Bob Hasegawa

A Democratic state senator from Tukwila, Washington who sponsored the bill.

Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen

The Democratic leader of the Washington state Senate who said the bill was already dead.

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What they’re saying

“Literally, changing the game. This is "we don't like that you might win the game, so we are changing the rules." A direct attack to shut down Let's Go Washington and others funding…”

— Julie Barrett

“Dems want to take the heat off the income tax, so they issue something like this that is crazy, hoping we jump on it. Hold the line. Stay the course”

— Ari Hoffman

What’s next

The bill was already declared dead by Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen, but its introduction added to concerns among opponents of Democratic tax legislation that majority lawmakers were considering additional ways to shield major proposals from voter challenge.

The takeaway

This proposal was seen as part of a broader effort by Washington state Democrats to make it more difficult for the public to challenge legislation at the ballot box, particularly in relation to a proposed high-earner income tax that includes provisions to limit the ability to subject it to a referendum.