Bill > HB1805

This bill creates an optional local sales and use tax at a rate of up to 0.01% that counties can choose to implement to fund additional services for children and families. The bill's legislative findings emphasize the importance of early intervention in addressing mental health challenges, service gaps, and potential social issues like youth violence and substance abuse. The tax would be collected in addition to existing state sales and use taxes and can only be used for specific purposes including child care, maternity support services, school-based health services, workforce capacity building, shelter, rental assistance, and client transportation. The bill recognizes that current funding sources like Medicaid and county behavioral health programs do not fully address the comprehensive needs of children and families, and aims to provide local jurisdictions with a mechanism to generate additional resources for targeted supportive services. By enabling counties to implement this small sales tax increment, the legislation seeks to support early interventions that could potentially reduce long-term social and health challenges.

Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1805&Year=2025&Initiative=false