Bill > SB5939

This bill creates the Washington is Simply Unaffordable Fund, a new state fund designed to help lower-income residents relocate out of Washington state due to increasing living costs. Specifically, the fund will provide reimbursement for moving expenses to residents who earn less than 300 percent of the federal poverty level, with certain conditions: claimants must attest that the primary reason for moving is Washington's unaffordability, and they must move to a state that ranks higher on the "relative value of $100" metric in the annual economic climate report. The legislature acknowledges that policies enacted in the past decade have made Washington increasingly expensive, particularly impacting working-class individuals and families, with core necessities like food, gas, and housing being among the most costly in the country. The bill includes an initial appropriation of $7,000,000 from the general fund to be deposited into this new fund, with the money available for use by June 30, 2027. The intent is to provide financial assistance to residents who find the state's cost of living prohibitively high and wish to relocate to a more affordable state.

Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5939&Year=2025&Initiative=false