Bill > SB6218

This bill, known as the RECOURSE Act, directs the state of Washington to withhold payments to the federal government if federal funding is withheld from the state due to a valid Washington state law that hasn't been overturned by a court. The State Treasurer will report any withheld federal funds and projected state payments to the federal government to the legislature and publish this information online. The Director of the Office of Financial Management, in consultation with the Treasurer, will then instruct state agencies to withhold payments to the federal government, prioritizing agencies directly affected by the federal funding cut and then payments related to management staff. These withheld payments will be placed in a special escrow account, the RECOURSE act escrow account, managed by the State Treasurer, and can only be spent based on court rulings regarding the validity of the state law that caused the federal funding to be withheld. If a court upholds the state law, the withheld funds will be sent to the federal government once the state receives the originally withheld federal funds; if the court strikes down the state law, the withheld funds will be sent to the federal government as soon as possible. This act is declared an emergency measure, taking effect immediately.

Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6218&Year=2025&Initiative=false