Two bills that would provide additional funding options for city services have moved out of their respective committees. HB 1025, from Rep. Emily Wicks (D–Everett), which provides authority for a voter-approved one-tenth percent sales tax to fund parks, passed out of the House Finance Committee on January 27. HB 1811, from Mike Sells (D–Everett), which provides cities authority for a voter-approved fire benefit fee to fund fire services, passed out of the House Local Government Committee on January 28.

HB 1025 now needs to pass through the Rules Committee and go before the full House for a vote prior to the February 15 cutoff deadline for bills to pass their house of origin.

HB 1811 will likely be referred next to the House Finance Committee where it will need to be heard and passed out of committee prior to February 8, the deadline for bills to pass fiscal committees before moving on to the Rules Committee and possible floor action.

AWC supports both local option funding bills.