On February 29, the House passed SB 5897 which shortens the notice required for business license rate changes for cities that participate in the state’s Business Licensing Service (BLS). The required notice to BLS will be 10 days before the effective date of the change, instead of 75 days. The bill will now be sent to the Governor for signature.

Business license rate change notice heard in House

February 16, 2024

The bill to shorten the notice required for business license rate changes to take effect (SB 5897) was heard in the House Finance Committee on February 15. The companion bill HB 1894 did not pass out of the House before the floor cutoff deadline.

Senate passes bill to provide flexibility for business license rate changes

February 9, 2024

The Senate passed the Department of Revenue’s request bill to shorten the notice required for city business license rate changes (SB 5897) on February 8. The notice would decrease to 10 days before the effective date of the change, instead of the current requirement of 75 days. This will give more flexibility to the more than 200 cities that participate in the state’s Business Licensing Service to administer local licenses.

Shortening required notice for business license rate changes

February 2, 2024

Both bills have now moved out of their respective committees and await further action by the Rules Committee to move them to the floor calendars for a vote in the House and Senate. The shortened notice timeframe for cities partnering in the state’s Business Licensing Service will provide additional flexibility for business license rate changes cities might make as part of their local budget process.

Shortening required notice for business license rate changes

January 12, 2024

More than 200 cities that participate in the state’s Business Licensing Service (BLS) to administer local licenses would have more flexibility in notice to the Department of Revenue before business license rate changes can take effect. Currently, changes to city business licenses administered by BLS require 75 days’ notice before they can take effect. HB 1894 and SB 5897, sponsored by Rep. Amy Walen (D–Kirkland) and Sen. Mark Mullet (D–Issaquah), would shorten the time period for business license rate changes to 10 days' notice to BLS before the effective date of the change. Other changes to city license provisions would still require 75 days' notice.

Dates to remember

HB 1894 is scheduled for public hearing in the House Finance Committee on Tuesday, January 16 at 1:30 pm.

SB 5897 is scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Ways & Means Committee on Tuesday, January 16 at 4 pm.