Washington Votes

Establishes a statewide energy-assistance program that provides monetary assistance, discounts, and grants to reduce energy costs for low-income households.

Expands Washington's existing bans on "unlicensed" or "prohibited" firearm-manufacturing methods by adding definitions for "three-dimensional printers" and "digital firearm manufacturing code," and applies these restrictions to the use of digital files for producing firearm parts.

Imposes a flat 9.9% tax on all "Washington taxable income" exceeding $1 million per year, with revenue being redistributed to support K-12 education, healthcare, higher education, human services, and expansion of the working families' tax credit.

Replaces eligibility requirements for law-enforcement agencies, prosecuting attorneys' offices, and other government positions with broad language allowing the employment of any person "legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law."

Requires health insurers to cover all Food and Drug Administration-approved HIV antiviral drugs without prior authorization, step therapy, or any other utilization management protocols in health plans.

Requires state-registered apprenticeship programs in the building and construction trades to provide apprentices with at least two hours of behavioral-health-and-wellness training.

Eliminates 20 tax exemptions, including those for in-state hauling and gold-bullion sales.

Aims to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions from hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by phasing out high-global-warming-potential (GWP) HFCs in stationary-refrigeration and air-conditioning systems.

Requires anyone in Washington wanting to purchase a firearm to obtain a five‑year state permit from the Washington State Patrol.

Increases per-student funding for school-district materials and operations, consolidates funding into a flexible lump sum, and adds annual inflation adjustments starting in 2026-27.

Rescinds prior applications for an Article V constitutional convention to propose amendments to the Constitution of the United States.

Authorizes a pilot program permitting the use of automated vehicle noise enforcement cameras in designated zones in cities with at least 2,000 residents.

Expands automated traffic camera use for violations such as speeding and red-light running. Key changes include permanent authorization for large cities, speed enforcement in work zones, and reduced fines for low-income violators.

Links Washington's carbon market with California and Quebec, expanding the cap-and-invest program to reduce emissions, regulate compliance, and stabilize allowance costs.

Grants the secretary of health and his designees the authority to issue standing orders or prescriptions for medications, vaccines, and medical devices to address public-health threats, such as diseases or emergencies.

Strengthens firearm bans for individuals with mental health issues.

Directs the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to support refugees and immigrants in Washington by managing the Refugee Resettlement Plan, offering services such as cash, medical assistance, employment help, and English instruction.

Requires new state entities to include three members from "underrepresented populations," report on diversity and impacts, and undergo annual Office of Equity reviews to enhance "inclusivity" and "reduce barriers."

Imposes strict regulations on assault weapons, defining them as specific types of firearms with particular features.

Requires the Washington Department of Ecology to update its Climate Change Response Strategy.

Explores alternatives to boosting aviation capacity, investigates aviation facility expansion and site options, involves stakeholders, and addresses environmental and military concerns.

Forces insurance carriers to offer access to certified peer specialist services meeting network standards and sets standards for certification.

Automatically registers enhanced driver's license or identicard applicants to vote.

Provides that all qualified personal property used for generating renewable energy owned by eligible taxpayers will be exempt from Washington state property taxes.

Mandates "diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and antiracism" training and assessments for faculty, staff, and students at public institutions of higher education, with the purpose of "eliminating structural racism."

Establishes the Universal Health Care Commission to prepare Washington for the creation of a state and federally-funded universal health care system.

Prohibits the open carry of firearms or any weapons at public demonstrations and the state capitol, whether the person carries the weapon on their person or in a vehicle.

Prohibits health care entities from restricting a health care provider's provision of services related to complications of pregnancy, including, but not limited to, "miscarriage management" and treatment of ectopic pregnancies.

Appropriates approximately $2.2 billion in federal COVID-19 funding for Medicaid in K-12 public schools, COVID-19 vaccines, housing assistance, business grants, immigration, welfare, and food programs.

Extends several of the COVID-19 State of Emergency orders issued by the Governor since February 29, 2020.