WashingtonLaw defines which counties qualify as rural for facilities funding
Washington counties with at least 100 people per square mile qualify as rural for public facilities funding if no city has more than 45,000 residents.
What it does
Counties qualify as rural with fewer than 100 people per square mile or an area under 225 square miles. Counties with at least 100 people per square mile also qualify if no city exceeds 45,000 residents.
Argument forRural funding eligibility could help counties with small cities support roads, utilities, and other projects that create or retain jobs.
Argument againstWhen eligible counties use the tax option, they could leave less state sales tax money for statewide needs.
More detail
The law defines which counties count as rural for public facilities funding. These definitions cover Community Economic Revitalization Board funding and the county tax funding program for public facilities and local development. A county qualifies with fewer than 100 people per square mile. A county with at least 100 people per square mile qualifies if no city has more than 45,000 residents. A county also qualifies if its area is less than 225 square miles. Washington's Office of Financial Management determines whether counties meet these tests. The law took effect June 11, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 14Effective date 6/11/2026.Latest
- Mar 14Chapter 42, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 14Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 10Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 5Speaker signed.Passed House
- Mar 4President signed.Passed Senate
- Mar 3Third reading, passed; yeas, 93; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 4.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#15). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 3Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 2Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Feb 25Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Feb 25TEDV - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Feb 25Executive action taken in the House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans at 8:00 AM.
- Feb 24Public hearing in the House Committee on Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 17First reading, referred to Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans.Minor
- Feb 16Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 0.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#5). Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 16Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 161st substitute bill substituted (BTE 26).Major
- Feb 6Placed on second reading consent calendar.Minor
- Feb 4Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Feb 4BTE - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Feb 4Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Business, Trade & Economic Development at 8:00 AM.
- Jan 28Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Business, Trade & Economic Development at 8:00 AM.
- Jan 14First reading, referred to Business, Trade & Economic Development.Introduced
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