HJR 4206
In CommitteeHouse
2/3rd vote for tax increases
Amending the Constitution to require a two-thirds majority vote of the legislature to raise taxes.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds supermajority vote in both legislative chambers to pass any tax increase, and allows voters to refer such proposals to the ballot. It would apply to any state tax revenue increase, regardless of which fund the money goes into.
- Requires a two-thirds vote in both the Washington House and Senate to pass any legislation that results in a net increase in state tax revenue.
- Defines "raises taxes" as any legislative action that increases state tax revenue deposited into any state fund, budget, or account — not just the general fund.
- Allows tax-increase proposals to be referred to voters via initiative, per existing constitutional referendum powers.
- Requires the Secretary of State to publish notice of the proposed constitutional amendment in every legal newspaper in the state for four weeks before the election.
- Proposes a constitutional amendment to Article II, Section __ of the Washington Constitution.
Who is affected
- Washington State Legislators — Legislators would need a supermajority (2/3 vote in both chambers) to pass any bill or package of bills that results in higher state tax revenue, making it harder to raise taxes without bipartisan support.
- Washington State Voters — Voters would gain the ability to refer tax-increase proposals to the ballot via initiative, and would ultimately decide on constitutional changes to tax rules at the ballot box.
- State and Local Government Agencies — State and local governments could see changes in how tax policies are developed and approved, potentially limiting new or increased revenue sources for state and local services.
- Washington Residents and Businesses — Businesses and residents could be affected if tax increases become less likely, potentially impacting state revenue available for education, transportation, and other public services.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for concerns
Potential Benefits (3)
Enhances direct democratic control over tax policy by allowing voters to initiate or reject tax increases, reinforcing constitutional principles of popular sovereignty and fiscal accountability.
Rights & LibertiesRef: Pursuant to the referendum power set forth in Article II, section 1(b) of this Constitution, tax increases may be referred to the voters for their approval or rejection at an election.May reduce regulatory uncertainty for businesses by making tax increases less likely, potentially encouraging investment and long-term planning—though this assumes stable revenue needs and no major infrastructure or service gaps emerge.
Business & EmploymentRef: Any action or combination of actions by the legislature that raises taxes may be taken only if approved by at least a two-thirds vote of both the house of representatives and the senate.Could incentivize local governments to pursue alternative revenue sources (e.g., utility rates, impact fees, local levies) that may be more responsive to community needs and less dependent on state legislative approval.
Local GovernmentRef: For the purposes of this subsection, 'raises taxes' means any action or combination of actions by the state legislature that increases state tax revenue deposited in any fund, budget, or account, regardless of whether the revenues are deposited into the general fund.
Potential Concerns (5)
Reduced legislative flexibility to fund public safety programs (e.g., police, fire, emergency response) through targeted tax increases could lead to underfunding of critical services, especially during budget shortfalls or emerging public safety crises.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Article II, section . . .. Any action or combination of actions by the legislature that raises taxes may be taken only if approved by at least a two-thirds vote of both the house of representatives and the senate.Difficulty in passing targeted tax increases could constrain state investment in K–12 and higher education, especially for programs funded through dedicated revenue streams (e.g., capital levies, transportation fees for community colleges), disproportionately affecting low-income and rural school districts that rely more heavily on state funding.
EducationPeopleRef: For the purposes of this subsection, 'raises taxes' means any action or combination of actions by the state legislature that increases state tax revenue deposited in any fund, budget, or account, regardless of whether the revenues are deposited into the general fund.Local governments may face increased administrative and legal costs when attempting to pass local tax measures (e.g., school levies, utility rates) that are now subject to heightened constitutional scrutiny and potential voter reversal, even if they meet current statutory thresholds.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Pursuant to the referendum power set forth in Article II, section 1(b) of this Constitution, tax increases may be referred to the voters for their approval or rejection at an election.Inability to easily pass housing-specific revenue measures (e.g., real estate excise tax increases, local housing levies) could reduce funding for affordable housing programs, especially in high-cost urban areas, worsening the state’s housing shortage over time.
HousingLean peopleRef: Any action or combination of actions by the legislature that raises taxes may be taken only if approved by at least a two-thirds vote of both the house of representatives and the senate.Transportation infrastructure maintenance and expansion (e.g., road, bridge, ferry systems) could suffer if dedicated transportation funding mechanisms (e.g., fuel tax adjustments, vehicle fees) require a two-thirds legislative vote, potentially increasing long-term costs for commuters and businesses due to deteriorating infrastructure.
TransportationLean peopleRef: For the purposes of this subsection, 'raises taxes' means any action or combination of actions by the state legislature that increases state tax revenue deposited in any fund, budget, or account, regardless of whether the revenues are deposited into the general fund.
Who Is Most Affected
Low- and middle-income families may face reduced access to public services (education, transportation, housing assistance) if tax increases become politically unviable, even during economic downturns or emergencies.
State legislators would face higher procedural barriers to passing tax legislation, potentially reducing their ability to respond flexibly to fiscal challenges or emerging needs—though it may also reduce pressure from special interest lobbying.
Local governments (especially in high-cost urban areas) may struggle to fund affordable housing, transit, and schools without state-level tax flexibility, increasing reliance on local voter-approved measures that face higher constitutional scrutiny.
Wealthy individuals and large corporations may benefit indirectly if reduced tax capacity leads to lower overall state revenue, potentially limiting future progressive tax reforms—but this effect is uncertain and depends on future legislative behavior.
Voters gain formal referendum power over tax increases, reinforcing democratic participation—but may also face more frequent ballot measures and potentially contradictory outcomes if initiatives conflict with fiscal realities.