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HJR4206 • 2026

2/3rd vote for tax increases

Amending the Constitution to require a two-thirds majority vote of the legislature to raise taxes.

Taxes
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Representative Couture, Representative Dufault, Representative Barnard, Representative Stuebe
Last action
2026-01-12
Official status
H Finance
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

2/3rd vote for tax increases

2/3rd vote for tax increases

What This Bill Does

  • 2/3rd vote for tax increases

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-01-12 House

    By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

Official Summary Text

2/3rd vote for tax increases

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 1
STATE OF WASHINGTON, IN LEGISLATIVE SESSION ASSEMBLED:2
THAT, At the next general election to be held in this state the 3
secretary of state must submit to the qualified voters of the state 4
for their approval and ratification, or rejection, an amendment to 5
Article II of the Constitution of the state of Washington by adding a 6
new section to read as follows: 7
Article II, section . . .. Any action or combination of actions 8
by the legislature that raises taxes may be taken only if approved by 9
at least a two-thirds vote of both the house of representatives and 10
the senate. Pursuant to the referendum power set forth in Article II, 11
section 1 (b) of this Constitution, tax increases may be referred to 12
the voters for their approval or rejection at an election. For the 13
purposes of this subsection, "raises taxes" means any action or 14
combination of actions by the state legislature that increases state 15
tax revenue deposited in any fund, budget, or account, regardless of 16
whether the revenues are deposited into the general fund.17
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the secretary of state must cause 18
notice of this constitutional amendment to be published at least four 19
H-1961.1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 4206
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Couture, Dufault, Barnard, and Stuebe
Read first time 03/25/25. Referred to Committee on Finance.
p. 1 HJR 4206
times during the four weeks next preceding the election in every 1
legal newspaper in the state. 2
--- END ---
p. 2 HJR 4206