Millionaires Tax clears House after marathon debate

Washington is one step closer to a “historic reshaping of our archaic tax code to better serve Washingtonians”

OLYMPIA, WA (March 11, 2026) — After more than 24 hours of debate, 80 proposed amendments, and countless floor speeches, SB 6346 — the Millionaires Tax — passed the State House on Tuesday evening. A 9.9% tax on annual earnings over $1,000,000, the Millionaires Tax will provide billions in new revenue to fund health care, childhood nutrition, child care, and education while cutting sales tax on many household essentials and expanding tax relief for working families.

Democrat Reps. Bronoske (D-Lakewood), Morgan (D-Spanaway), Reeves (D-Federal Way), Richards (D-Kitsap), Rule (D-Blaine), Shavers (D-Clinton), Timmons (D-Bellingham), and Walen (D-Kirkland) joined all Republicans in voting no.

“Washington’s labor movement thanks the Representatives who stood strong through more than 24 hours of floor debate to advance the Millionaires Tax, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to tax the highest paid individuals in this state and stop balancing the state budget on the backs of working families,” said Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO President April Sims. “Special thanks to Speaker Laurie Jinkins, bill sponsor Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, and House Finance Chair Rep. April Berg for their tireless leadership advancing this historic reshaping of our archaic tax code to better serve Washingtonians.”

Working people across Washington celebrated progress for tax policy that will bring in progressive revenue to fund essential services for working families, like healthcare.

“As the primary caregiver for a son with neurodevelopmental disabilities, I’m thrilled Washington’s Millionaires Tax will provide both relief for struggling families and healthcare support for those who need it most,” said caregiver Gwen Goodfellow of Longview. “We live in one of the wealthiest states in the U.S., there’s no good reason why I and my neighbors should be paying a higher tax rate than the billionaires a few zip codes away.”

As passed the House, SB 6346 eliminates sales tax on over the counter medication, diapers, hygiene and grooming products and significantly expands access to the Working Families Tax Credit, putting money back into working peoples’ pockets.

“When I received the Working Families Tax Credit, it was not a bonus. It was stabilization. It allowed me to catch up on bills, avoid falling further behind, and create a small amount of breathing room in a system where one unexpected expense can spiral into crisis,” said Amy Roark of Clark County and a former member of the Poverty Reduction Work Group Steering Committee. “The credit recognizes that low-income working families like me pay a disproportionate share of their income in taxes in Washington. It is one of the few tools that directly puts money back into our hands, money we immediately spend in our local communities on rent, utilities, food, transportation, and our children’s needs.”

SB 6346 also dedicates 5% of revenue from the Millionaires Tax to fund child care for working families, welcome news to parents and providers.

“As a nonprofit child care provider in Skamania County, Working Connections Child Care is the reason that the families I serve are able to attend our programs. 30% of kids under 5 live at or below the federal poverty level in my area,” aid Tiffany Pearsall, Founder of Play Frontier Center for Child Development in Carson. “Without this lifeline, kids would lose out on critical early development opportunities and parents would not be able to go to work. I appreciate that the legislature and the Governor recognize how important this program is and have dedicated a portion of the Millionaires Tax revenue toward funding it.”

SB 6346 now moves back to the Senate for agreement from that body before making it’s way to the Governor’s desk for signature. The legislative session is slated to end tomorrow, March 12.