| Momentum Bucket | Viable |
| Legal Title | AN ACT Relating to budget stabilization account transfers; |
| Bill Description | Concerning budget stabilization account transfers. |
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What this bill does
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Creates a new statutory section in chapter 43.79 RCW that directs specified transfers between the budget stabilization account and the state general fund. The law requires the state treasurer to transfer $1,632,500,000 from the budget stabilization account to the state general fund by June 15, 2026, and requires the state treasurer to transfer $816,250,000 from the state general fund back to the budget stabilization account on June 30, 2028, and another $816,250,000 on June 30, 2029, to repay the initial transfer. Legislative findings state the transfers are intended to support state services in fiscal year 2026 because additional fiscal resources are required to maintain critical services.
This is a new fiscal/administrative statutory provision directing one-time and scheduled transfers; it is a procedural change governing state fund movements rather than a change to criminal law, penalties, or program eligibility. The bill also states that, for purposes of RCW 43.88.055(4), these transfers do not alter the requirement to balance in ensuing biennia.
The bill identifies the state treasurer as responsible for making the transfers and names the budget stabilization account, state general fund, and Office of Financial Management (as requester) and state services (health, general welfare, public safety) as affected. The text does not specify the new section number in chapter 43.79 RCW, does not redefine statutory terms such as the budget stabilization account or state general fund, and does not provide the text or practical effect of RCW 43.88.055(4), so the full implications for biennial balancing cannot be assessed from the provided material.
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Why it matters
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If enacted, the state treasurer must transfer $1,632,500,000 from the budget stabilization account into the state general fund by June 15, 2026, giving the general fund a one-time cash boost intended to keep health, welfare, and public safety services funded in fiscal year 2026. The treasurer must then move back two equal repayments of $816,250,000 from the general fund to the budget stabilization account on June 30, 2028 and June 30, 2029, so the account is restored by the end of fiscal year 2029.
Practically, agencies and programs relying on the general fund are likely to have more money available in FY2026, while the budget stabilization account will be smaller until the scheduled repayments. The state treasurer is responsible for carrying out the transfers and the general fund will need to plan to make the two large repayments in 2028 and 2029, which could affect budget choices in those years. The bill leaves out the new section number, definitions, and any implementing or appropriation details, and the exact implications of the cited balancing requirement in RCW 43.88.055(4) cannot be assessed from the provided text.
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| Official Documents | View Full Bill Text |
| Date Introduced | 01/21/2025 |
| Originating Chamber | House |
| Biennium | 2025-26 |
| Total Campaign Dollars Backing Bill | $519,391.34 |
| BUDGETS |
| PUBLIC FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS |
| Representative Ormsby (Primary) |