House Finance committee advances B&O tax cut for critical‑access pharmacies after amendment
March 07, 2026 | Legislative Sessions, Washington
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The House Finance Committee on Saturday reported engrossed Senate Bill 6228 out of committee with a ‘do pass as amended’ recommendation after approving amendment CRING 174, 8–6.
Christina King, staff to the committee, summarized that ESB 6228 would repeal the preferential business & occupation tax rate for warehousing and reselling prescription drugs and establish a preferential B&O rate for critical‑access pharmacies. The amendment offered by Representative Bridal (CRING 174) changes the preferential rate for critical‑access pharmacies from 0.25% to 0.138%.
Why it matters: Committee members said the change targets pharmacies that are the only local supplier in their communities and aims to preserve local pharmacy access while balancing revenue needs. Representative Rammell said testimony from affected pharmacies showed the original offset did not sufficiently cover losses and urged members to support the amendment.
Opponents voiced concern about the bill’s broader fiscal effects. Representative Orcutt said the amendment lowers the tax rate “for some of the taxpayers” and recommended a yes on the amendment, but elsewhere she and other opponents framed the overall package as a net tax increase that could fall on consumers or businesses.
The committee recorded the roll: Berg (aye); Street (aye); Orcutt (nay); Jacobson (nay); Abel (excused); Chase (nay); Mena (aye); Penner (nay); Rammell (aye); Santos (aye); Scott (aye); Springer (nay); Wallen (nay); Wiley (aye); Zahn (aye). Staff announced 8 ayes, 6 nays and 1 excused; the adopted amendment was ordered incorporated into the engrossed bill and the committee reported ESB 6228 out with a ‘do pass as amended’ recommendation.
What’s next: Reporting the bill out of committee advances it to the next floor or calendar step in the Legislature; the transcript did not record a floor vote or enactment schedule.
Sources: Committee briefing by Christina King, staff to the committee; amendment moved by Representative Bridal; motions and roll call recorded in committee proceedings.
Christina King, staff to the committee, summarized that ESB 6228 would repeal the preferential business & occupation tax rate for warehousing and reselling prescription drugs and establish a preferential B&O rate for critical‑access pharmacies. The amendment offered by Representative Bridal (CRING 174) changes the preferential rate for critical‑access pharmacies from 0.25% to 0.138%.
Why it matters: Committee members said the change targets pharmacies that are the only local supplier in their communities and aims to preserve local pharmacy access while balancing revenue needs. Representative Rammell said testimony from affected pharmacies showed the original offset did not sufficiently cover losses and urged members to support the amendment.
Opponents voiced concern about the bill’s broader fiscal effects. Representative Orcutt said the amendment lowers the tax rate “for some of the taxpayers” and recommended a yes on the amendment, but elsewhere she and other opponents framed the overall package as a net tax increase that could fall on consumers or businesses.
The committee recorded the roll: Berg (aye); Street (aye); Orcutt (nay); Jacobson (nay); Abel (excused); Chase (nay); Mena (aye); Penner (nay); Rammell (aye); Santos (aye); Scott (aye); Springer (nay); Wallen (nay); Wiley (aye); Zahn (aye). Staff announced 8 ayes, 6 nays and 1 excused; the adopted amendment was ordered incorporated into the engrossed bill and the committee reported ESB 6228 out with a ‘do pass as amended’ recommendation.
What’s next: Reporting the bill out of committee advances it to the next floor or calendar step in the Legislature; the transcript did not record a floor vote or enactment schedule.
Sources: Committee briefing by Christina King, staff to the committee; amendment moved by Representative Bridal; motions and roll call recorded in committee proceedings.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
