Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington SB5252: Assembly halls/property tax
Status: Signed into law, March 16, 2026
Removing the acreage limit on the property tax exemption for nonprofit public assembly halls and meeting places.
What the bill says
An act Relating to removing the acreage limit on the property tax exemption for nonprofit public assembly halls and meeting places; amending RCW 84.36.037; and creating new sections.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT Relating to removing the acreage limit on the property tax exemption for nonprofit public assembly halls and meeting places; amending RCW 84.36.037; and creating new sections. Sec. 1. RCW 84.36.037 and 2014 c 99 s 8 are each amended to read as follows: (1) Real or personal property owned by a nonprofit organization, association, or corporation in connection with the operation of a public assembly hall or meeting place is exempt from taxation. The area exempt under this section includes the building or buildings, the land under the buildings, and an additional area necessary for parking((, not exceeding a total of one acre)). When property for which exemption is sought is essentially unimproved except for restroom facilities and structures and this property has been used primarily for annual community celebration events for at least ((ten))10 years, the exempt property shall not exceed ((twenty-nine))29 acres. (2) To qualify for this exemption the property must be used exclusively for public gatherings and be available to all organizations or persons desiring to use the property, but the owner may impose conditions and restrictions which are necessary for the safekeeping of the property and promote the purposes of this exemption. Membership shall not be a prerequisite for the use of the property. (3) The use of the property for pecuniary gain or …
Sponsors
- Sharon Shewmake (D) · primary sponsor
- Mike Chapman (D)
- T'wina Nobles (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026.
- : Chapter 67, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : Speaker signed.
- : President signed.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
- : Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
- : Referred to Rules 2 Review.
Votes
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (March 5, 2026): 96 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Finance: Do pass (March 2, 2026): 15 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (January 21, 2026): 48 yea, 1 nay, passed
- House Committee on Finance: Do pass (April 4, 2025): 15 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (March 12, 2025): 47 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Ways & Means: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5252 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass (February 6, 2025): 23 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, TAX PREFERENCES - EXEMPTIONS, CREDITS, DEDUCTIONS, DEFERRALS, ETC.
Common questions
- What is SB5252?
- SB5252 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Assembly halls/property tax.
- What does SB5252 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to removing the acreage limit on the property tax exemption for nonprofit public assembly halls and meeting places; amending RCW 84.36.037; and creating new sections.
- What is the status of SB5252?
- Signed into law as of March 16, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 16, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB5252?
- Sharon Shewmake (D), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB5252?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5252&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.