Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB1983: Timberland definition/REET
Status: Signed into law, March 24, 2026
Amending the definition of timberland for purposes of determining the real estate excise tax for a governmental entity.
What the bill says
An act Relating to the definition of timberland for the purposes of determining the real estate excise tax for a governmental entity; and amending RCW 82.45.060.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT Relating to the definition of timberland for the purposes of determining the real estate excise tax for a governmental entity; and amending RCW 82.45.060. Sec. 1. RCW 82.45.060 and 2019 c 424 s 1 are each amended to read as follows: (1) There is imposed an excise tax upon each sale of real property. (a) Through December 31, 2019, the rate of the tax imposed under this section is 1.28 percent of the selling price. (b) Beginning January 1, 2020, except as provided in (c) of this subsection, the rate of the tax imposed under this section is as (ii) 1.28 percent of the portion of the selling price that is greater than five hundred thousand dollars and equal to or less than one million five hundred thousand dollars; (iii) 2.75 percent of the portion of the selling price that is greater than one million five hundred thousand dollars and equal to or less than three million dollars; (iv) Three percent of the portion of the selling price that is greater than three million dollars. (c) The sale of real property that is classified as timberland or agricultural land is subject to the tax imposed under this section at a rate of 1.28 percent of the selling price. (2) Beginning July 1, 2022, and every fourth year thereafter: …
Sponsors
- Steve Tharinger (D) · primary sponsor
- Adam Bernbaum (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026.
- : Chapter 171, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : President signed.
- : Speaker signed.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
- : Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
- : Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Votes
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (March 6, 2026): 30 yea, 19 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Ways & Means: Do pass (March 2, 2026): 15 yea, 5 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 12, 2026): 68 yea, 26 nay, passed
- House Committee on Finance: Do pass (February 6, 2026): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Finance: Do pass (February 18, 2025): 14 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: TAXES - EXCISE, FORESTS AND FOREST PRODUCTS
Common questions
- What is HB1983?
- HB1983 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Timberland definition/REET.
- What does HB1983 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to the definition of timberland for the purposes of determining the real estate excise tax for a governmental entity; and amending RCW 82.45.060.
- What is the status of HB1983?
- Signed into law as of March 24, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 24, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1983?
- Steve Tharinger (D), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB1983?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1983&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.