Washington HB2297: Grocery store incentives

What the bill says

An act Relating to incentivizing grocery stores located in underserved communities; amending RCW 35.102.040 and 35.21.710; adding a new section to chapter 82.08 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 82.12 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 82.04 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 84 RCW; creating new sections; providing an effective date; and providing expiration dates. NEW SECTION.

From the introduced text:

AN ACT Relating to incentivizing grocery stores located in underserved communities; amending RCW 35.102.040 and 35.21.710; adding a new section to chapter 82.08 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 82.12 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 82.04 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 84 RCW; creating new sections; providing an effective date; and providing expiration dates. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally relevant food is essential to health, economic stability, and community well-being. Yet many Washington residents, particularly low-income households, communities of color, rural residents, immigrants and refugees, and people with limited transportation options continue to face barriers to food access due to store closures, uneven infrastructure, and long-standing patterns of disinvestment. (2) It is the intent of the legislature to provide locally controlled tools to preserve existing grocery stores and support the development and retention of grocery stores in underserved communities where market forces alone have not met community needs. By reducing structural cost barriers, this act is intended to strengthen community-serving food retailers and support local jobs and neighborhood stability. The legislature further intends that these incentives be implemented in a manner responsive to local conditions and as part of a broader effort to promote health equity, economic justice, and long-term community stability. PART I Sec. 101. …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Darya Farivar (D) · primary sponsor
• Sharlett Mena (D)
• Liz Berry (D)
• Lisa Parshley (D)
• Cindy Ryu (D)
• Steve Tharinger (D)
• Kristine Reeves (D)
• Julia Reed (D)
• Julio Cortes (D)
• Chipalo Street (D)
• Shelley Kloba (D)
• Shaun Scott (D)

Latest actions

1. February 19, 2026: Returned to Rules Committee for second reading.
2. February 11, 2026: Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
3. February 9, 2026: Referred to Rules 2 Review.
4. February 9, 2026: Minority; without recommendation.
5. February 9, 2026: FIN - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
6. February 9, 2026: Executive action taken in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00 AM.
7. January 30, 2026: Public hearing in the House Committee on Finance at 1:30 PM.
8. January 12, 2026: First reading, referred to Finance.
9. January 7, 2026: Prefiled for introduction.

Votes

• House Committee on Finance: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (February 9, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB2297?

HB2297 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Grocery store incentives.

What does HB2297 do?

In its own words: An act Relating to incentivizing grocery stores located in underserved communities; amending RCW 35.102.040 and 35.21.710; adding a new section to chapter 82.08 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 82.12 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 82.04 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 84 RCW; creating new sections; providing an effective date; and providing expiration dates. NEW SECTION.

What is the status of HB2297?

In committee as of February 19, 2026. Latest action: Returned to Rules Committee for second reading. (February 19, 2026).

Who sponsored HB2297?

Darya Farivar (D), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB2297?

On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2297&Year=2025