WA House and Senate release supplemental capital budget proposals
Feb 23, 2026, 2:41 PM | Updated: 3:40 pm
In this aerial view from a drone, the Washington State Capitol is seen. (Photo: David Ryder, Getty Images)
(Photo: David Ryder, Getty Images)
The Washington State House and Senate have both released their supplemental capital budget proposals.
Lawmakers in the Washington House released a proposed $910 million supplemental capital budget proposal on Monday.
The Senate’s budget is worth $723 million.
$400 million of House proposal comes from bonds
Nearly $400 million of the House proposal would come from state bonds, according to a release from Washington House Republicans.
“It is funded through a variety of funding sources, including general obligation bonds, dedicated cash accounts, federal funds, and alternative financing contracts,” the release stated.
“The supplemental capital budget makes changes to the state’s long-term investments in the biennial capital budget,” the release continued. “It allows lawmakers to adjust funding for construction and infrastructure projects such as schools, housing, water systems, parks, and public buildings. The spending plan may also address emerging issues and respond to feedback from administering agencies.”
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Bipartisan House budget focuses on schools, housing, clean energy, salmon recovery
Lead negotiator Rep. Mike Steele (R-Chelan) said the bipartisan plan focuses on urgent statewide needs, including modernizing small school districts, improving seismic safety, expanding affordable housing, and supporting clean‑energy and salmon‑recovery projects.
The budget calls for $77.8 million for K–12 school construction projects, $246.1 million for housing, $43 million for energy, and $65.3 million for natural resources.
“Each year, this budget demonstrates bipartisan cooperation is achievable as negotiators work together to reach agreement on the priorities of Washingtonians in all corners of the state,” Steele said. “Investing in our communities is critical, even in a supplemental year. The needs of our communities do not change — schools, mental health, housing, natural resource issues, and other emerging needs.”
Democrats on the committee echoed the emphasis on collaboration and long-term investment.
“This budget creates good jobs today while building a better future for generations,” Rep. Lisa Callan (D-Issaquah), acting chair of the House Capital Budget Committee, said. “I want to thank all the lawmakers on the committee, from both parties and around the state, for their collaboration to craft this budget.”
A public hearing on the House’s measure is scheduled for Tuesday, with a committee vote expected Thursday morning.
State Senate releases its supplemental capital budget as well
The Washington State Senate announced its supplemental capital budget Monday as well, which is worth $723 million.
“The state’s capital budget funds construction and maintenance of infrastructure around the state, and this proposal is a follow-up to the $7.5 billion 2025-27 capital budget passed unanimously by the Legislature last year,” a news release from the Washington State Senate stated.
Democratic leaders emphasized the budget’s statewide reach and bipartisan roots.
“Our approach to the capital budget has always been rooted in bipartisan collaboration that recognizes the diversity of our state and the broad needs of all our people,” Sen. Yasmin Trudeau (D-Tacoma), vice-chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee for the capital budget, said. “Whether you live in an urban or rural area, our capital budget’s mission is to support critical infrastructure that improves our constituents’ quality of life with more housing, better schools, and strong environmental conservation efforts. I am proud that this budget will create jobs today while looking ahead towards the needs of tomorrow.”
Republicans echoed that support, highlighting investments in water and education.
“I’m pleased with our supplemental capital budget, as it addresses several important needs throughout Washington while being fiscally responsible,” Sen. Mark Schoesler (R-Ritzville), a Ways and Means Committee member and ranking Republican on the Senate capital budget, said. “I’m especially glad that our budget provides strong funding to help improve water infrastructure and modernize our public schools.”
Significant portion of Senate plan focuses on water infrastructure following December floods
A significant portion of the proposal focuses on water infrastructure, conservation, and flood recovery following severe flooding last December.
It includes $20 million for irrigation upgrades, fish passage improvements, and leak‑prevention efforts, along with $50 million for flood recovery and preparedness. That includes investments in the Nooksack River floodplain, repairs in the city of Pacific, debris‑removal grants, and a county-by-county risk assessment to guide future projects.
The budget proposal also includes $150 million for affordable housing construction, building on the record $776 million investment in the 2025-27 budget.
The Senate plan contains $93.6 million for K-12 schools. Of that, $71 million would be dedicated to modernizing buildings in small districts and tribal compact schools. It also revises the state’s school‑modernization program to provide more predictable and reliable funding for planning and construction grants.
The Senate proposal will be heard in the Senate Ways and Means Committee at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
The House and Senate will eventually have to reconcile their proposals before the ends of the session on March 12.
Frank Lenzi is the News Director for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here.
