WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SSB 5400

SB 5400: Local news journalism

Supporting local news journalism.

Summary

  • Establishes the Washington Local News Sustainability Program (Program) in the Department of Commerce to make grants supporting the employment of news journalists covering civic affairs in underserved communities.
  • Establishes a business and occupation tax surcharge of 1.22 percent on certain social media platforms and search engines, and requires revenues from the surcharge be used for the Program or the journalism fellowship program at the Washington State University.

From the Senate Bill Report (SB 5400), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · died in committee
  1. IntroducedJan 21, 2025
  2. Out of committeestopped here
  3. Passed Senate
  4. Passed House
  5. Governor
  6. Law
Prime sponsor
Marko Liias (D-21)
Introduced
January 21, 2025 in the Senate
Last action
January 12, 2026
Companion bill
HB 1836
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 5400, SSB 5400

AN ACT Relating to supporting local news journalism;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Marko Liias (D-21)

12 co-sponsors (11 Democrats, 1 Republican)

Matt Boehnke R-8Mike Chapman D-24Adrian Cortes D-18Noel Frame D-36Deborah Krishnadasan D-26Liz Lovelett D-40John Lovick D-44Tina Orwall D-33Marcus Riccelli D-3Rebecca Saldaña D-37Sharon Shewmake D-42Javier Valdez D-46

Votes

No recorded floor votes. This measure never reached a floor vote.

History

  1. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (SSB 5400)
  2. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
  3. And refer to Ways & Means. (SSB 5400)
  4. Minority; do not pass. (SSB 5400)
  5. Referred to Ways & Means. (SSB 5400)
  6. Referred to Ways & Means.
  7. Minority; do not pass.
  8. And refer to Ways & Means.
  9. LC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SSB 5400)
  10. LC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  11. First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce.

SB 5400 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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