The House Appropriations chair’s operating budget proposal would increase appropriations from funds subject to the outlook (NGFO) by $6.216 billion. Revised 2021–23 NGFO appropriations would be $65.283 billion—26.5% over 2019–21 spending and 10.5% above enacted 2021–23 appropriations. This is $1.535 billion more than the Senate Ways & Means chair proposed.

Major NGFO spending items include (amounts are for 2021–23 only):

• $2.0 billion for the transportation budget
• $737.0 million for the capital budget
• $397.0 million for the paid family and medical leave insurance account
• $300.0 million for the Washington student loan program
• $275.9 million for state employee compensation
• $314.7 million for K–12 enrollment stabilization
• $236.5 million for K–12 inflation rebasing
• $107.9 million for K–12 student support staffing
• $298.3 million for COVID-19 response and vaccines
• $150.0 million for utility assistance
• $133.9 million for salmon recovery

The proposal includes a sales and use tax holiday (HB 2018), which would reduce revenues by $119.1 million. Under the bill, the sales tax would not apply to certain purchases made from Sept. 3–5, 2022.

The proposal would leave an unrestricted NGFO ending balance of $297 million in 2023–25. Like the Senate chair’s proposal, the House chair would not make extra deposits to the rainy day fund. Unlike the Senate proposal, the House chair would not transfer any funds to the WA rescue plan transition account. Additionally, unlike the Senate chair’s proposal, the House chair’s proposal assumes the 4.5% extra revenue for 2023–25 (as allowed under the four-year outlook statute).