These new laws and taxes just went into effect in Washington state. What to know

In Washington state, the start of 2026 means a bevy of new laws and taxes.

The changes, which took effect Jan. 1, affect everything from vapes and smartphone repairs to car sales and grocery store trips.

Here is a roundup of new Washington state laws, taxes and fees — and what they mean for you:

What is the new minimum wage in Washington?

On Jan. 1, Washington state’s minimum wage increased from $16.66 to $17.13 an hour, according to the Washington Department of Labor and Industry.

“Washington employers must pay most employees at least the minimum wage for every hour worked,” the state Labor Department said on its website.

Washington state is now one of six states in the nation that pay workers a minimum hourly wage of $16 or higher, Axios reported.

Some cities and counties throughout Washington state have also increased how much local workers must be paid per hour, based on the cost of living.

Here are local minimum wages in the following cities as of January, according to various city websites:

• Seattle: $21.30 per hour
• Everett: $20.77
• Bellingham: $19.13
• Unincorporated King County: $20.82
• Renton: $21.57
• SeaTac: $20.57
• Tukwila: $21.65

How much do plastic bags cost at grocery stores?

Washington State banned single-use plastic bags on Oct. 1, 2021, according to the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Since then, Washington grocery stores and shops have been charging shoppers 8 cents apiece for reusable plastic bags made from recycled plastic while paper bags remained free.

However, that price is increasing in 2026, along with a new fee.

“When a customer chooses to purchase a bag from a grocery store, retailer or restaurant, the law requires a minimum charge of 8 cents for paper bags or 12 cents for plastic bags,” the state Department of Ecology said on its website. “Businesses are allowed to charge more than the minimum fees to help recoup the higher costs of compliant paper and plastic bags.”

This fee is meant to encourage shoppers to bring their own reusable shopping bags.

Washington expands tax for vaping products

Washington state is cracking down on vapes and other synthetic products containing nicotine.

Effective Jan. 1, the tobacco products tax applies to “any product that contains tobacco or nicotine, whether derived from tobacco or synthetically made,” according to the Washington State Department of Revenue.

That includes:

• Cigars
• Pipe tobacco
• Chewing tobacco
• E-cigarettes
• Synthetic nicotine pouches
• Disposable vapor products containing nicotine
• Vapor liquids that contain nicotine

The tobacco products tax doesn’t apply to cigarettes, which are subject to the state’s cigarette tax.

Revenue generated by Senate Bill 5814 supports “health care and other programs that protect the safety and well-being of the public,” the bill’s official summary reads, including behavioral health services for those living with mental illness or substance abuse.

Additionally, according to the bill’s summary, any revenue made from this new tax will be going toward school funding in Washington.

Big businesses have a new surcharge

Big businesses in Washington state are facing a new tax in 2026.

Senate Bill 5815 requires businesses that make more than $250 million in a year of taxable income to pay a 0.5% surcharge on top of business and occupation tax payments, according to the Association of Washington Business.

When calculating the $250 million threshold, the law excludes:

• Manufacturing activities
• Sales of food and food ingredients
• Food stamp purchases
• Sales of prescription drugs

Expect higher taxes on luxury car sales

To deal with a transportation budget shortfall, Washington state is increasing taxes and fees on everything from luxury cars to rental vehicles.

As of Jan. 1, you can expect to pay an additional 8% tax for the sale of “any motor vehicle that exceeds $100,000,” the Washington State Department of Revenue said.

“This tax also applies to the fair market value of a leased vehicle that exceeds $100,000,” the state agency said.

The sales tax assessment on cars increased slightly to 0.5%

Meanwhile, Washington’s rental car tax will temporarily climb from 5.9% to 11.9%.

Fees have increased for tire replacement, recreational vehicle sales, vehicle registration filing and more, the Washington State Standard previously reported.

Do workers on strike quality for unemployment benefits?

Striking workers in Washington state can qualify for unemployment benefits in 2026, thanks to Senate Bill 5041.

If you’re unemployed due to a strike or lockout where you work, you can get up to six weeks of unemployment insurance benefits.

Unions and advocates say the new law will help workers get by during the bargaining process and help resolve disputes faster, McClatchy Media previously reported.

What changes are coming to movie theaters?

Do you prefer to watch films with subtitles? Movie theaters in Washington state are now required to provide closed captioning technology.

Movie theaters operated by companies with five or more theaters in Washington state must offer a certain number of close-captioned screenings “within different periods such as the first two weeks of a movie’s release and peak hours of business,” according to House Bill 5486.

Smaller theater chains have to host open-caption screenings upon request.

Can I legally repair my broken phone in Washington?

Washington state is making it easier to extend the life of your electronics.

House Bill 1483 — also known as the Right to Repair Act — requires “digital electronics manufacturers such as Apple to share the tools, parts and information needed for independent repair providers” to mend smartphones and other devices, McClatchy Media previously reported, cutting down on waste.

The bill’s prime sponsor, Rep. Mia Gregerson, D-SeaTac, called the law “a win for every person in Washington state.”

“We all know that we want to keep our devices longer. We want to be able to connect with our loved ones,” Gregerson told the Washington State Standard in May.

Will my Washington driver’s license change in 2026?

Washington drivers have a new option when it comes to updating their information, thanks to Senate Bill 5689.

You can now pay a $2 fee to include your blood type on your driver’s license or identification card, according to the Washington Department of Licensing.

“The hope is this will allow first responders to quickly identify what type of blood the person needs in an emergency,” the Washington State Standard previously reported.