SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6149
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Business, Trade & Economic Development, February 4, 2026
Title: An act relating to the definition of "rural county" for purposes of public facilities funding.
Brief Description: Concerning the definition of "rural county" for purposes of public facilities funding.
Sponsors: Senators Wilson, J., Dozier, Short and Chapman.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Business, Trade & Economic Development: 1/28/26, 2/04/26 [DPS].
Brief Summary of First Substitute Bill
  • Defines a county with a population density of 100 persons per square mile or greater, with no city with a population greater than 45,000 persons, as a rural county.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, TRADE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6149 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Kauffman, Chair; Cortes, Vice Chair; Dozier, Ranking Member; Fortunato, Hasegawa, Lovick, McCune, Stanford and Wilson, J..
Staff: William Bridges (786-7312)
Background:

A rural county is defined as a county with a population density less than 100 persons per square mile or a county smaller than 225 square miles, as determined by the Office of Financial Management. Several statutes use this definition for tax and other assistance programs, including but not limited to statutes referencing public facilities loans and grants, the coordination of community and economic development services, and excise taxes. As of 2025, there are 27 rural counties.
Summary of Bill (First Substitute):

The definition of rural county is changed. In addition to the current definition of rural county, a county with a population density of 100 persons per square mile or greater, with no city with a population greater than 45,000 persons, is also defined as a rural county.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY BUSINESS, TRADE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (First Substitute):
  • Adds a new definition of rural county that includes a county with a population density of 100 persons per square mile or greater, with no city with a population greater than 45,000 persons.
  • Makes a technical change aligning dates for calculating population densities by OFM.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill:

The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard.  PRO: Cowlitz County is a rural county and its growth is occurring in one urban center. This has caused Cowlitz County to lose its rural county classification, which means it is no longer eligible for many economic development programs.    
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Jeff Wilson, Prime Sponsor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.