Scored 8/10 on whether it helps or hurts everyday people.
The Companies Sell Bill
Washington state wants to tax companies that sell your data
Creating a data broker registry for the purpose of imposing a data broker severance tax.
Good for everyday people ·
This bill would make companies that sell your personal information pay a special tax, which could make them think twice about collecting your data.
Our take
What we think, in plain words.
This bill wants to make companies called 'data brokers' pay a special tax. Data brokers are businesses that collect and sell your personal information, like what you buy or where you go online, often without you knowing. If this bill passes, these companies would have to sign up with the state and pay a tax for selling your data. Supporters believe this could make data brokers more careful about collecting and selling your information, and the money from the tax could help the state. On the other hand, some might worry that data brokers could just raise their prices, passing the cost onto other businesses or even consumers. This bill is still moving through the legislature, so now is the time to pay attention to how it might affect your privacy and who pays for it.
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The facts
What the bill actually says, no spin.
- The bill would create a list of companies that sell personal data.
- It would make these companies pay a special tax for selling data.
- This bill was introduced in Washington state.
- It has had public hearings in the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business.
In the news
Scanning the news for this bill…
Headlines gathered from across the news, starting points to explore, not endorsements. Always read the official text before acting.
Sources
Read it yourself: the official bill and records.
This bill is in the Washington Bill Book 2026
The best and worst Washington bills of 2026, one page each — our take on the left, the bill on the right, and room for your notes. No email needed.
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