HB 1078 Washington House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning pet insurance.

HB 1078 regulates pet insurance policies in Washington State. It prohibits insurers from excluding coverage or canceling policies based on a pet’s age, developing health conditions (like chronic illnesses or congenital disorders), or preexisting conditions without clear proof. The bill limits waiting periods for non-accident illnesses to 30 days (no waiting periods for accidents), requires insurers to allow waiver of waiting periods via a vet exam (paid by the owner unless specified otherwise), and bans requiring exams for policy renewals. These changes directly affect pet owners and insurers by standardizing coverage terms and preventing unfair cancellations.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Mar 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill → Substitute Bill · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was updated from the 2025 session to the 2026 session and moved from individual sponsors to the House Consumer Protection & Business committee. The most significant substantive change is the restructuring of cancellation rules: the original bill allowed insurers to refuse renewal based on the detection of a preexisting condition, while the substitute bill removes this specific ground for denial, limiting cancellation reasons to age and new health issues arising during the policy period.

Scope change

The bill's session year changed from 2025 to 2026, and sponsorship was transferred to a committee. The scope of consumer protections was narrowed by removing the ability for insurers to cancel policies based on preexisting conditions.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the ability for pet insurers to cancel or refuse renewal based on the detection of a preexisting condition, restricting such actions to age and new health conditions developing during the policy term.

REQUIREMENT

Consolidated the list of prohibited cancellation reasons and reorganized the structure of the section regarding affiliated company transfers.

TIMELINE

Updated the legislative session from the 2025 Regular Session to the 2026 Regular Session.

Floor votes · House Feb 10, 2026

How they voted

97–0

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 100

Feb 10, 2026

D Democratic61

59 Yea 2

96% Yea

R Republican39

38 Yea 1

97% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Business, Trade & Economic Development at 4:00 PM.

upper

Feb 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Business, Trade & Economic Development at 8:00 AM.

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Business, Trade & Economic Development at 8:00 AM.

upper

Feb 10, 2026

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (97-0-3)

house

Feb 3, 2026

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business at 8:00 AM.

lower

Jan 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business at 1:30 PM.

lower

Jan 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business at 1:30 PM.

lower

Jan 12, 2026

Introduced

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

lower

Feb 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business at 1:30 PM.

lower

Jan 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business at 8:00 AM.

lower

1 primary · 6 co-sponsors