HB 2532 Washington House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning the sale and distribution of nitrous oxide.

HB 2532 makes it a gross misdemeanor to sell, distribute, or give away nitrous oxide in containers like canisters or tanks (including flavored versions), except for specific exempt uses. The law specifically targets recreational nitrous oxide sales by criminalizing these transactions, with penalties including up to 364 days in jail. Key exemptions include licensed medical, dental, or veterinary use; nitrous oxide used as a food propellant; and industrial or automotive applications. The bill does not ban nitrous oxide itself but regulates its sale in consumer containers for non-exempt purposes.

Issues: ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 16, 2026 Signed Mar 24, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Substitute Bill → Substitute Passed Legislature · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was formally enrolled and passed by both the House and Senate, moving from a draft version to the final legislative text. The primary substantive change is the expansion of the bill's scope from adding a new section to an existing chapter (69.50 RCW) to creating an entirely new chapter within Title 69 RCW, which organizes the new nitrous oxide regulations as a distinct legal entity.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded by changing the mechanism of enactment from adding a single section to an existing chapter to establishing a completely new chapter in Title 69 RCW, thereby elevating the status of the nitrous oxide regulations.

SCOPE

Changed the legislative action from adding a new section to chapter 69.50 RCW to adding a new chapter to Title 69 RCW.

TECHNICAL

Added certification of enrollment details, including passage dates, vote counts, and signatures from the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate.

Adjusted the introductory text of the act to reflect the new chapter creation rather than a single section addition.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 28, 2026 · House Feb 11, 2026

How they voted

51–0

Passed

Total votes 51

Feb 28, 2026

D Democratic31

31 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican20

20 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 24, 2026

Signed into law

Governor signed.

executive

Mar 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

President signed.

upper

Mar 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Speaker signed.

lower

Mar 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed final passage; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

lower

Mar 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

House concurred in Senate amendments.

lower

Feb 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

upper

Feb 28, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (51-0)

senate

Feb 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

LAW - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

upper

Feb 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM.

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM.

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Floor amendment(s) adopted.

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Community Safety at 1:30 PM.

lower

Jan 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Community Safety at 1:30 PM.

lower

1 primary · 10 co-sponsors