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Washington Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress
All 16,751 Active 3,787 In committee 9,316 Passed 3,263 Signed 3,665 Failed 959

Bill results

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 5859: Expanding opportunities for competency-based assessments in graduation pathway options.

This bill (SB 5859) expands graduation options for Washington state high school students by adding competency-based assessments and performance-based learning experiences as valid pathways to demonstrate college and career readiness. Students can now meet graduation requirements through competency-based assessments in English language arts and math (instead of solely relying on traditional tests) or by completing real-world projects, portfolios, or practicums that align with state learning standards. School districts must offer these new options alongside existing pathways (like standardized tests or dual-credit courses) and provide annual information about all options to students and families. The bill requires the state board to establish rules for evaluating these new pathways, ensuring they meet state standards while giving districts flexibility in implementation.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands student pathways beyond traditional testing via competency assessments and performance projects, advancing educational access and flexibility in graduation requirements.95% confidence
Lisa Wellman (D) · 6 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 5864: Concerning verification of motor vehicle insurance.

Washington State's SB 5864 creates a new online system for verifying motor vehicle insurance coverage. The bill requires the Department of Licensing to establish a secure, accessible system where law enforcement, courts, and insurers can check if vehicles have required liability insurance during registration renewals. Insurers must connect to this system to provide real-time verification using data like vehicle ID numbers, and must maintain records for six months. The system must be fully operational by April 1, 2029, and applies to all personal vehicle insurance policies (excluding commercial policies, which may join voluntarily). This changes how insurance proof is verified, replacing manual checks with digital confirmation at registration time.
Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationVerifies motor vehicle insurance coverage to ensure compliance, enhancing road safety through regulatory enforcement per transportation vehicle regulations.92% confidence
John Lovick (D) · 7 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · House Jan 22, 2026

HB 2173: Concerning the use of face coverings by law enforcement officers.

HB 2173 prohibits Washington law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings (like balaclavas or ski masks) during routine public interactions, while allowing exceptions for active undercover operations and protective gear used by specialized units like SWAT teams. The bill defines "facial covering" to exclude medical masks, helmets, and clear face shields. It also establishes that individuals detained in violation can sue officers for financial compensation, attorney fees, or other court-ordered remedies. The law applies to all "peace officers" as defined under state law during standard public duties.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes officer transparency during public interactions and enables civil suits for violations, enhancing police accountability in criminal justice context.85% confidence
Julio Cortes (D) · 37 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · House Jan 22, 2026

HB 2100: Enacting an excise tax on large operating companies on the amount of payroll expenses above the minimum wage threshold of the additional medicare tax to fund services to benefit Washingtonians and establishing the Well Washington fund account.

HB 2100 imposes a tax on large Washington companies for payroll expenses exceeding $125,000 per employee (mirroring the federal Medicare surtax threshold), effective July 2026. The tax revenue will fund the "Well Washington Fund," with 51% of annual revenues dedicated to supporting health care (including Medicaid), higher education, food assistance (SNAP), and energy/housing programs. The bill creates an oversight board of 25 legislative members to manage fund allocations, ensuring resources target services most impacted by federal budget cuts. This policy directly affects large operating companies with significant payroll, aiming to offset projected losses in state services from federal legislation.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes excise tax on large companies to fund health care, education, and social programs, directly advancing public service funding per topic indicators.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly allocates 51% of tax revenue to 'energy/housing programs' under the Well Washington Fund, directly funding energy initiatives.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill dedicates 51% of Well Washington Fund revenues to healthcare (including Medicaid), directly funding health services and programs.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates 51% of Well Washington Fund revenues to 'energy/housing programs', explicitly funding housing initiatives as part of its revenue allocation.95% confidence
Shaun Scott (D) · 18 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 2612: Protecting revenues devoted to the workforce education investment account.

HB 2612 protects revenues from specific state surcharges by mandating their direct deposit into Washington's workforce education investment account. The bill requires all funds from the workforce investment surcharge (RCW 82.04.299) and specified revenues (RCW 82.04.290(2)(c)) to be placed solely in this account, with spending limited to higher education programs, workforce development, and student aid. Crucially, it prohibits using these funds to replace or reduce existing state, federal, or local education funding - ensuring they provide supplemental support only. This directly affects state higher education institutions and workforce programs that rely on these designated funds.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates dedicated funding for workforce education by protecting surcharge revenues from diversion, preventing replacement of existing funding, and ensuring fiscal responsibility for essential programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates direct deposit of surcharge revenues into workforce education account for higher education programs, workforce development, and student aid, preventing diversion from dedicated education funding.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDirects surcharge funds exclusively to workforce development and education programs, advancing employment opportunities and skills training per bill's explicit funding mandate.90% confidence
Shaun Scott (D) · 8 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 2603: Addressing transfers on death of vehicle titles.

HB 2603 creates a "transfer on death title" option for vehicle owners in Washington, allowing them to automatically transfer ownership to a designated beneficiary upon their death without probate. Owners can set this up by naming a beneficiary on standard title applications (RCW 46.12.530 or 46.12.555), making the transfer effective at death without requiring the beneficiary's signature, acceptance, or payment during the owner's lifetime. The transfer is revocable anytime before death - owners can sell the vehicle or remove the beneficiary designation via a new title application. This directly affects vehicle owners seeking simplified inheritance for their cars and beneficiaries who would receive the vehicle automatically, while preserving creditors' rights and other transfer methods.
John Ley (R) · 1 co-sponsor
in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 6042: Requiring the creation and maintenance of school maps in safe school plans.

SB 6042 requires Washington public school districts to create and maintain standardized school maps as part of their safe school plans. These maps must meet specific standards and be made available to local and state first responder agencies to improve emergency response coordination. The bill addresses documented issues with outdated or inconsistent mapping systems, where many districts lacked accurate facility data for emergencies. It mandates that school districts include these maps in their safe school plans, which also cover emergency drills, staff training, and communication protocols for student safety.
Lisa Wellman (D) · 5 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 6267: Concerning nursing education program standards.

This bill limits the Washington State nursing board's authority over nursing education programs. It prohibits the board from imposing standards beyond national accreditation requirements and treats a program's national accreditation documentation as sufficient for state compliance. The bill also requires the board to provide technical assistance for programs with low NCLEX pass rates (below 80%) and expedite approval for new programs at institutions with existing accredited nursing programs. These changes aim to reduce regulatory duplication and support nursing schools while maintaining national accreditation as the primary standard.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill streamlines nursing program approvals and mandates technical assistance for low-performing programs, supporting higher education access and quality within nursing education standards.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves nursing education standards by requiring technical assistance for low-performing programs and expediting new program approvals, directly supporting healthcare workforce development and quality.90% confidence
Jess Bateman (D) · 2 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 2260: Concerning requirements pertaining to signatures and addresses of ballot measure petitioners and petition signature gatherers.

HB 2260 requires signature gatherers (people collecting signatures for ballot initiatives) to sign a declaration on each petition sheet confirming they verified each signer's identity, address, and that no one was paid to sign. It also mandates matching petitioners' addresses to their voter registration records to prevent fraud. These changes aim to improve signature verification accuracy by ensuring addresses on petitions match registration data, reducing errors in validating signatures. The bill aligns with requirements in other states like Idaho and California and responds to issues where unsigned declarations and missing addresses led to potential signature validation errors.
Alex Ramel (D) · 21 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SJR 8208: Amending the state Constitution to allow the legislature to determine the duration of regular sessions.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to remove fixed session length limits for Washington's legislature. Currently, the constitution specifies 105 days for odd-year sessions and 60 days for even-year sessions; this amendment would allow the legislature to set session durations through regular laws instead. If approved by voters, it would change Article II, Section 12 of the state constitution to give lawmakers authority over session timing. The amendment requires voter approval at the next general election and would enable the legislature to adjust session lengths based on evolving needs.
Bob Hasegawa (D) · 1 co-sponsor
in committee · Washington · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 2609: Exempting vapor products from the tobacco products tax.

HB 2609 exempts vapor products from Washington State's tobacco products tax by amending the definition of "tobacco products" in tax law (RCW 82.26.010) to explicitly exclude vapor products as defined in RCW 70.345.010. This change directly affects vapor product sellers and consumers, removing an existing tax burden on these products. The bill modifies the tax code's definition to clarify that vapor products are not considered taxable tobacco products, aligning with existing state regulations for vapor products. No new tax rates or fees are created; the policy change solely removes vapor products from the current tobacco tax framework.
Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill removes tax burden on vapor products, decreasing state tax revenue by exempting them from tobacco tax, weakening tax base.90% confidence
Travis Couture (R) · 3 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · House Jan 21, 2026

HB 2602: Establishing data and personal safety protections within areas of public accommodation for all Washington residents.

HB 2602 establishes protections against immigration enforcement in Washington's early learning centers, schools, health care facilities, and colleges. The bill prohibits these institutions from collecting immigration or citizenship status information from students or patients and requires immigration officers to present a valid judicial warrant, subpoena, or court order to enter nonpublic areas like classrooms or patient treatment rooms. It also mandates that facilities designate nonpublic areas and document denials of access to immigration officers. These provisions apply to all Washington residents using these public accommodations, aiming to safeguard privacy and safety during essential services.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits immigration enforcement in schools, protects student privacy, and ensures nonpublic areas remain safe for educational access without fear of deportation.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits healthcare facilities from collecting patient immigration status and requires warrants for entry into treatment areas, directly protecting patient privacy and safety in healthcare settings.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits collection of immigration status in schools/healthcare, requires warrants for enforcement entry, and protects nonpublic areas from immigration officers per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill prohibits collection of immigration status data in schools/health facilities, directly protecting personal data privacy per topic's data privacy focus.90% confidence
Monica Stonier (D) · 9 co-sponsors
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