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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 8,824 In committee 5,037 Passed 3,265 Signed 3,665 Failed 951

Bill results

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1032: Concerning school district elections.

HB 1032 lowers the voter approval threshold for school district bond measures in Washington. It changes the requirement from a three-fifths (60%) majority to a simple majority (50%+1) of votes cast in school district elections on bond issues. This directly affects all Washington school districts seeking to borrow funds for capital projects like building repairs or new facilities. The bill amends existing laws (RCW 28A.535.020, 28A.535.050, and 39.36.020) to reflect this voting change, while keeping the overall debt limit at 2.5% of taxable property value.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationLowers bond approval threshold from 60% to 50%+1, easing school district access to capital funding for infrastructure projects like building repairs.95% confidence
Monica Stonier (D) · 18 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1584: Ending vote by mail for nonabsentee voters and restoring in-person voting at polling places and voting centers.

HB 1584 would end automatic mail-in voting for nonabsentee voters (those not absent from their county, such as most registered voters) in Washington, requiring them to vote in person at polling places or voting centers on election day. The bill maintains limited absentee voting for voters who are absent (e.g., military personnel or overseas citizens) but removes mail-in ballots as the default option for all registered voters. It aims to address ballot security concerns and restore public trust in elections, as stated in the legislature’s findings. The bill amends multiple election laws to implement these changes, including updating voting definitions and ensuring accessibility for voters with disabilities at in-person locations.
Matt Marshall (R) · 14 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1771: Concerning the state universal communications services program.

HB 1771 updates Washington’s State Universal Communications Services Program to expand broadband access and maintain essential telecommunications services. It provides funding (up to $5 million annually) for eligible small providers (serving under 20,000 access lines) to upgrade infrastructure in areas below state broadband goals, maintain emergency 911 systems, and ensure battery backup for emergency access during power outages. The bill requires participating providers to commit to offering basic voice and broadband services under regulated rates while prohibiting funds from overbuilding federally funded areas. It expires July 1, 2027, and amends definitions and program rules across multiple state codes.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $5M annually for broadband infrastructure and emergency services, directly funding essential public programs under state budget appropriations.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands broadband access via $5M annual funding for infrastructure upgrades in underserved areas and maintains emergency telecom services.95% confidence
Clyde Shavers (D) · 3 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1208: Extending a program to streamline the environmental permitting process for salmon recovery projects.

HB 1208 makes permanent Washington's Habitat Recovery Permit Pathway Program, which streamlines environmental permitting for salmon and habitat restoration projects. It directly affects projects approved by specific programs like the Bonneville Power Administration's restoration efforts, tribal fish barrier removal initiatives, or Puget Sound restoration funds. The bill eliminates most local and state permit requirements for qualifying projects, replacing them with a single streamlined review process while maintaining safeguards for cultural resources and flood risk. Projects must document compliance with tribal consultation, cultural resource protections, and flood safety standards before approval.
Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentStreamlines permitting for salmon habitat restoration projects, enabling faster implementation of conservation efforts and protecting ecosystems per bill's purpose.95% confidence
Steve Tharinger (D) · 6 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2005: Providing for enforcement actions for property damage of electric vehicle charging stations.

HB 2005 makes it a crime to intentionally damage or steal electric vehicle (EV) charging stations or related infrastructure, with penalties increasing based on the damage value: a gross misdemeanor for under $1,000, a class C felony for $1,000-$5,000, and a class B felony for over $5,000. It requires offenders to pay restitution to station owners, allows victims to sue for up to $5,000 in damages plus legal fees, and directs additional fines to transportation funds. The law excludes accidental damage by utility workers and defines "electric vehicle charging station" to include related equipment and remote management systems. This bill directly affects vandals/thieves targeting EV infrastructure and protects station owners/operators.
Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offenses with escalating penalties for property damage, expanding criminalization rather than reforming justice system.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyProtects EV charging infrastructure, a key renewable energy component, by imposing penalties for damage and requiring restitution to support adoption.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProtects EV infrastructure, directs fines to transportation funds, and supports sustainable transportation development through enhanced enforcement and funding allocation.95% confidence
Andrew Barkis (R) · 1 co-sponsor
in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1732: Preserving homeownership options by limiting excessive home buying by certain entities.

HB 1732 limits large investment and business entities from purchasing additional single-family homes in Washington to increase housing affordability for residents. It prohibits entities owning more than 25 single-family homes (business entities) or any investment entity (like real estate trusts managing pooled investor funds) from buying more homes, with exemptions for nonprofits, necessary renovations, or short-term development projects. Violators face civil penalties up to $100,000 per violation and must sell the property to a third party within one year. The law aims to address Washington’s housing crisis, where investor ownership has risen significantly while home prices have surged 55% since 2018. It adds these provisions as a new chapter in Washington’s consumer protection law (Title 19 RCW).
Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRestricts large entities from buying homes to boost affordability, directly addressing housing access and cost as stated in the bill's summary.95% confidence
Brianna Thomas (D) · 17 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5531: Streamlining the home care worker background check process.

SB 5531 streamlines background checks for home care workers by removing automatic disqualification for certain past convictions after specific time periods pass (e.g., cannabis sales after 3 years, theft after 10 years, or assault/robbery after 5 years). It directly affects home care workers, long-term care providers, and contracted agencies working with vulnerable adults or children. Key provisions include allowing temporary unsupervised access for up to 30 days during a character review while maintaining a requirement for written notice to guardians about pending reviews. The bill also clarifies that agencies may use discretion in reviewing past convictions, with a rebuttable presumption supporting their decisions.
Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves automatic disqualification for certain past convictions after time periods, promoting second chances for workers with criminal records aligning with criminal justice reform principles.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves barriers for home care workers, improving access to long-term care services for vulnerable patients.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves automatic disqualification for past convictions after time periods, reducing employment barriers for home care workers and advancing their right to work.85% confidence
Mike Chapman (D) · 8 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1085: Improving school safety by extending penalties for interference by, or intimidation by threat of, force or violence at schools and extracurricular activities and requiring schools to notify the public of such penalties.

HB 1085 strengthens school safety by increasing penalties for interference with school activities through force or violence, and for threatening intimidation, specifically targeting disruptions at athletic events. It requires schools to post clear signage at entrances and athletic fields explaining these penalties, including fines up to $1,000 or jail time for adults, and exclusion from school or events for 12-18 months. The bill directly affects students, athletes, spectators, and school staff (including athletic officials and volunteers), expanding protections previously limited to general school settings to cover extracurricular sports. These changes aim to prevent escalation of harmful behavior by making consequences explicit and enforceable.
Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for school disruptions, expanding criminalization of minor offenses through harsher sentencing (fines/jail), opposing criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence
Suzanne Schmidt (R) · 14 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1767: Concerning school enrollments for enrichment funding.

HB 1767 adjusts how Washington state provides supplemental funding to school districts based on their enrichment levies. It calculates state assistance as a fraction of a district's actual levy rate (capped at $1.50 per $1,000 assessed value) for districts below that threshold, while districts meeting or exceeding it receive full maximum assistance. The bill also sets a per-pupil funding limit ($2,500 or $3,000, adjusted for inflation) based on district size for enrichment levies, and includes specific provisions for state-tribal education compact schools. This directly affects school districts collecting enrichment levies, particularly smaller districts and tribal schools, by changing how their local levy efforts translate to state funding.
Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill sets per-pupil funding limits ($2,500/$3,000) and caps state assistance, restricting state spending on school enrichment funding.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdjusts funding formula to maintain enrichment support within defined limits, ensuring continued access to supplemental funds for school programs.85% confidence
Janice Zahn (D) · 12 co-sponsors
passed · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1402: Concerning job postings requiring driver's licenses.

House Bill 1402 makes it an unfair practice for Washington state employers to include a driver's license requirement in job advertisements or applications unless the position's core functions genuinely necessitate operating a motor vehicle. This bill clarifies that transportation to and from the job site does not constitute a job function requiring a driver's license. Individuals harmed by a violation can pursue civil action to stop the practice and recover damages and attorney's fees.
Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents unnecessary driver's license requirements in job postings, protecting workers from discriminatory hiring barriers and advancing fair employment practices per bill's unfair practice provisions.90% confidence
Shaun Scott (D) · 19 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1358: Concerning the notice of sale or lease of manufactured/mobile home communities.

HB 1358 requires mobile home community owners in Washington to provide written notice of a potential sale or lease to all tenants, tenant organizations, and specific government agencies (like the Department of Commerce and local housing authorities) before marketing the community for sale. The notice must include details about the sale, a 70-day window for tenants to form a qualified purchasing group, and information on how to access community financial data. This bill amends existing laws to ensure tenants have a formal opportunity to compete for ownership before the property is sold to outside buyers. It applies directly to mobile home community owners and tenants, with specific requirements for notice delivery, timelines, and access to financial information during negotiations.
Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires mobile home community owners to provide tenants 70-day notice before sale/lease, enabling tenant purchase groups and protecting against displacement in affordable housing.95% confidence
Mia Gregerson (D) · 14 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2071: Generating resources to combat domestic violence by imposing an excise tax on owners of online dating applications.

HB 2071 imposes a monthly $1 tax on owners of online dating applications with Washington resident users, calculated based on the number of Washington residents (identified via address or IP) using the app each month. The tax applies to businesses owning 50% or more of such apps and funds must be deposited into a dedicated domestic violence services account for intervention programs and victim assistance. Owners must report resident user counts monthly and maintain records, with accounts inactive for 24+ months no longer taxable. The tax takes effect January 1, 2026, and directly affects online dating app companies operating in Washington.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes new excise tax on app owners to fund domestic violence services, directly allocating tax revenue to a public program per bill's funding mechanism.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds domestic violence intervention programs and victim assistance, directly supporting criminal justice system victim services and prevention efforts.85% confidence
Lauren Davis (D) · 1 co-sponsor
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