HB 1741 requires most Washington health insurance plans (excluding public employee plans) to cover intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy for children diagnosed with PANDAS (pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections) or PANS (pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome). Plans must cover three initial monthly IVIG treatments plus additional courses as medically necessary, but only after two or more less intensive treatments have been tried without success (e.g., ineffective, intolerable, or failing to improve symptoms). A pediatric subspecialist consultation is mandatory, and patients must be reevaluated every three months. The law applies to health plans renewed on or after January 1, 2026.
HB 1702 would allow Washington counties to impose a 3% tax on utilities (like electricity, gas, water, and sewer services) operating in unincorporated areas. Utilities would add this tax to customer bills and show it separately, while counties must use 0.2% of the revenue for low-income utility assistance. The bill permits counties to exempt business customers (e.g., factories, data centers) but not residential customers unless businesses are also exempt. It defines "utility" broadly to include major service providers and ensures the tax doesn’t overlap with existing state-level utility taxes.
HB 1324 redirects revenues from Washington's Climate Commitment Act (CCA) auction system to fund major state transportation projects, including the I-5 Columbia River bridge replacement and the US 395 North Spokane corridor. The bill amends existing law to require that CCA auction proceeds - previously restricted from road projects - be allocated specifically to highway and bridge infrastructure, rather than solely to climate or environmental programs. Key provisions mandate that funds support projects improving freight movement (like the Gateway freight project) and reducing congestion, which the bill states contributes to lower greenhouse gas emissions. This reallocation changes how CCA revenue is spent but does not alter the underlying auction system or funding amounts.
House Bill 1822 establishes a new requirement for certain driver's license applicants in Washington state. It mandates that individuals under the age of 26 applying for their first driver's license must successfully complete an online course focused on driver safety in work zones and around first responders. The Department of Licensing is tasked with contracting for and providing this online course at no cost for Washington residents between 15 and 25 years old. This safety course also becomes a necessary step for obtaining an intermediate driver's license.
SB 5483 prohibits Washington school districts from censoring or restricting instruction about U.S. or Washington state history and heritage when using original source documents containing religious references. The bill specifically protects teaching from 13 listed historical materials, including the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Gettysburg Address, Pledge of Allegiance, and Northwest Ordinance. It directly affects public school districts by requiring them to teach these documents without removing or altering religious content. The law aims to preserve the full historical context of foundational American texts in classroom instruction.
SB 5273 creates state funding for community violence prevention and intervention services targeting youth and adults who have been violently injured, are at risk of violence, or have experienced chronic community violence. It requires community violence professionals to complete standardized training by January 2027 and mandates funding for at least four programs (including one east and one west of the Cascades), prioritizing high-firearm-violence communities. Programs must coordinate with health care providers and the Department of Health, with plans to eventually bill medical assistance programs for these services. The bill defines "community violence" and specifies services like peer support, conflict mediation, and care coordination as evidence-informed, trauma-responsive interventions.
HB 2063 adjusts tuition waiver eligibility for students finishing high school at Washington community and technical colleges. It requires full tuition waivers for children and surviving spouses of fallen or totally disabled law enforcement officers, firefighters, or state patrol officers (if enrolling within 10 years of high school graduation), and allows partial waivers for non-resident students aged 19-20 completing high school. The bill also specifies that waivers for high school completers must cover only courses leading to a diploma or certificate. Colleges must report waiver costs annually to the state board, which then shares the data with legislative committees. This directly affects low-income high school completers, first responder families, and non-resident students seeking diplomas.
HB 1087 expands Washington's "endangerment with a controlled substance" law to include fentanyl and other high-potency synthetic opioids, in addition to methamphetamine. It directly affects individuals who knowingly expose dependent children or adults to these substances. The bill amends the law to specifically list fentanyl (and its salts/isomers) and other defined high-potency synthetic opioids as covered substances, making such exposure a class B felony. This change explicitly excludes cases where substances are administered under a valid prescription, as outlined in chapter 69.50 RCW.
HB 1437 establishes a new governance structure for Washington's state tourism marketing authority, requiring a board of 13 members (including nine tourism industry experts appointed by the governor) to oversee promotion efforts. It directs a tourism self-assessment advisory group - representing sectors like lodging, attractions, and transportation - to evaluate implementing an industry-funded fee for sustainable tourism marketing, with recommendations due by November 1, 2025. The bill specifically aims to address current funding gaps (currently $4.5 million annually) by exploring a self-supported model that could generate dedicated revenue, though it does not mandate implementation. The authority and advisory group provisions expire June 1, 2026.
SB 5433 would allow unions representing Washington State Department of Corrections employees to negotiate a single master collective bargaining agreement directly with the governor or the governor's designee, rather than forming coalitions with other unions. Currently, most state agency bargaining units representing fewer than 500 employees must form coalitions, but Department of Corrections employees were only partially exempt (the marine department was exempt while others were not). This bill would extend the direct negotiation process to all Corrections employees, eliminating the need for coalitions across the entire department. The change applies solely to Corrections employees and does not affect bargaining rules for other state agencies.
SB 5584 establishes an independent prosecutor within the Washington State governor's office to review and prosecute cases where police use of deadly force results in death. The governor appoints a licensed attorney meeting strict qualifications (no criminal history involving dishonesty or bias, plus background checks) to decide whether to file charges and handle prosecutions in the governor's name. This office will operate alongside county prosecutors for these specific cases, report annually to the legislature on its work, and ensure victims' families are kept informed. The bill aims to create a standardized, impartial process for these sensitive cases, separate from local law enforcement oversight.
HB 1905 requires courts to appoint legal counsel for individuals detained under Washington's involuntary treatment laws. This bill directly affects people facing involuntary mental health or substance use disorder detention, ensuring they have representation during court proceedings. Key provisions amend statutes to mandate appointed counsel during involuntary commitment hearings and related legal processes. The law updates procedures to provide due process for detained individuals under the Involuntary Treatment Act, without specifying funding or eligibility details. This change aims to strengthen legal protections for those in involuntary detention.
