Sign Up
Home › Washington › Bills
Bills

Washington Bills

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

State Legislature US Congress
All 16,751 Active 8,818 In committee 5,031 Passed 3,263 Signed 3,665 Failed 959

Bill results

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5598: Modifying provisions on joint legislative audit and review committee studies.

SB 5598 modifies Washington's joint legislative audit and review committee procedures by extending the sunset date for audit provisions from 2025 to 2045 and adding flexibility to extend study timelines. It specifically removes barriers to continuing the sustainable harvest study by requiring the committee to conduct an independent review of the Department of Natural Resources' forest inventory, growth modeling, and harvest calculation methodologies before the 2025-2034 sustainable harvest determination. The bill mandates that the committee hire independent contractors for technical reviews and requires the Department of Natural Resources to involve its sustainable harvest advisory committee in forest inventory updates. These changes directly affect the Department of Natural Resources, the joint legislative audit committee, and forest management decision-making processes.
Jesse Salomon (D) · 2 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5070: Concerning prohibiting fees on certain acts of commerce to protect tipped wages for workers while reducing the financial burden on employers.

SB 5070 prohibits credit and debit card interchange fees on the tax and tip portions of transactions for businesses in Washington. This ensures tipped workers receive their full tips without deductions and reduces costs for businesses collecting state taxes on their behalf. Businesses must report tax and tip amounts during payment processing to avoid these fees, or submit documentation within 180 days to get refunds for any fees charged on those portions. The law requires payment networks to develop a system for reporting these amounts within two years, aiming to make transaction fees more transparent and fair.
Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits credit/debit fees on tip/tax portions, ensuring tipped workers receive full wages and protecting their earnings from deductions.95% confidence
Rebecca Saldaña (D) · 13 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1951: Concerning regulation of transportation network companies during large-scale events.

HB 1951 caps fares for transportation network companies (like Uber or Lyft) during large-scale events, limiting charges to 120% of the driver's pay for prearranged rides. It directly affects passengers using these services at events defined as gatherings of 1,000+ people indoors or 10,000+ people outdoors with defined entrances/exits (excluding school or religious events). The bill requires companies to provide fare estimates before rides and prohibits excessive pricing during events, with "driver's pay" defined as base compensation excluding tolls or tips. This policy aims to prevent price gouging during high-demand gatherings while maintaining existing state preemption over local regulations for transportation network companies.
Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill caps fares at 120% of driver's pay during events, directly protecting drivers' earnings by ensuring they receive a minimum share of fares, aligning with wage protection indicators.85% confidence
Brianna Thomas (D) · 18 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1663: Enhancing youth mental health and well-being through advanced training and expansion of the workforce in schools.

HB 1663 aims to improve youth mental health in Washington schools by expanding the school social worker workforce. It requires educational service districts to coordinate with mental health agencies and universities to create in-school placements for social workers and trainees, directly addressing Washington's current ratio of one social worker per 3,798 students (compared to the recommended 1:250). The bill amends state law to clarify school social workers' roles in crisis intervention, trauma care, behavioral support, and collaboration with families and schools. These changes are designed to reduce student absenteeism, support students with mental health needs, and strengthen school-based mental health services for all K-12 students.
Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands school social worker workforce to address 1:3798 ratio, enhancing student mental health support in K-12 schools per bill's focus on crisis intervention and trauma training.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands school-based mental health workforce, addresses critical staffing ratio (1:3798 vs. 1:250), and mandates coordination for crisis intervention/training per bill summary.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands school social worker workforce, creating jobs and improving employment standards by reducing caseloads (1:3798 to 1:250), directly supporting labor & employment through workforce growth and enhanced workplace conditions.95% confidence
Alicia Rule (D) · 4 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1227: Making transportation appropriations for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium.

HB 1227 allocates $3.025 million to increase women and minority-owned contractor participation in transportation projects, with specific requirements for outreach, technical assistance, and a trucking resource-sharing program. It also provides $4.92 million for tribal electric boat grants to convert fishing vessels to electric motors and $2.4 million for the University of Washington to create a public sidewalk accessibility dataset. The bill appropriates funds across 10 state agencies for road maintenance, ferry operations, and capital improvements during the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. Key provisions include targeted spending conditions, such as requiring diversity action plans for pilotage commissions and prioritizing non-Puget Sound areas for contractor support.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $3.025M for minority contractors, $4.92M for tribal electric grants, and $2.4M for UW dataset - directly funds public programs via state budget, advancing fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAllocates $4.92M for tribal electric boat conversions, promoting renewable energy use in transportation infrastructure.80% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates $3.025M for minority contractors in transportation projects, $4.92M for electric boat grants (sustainable transit), and $2.4M for sidewalk accessibility data - funding sustainable infrastructure.95% confidence
Jake Fey (D) · 2 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5777: Creating a business and occupation tax deduction and increasing the rate for persons conducting payment card processing activities.

SB 5777 creates a tax deduction for payment card processors in Washington, allowing them to subtract interchange fees and network fees from their business and occupation tax base. The bill also increases the tax rate for these processors, establishing a 1.5% rate for businesses with less than $1 million in annual revenue and a 1.75% rate for others. This directly affects companies that process electronic payments for merchants, such as credit and debit card transactions. The deduction is intended to address the unique fee structure of payment processing activities.
June Robinson (D) · 2 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1871: Incentivizing grid-connected residential battery energy storage systems.

HB 1871 creates a state incentive program to help homeowners install grid-connected residential battery storage systems, primarily benefiting low- and moderate-income households. Utilities must establish approved incentive programs requiring at least 40% of benefits to reach these households, with options for time-of-use electricity rates or participation in utility-run virtual power plants. The program mandates income verification for qualifying customers, prohibits leasing, and requires utilities to document costs and protect customer data. Approved programs must be audited biennially by Washington State University Extension. The bill aims to increase grid resilience during outages while supporting clean energy goals.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates state-funded incentive program for residential battery storage, directing public funds toward energy infrastructure with 40% benefit allocation to low/moderate-income households.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPromotes residential battery storage for grid stability and renewable integration, targeting low/moderate-income households with state incentives to advance clean energy infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes clean energy adoption by incentivizing residential battery storage, enabling renewable energy integration and reducing grid reliance on fossil fuels.92% confidence
Victoria Hunt (D) · 6 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1401: Creating the nautical Northwest special license plate.

HB 1401 creates a new "Nautical Northwest" special license plate option for Washington state vehicle owners. The bill adds this plate to the existing list of special plates, with a $40 initial fee and $30 annual renewal fee, as specified in RCW 46.68.420. The plate would display a Northwest maritime scene, allowing vehicle owners to choose it instead of standard plates. This is a procedural change adding a new voluntary license plate option, not a new tax or regulation.
Dave Paul (D) · 2 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2035: Increasing license, permit, and endorsement fees.

HB 2035 increases fees for various licenses, permits, and endorsements in Washington State, primarily affecting businesses and institutions requiring permits under the Liquor and Cannabis Board. The bill amends multiple statutes (e.g., RCW 66.24.015, 66.24.140, 66.24.520) to raise fees for specific permits, including those for hospitals, bed & breakfasts, educational wine/beer tasting programs, and liquor retailers. Key provisions require higher payments for special permits like hospital alcohol purchases, bed & breakfast wine service, and educational institution tasting programs. The changes apply directly to permit holders and licensees covered under the amended code sections, with no new permit types created. The bill focuses solely on adjusting existing fee structures without altering permit eligibility or use conditions.
Debra Lekanoff (D)
in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2024: Providing housing safety, security, and protection by creating the primary residence property tax exemption.

HB 2024 creates a state property tax exemption for Washington homeowners' primary residences, reducing their state tax burden. It exempts either $100,000 of a home's assessed value or 60% of the county's median home value (whichever is greater), applied after other existing exemptions. This directly benefits primary residence owners - especially fixed-income households and those at risk of displacement - by lowering annual state property tax costs. The exemption applies only to state levies (not local taxes) and requires an annual application by April 1st, with verification to ensure it applies to only one residence.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates property tax exemption for primary residences, reducing tax burden on fixed-income homeowners - direct tax relief aligning with support indicators.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts primary residence property taxes, reducing costs for homeowners - especially fixed-income households at risk of displacement - directly advancing housing affordability and stability.92% confidence
April Berg (D) · 17 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5027: Establishing a loan repayment program for public defense attorneys and prosecutors.

SB 5027 establishes a Washington state program to repay law school loans for public defense attorneys and prosecutors. To qualify, participants must work full-time (at 80% of the state bar’s standard caseload) in qualifying public defense or prosecution roles for three years. The program provides up to $20,000 annually for three years ($120,000 total), prioritizing rural practitioners if funding is limited. Participants must repay funds if they leave before completing the service period.
Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds public defense attorneys via state loan repayment program, increasing budget allocation for essential legal services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds public defense attorneys to ensure adequate representation, supporting fair criminal justice system and defendant rights through loan repayment program.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides loan repayment assistance ($120k total) to public defense attorneys/prosecutors, enhancing retention and financial stability for specific public sector workers in employment roles.90% confidence
Nikki Torres (R) · 17 co-sponsors
in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1299: Concerning minimum parking requirements.

HB 1299 reduces minimum parking requirements for new developments across Washington. It caps residential parking at 0.5 spaces per unit (for cities) or 1 space per unit (for code cities), and commercial parking at one space per 1,000 square feet. The bill exempts small buildings (under 1,200 sq ft residential or 5,000 sq ft commercial), affordable/senior/disabled housing, childcare, alcohol facilities, and mixed-use projects from minimum parking rules. It also allows cities to waive parking requirements for transit-accessible housing (within 1/4 mile of frequent transit) and requires local governments to assess actual parking needs case-by-case. The law directly affects developers and local governments by shifting parking mandates from rigid rules to flexible, location-based decisions.
Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingReduces parking mandates for new developments, exempting affordable housing and easing costs for developers, directly advancing housing development and affordability.92% confidence
Strom Peterson (D) · 9 co-sponsors
Showing 1,885 to 1,896 of 8,818 bills
Previous 1 … 157 158 159 … 735 Next