Washington Bills

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1214: Expanding eligibility for the working families' tax credit to everyone age 18 and older.

HB 1214 expands Washington's Working Families' Tax Credit to include all residents aged 18 and older, removing a prior age restriction that limited eligibility to those under 18. The bill updates eligibility rules in the tax code to allow individuals who meet federal credit requirements (including filing a federal return and meeting income thresholds) to qualify regardless of age, as long as they were 18 or older by the end of the prior tax year. It maintains existing credit amounts ($300-$1,200 based on children) and calculation methods, with annual inflation adjustments. This change directly affects low-income Washington residents aged 18+ who previously may have been excluded due to age.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5793: Concerning employer contributions and incentives for public and school employee health benefit plans.

SB 5793 eliminates Washington State's "Smart Health" wellness program and sets new employer contribution rates for public and school employee health benefits during the 2027-2029 fiscal biennium. The bill specifically ends the wellness incentive program (including the Smart Health online portal) effective January 1, 2028, while allowing employees who qualified by December 31, 2027, to receive incentives in 2028. It requires the Public Employees' Benefits Board to maintain health benefits substantially equivalent to those in effect in 1993, but allows flexibility in contribution rates due to budget constraints. The bill directly affects all public and school employees enrolled in the state's health benefit plans, particularly those previously participating in the Smart Health wellness program.

Topics ✗ Healthcare ✗ Labor & Employment

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1147: Supporting civic engagement for incarcerated and institutionalized individuals in state custody to promote inclusion and rehabilitation.

HB 1147 grants incarcerated individuals in Washington state prisons, residential habilitation centers, and state hospitals the right to civic engagement. It requires state agencies to facilitate activities like forming political advocacy groups, using facility spaces for meetings, participating in virtual forums with community groups, and accessing educational resources - without fear of punishment. The bill establishes a Civic Engagement Coordinator within the Office of Equity to handle complaints and ensure agencies uphold these rights. This policy directly affects justice-involved individuals by expanding their ability to participate in civic processes during their time in state custody.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1082: Concerning qualifications for child care providers.

HB 1082 allows licensed child care providers in Washington to use documented work experience instead of formal early childhood education certificates to meet licensing requirements until August 1, 2028. To qualify, providers must show continuous employment since August 1, 2021 (or seven cumulative years), active work requiring such certificates, and completion of required health/safety training. The bill also requires the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to form a stakeholder group - including providers, training organizations, and community advocates - to review and improve staff qualification systems, with a report due by December 2026. This law expires July 1, 2028, and does not apply to providers serving the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP).

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1782: Amending the timeline for reporting campaign contributions and expenditures.

HB 1782 updates campaign finance reporting deadlines for candidates, political committees, and incidental committees in Washington State. It shortens pre-election reporting windows (from 21 to 20 days and 7 to 6 days before elections), requires monthly reports only when contributions or expenditures exceed $200, and mandates weekly deposit reports on Mondays during the final month before elections. The bill also tightens bookkeeping requirements, requiring current records within 5 business days (1 day during the 10 days before elections) and public inspection access during specified hours. These changes directly affect campaign treasurers and committees managing election finances, aiming to improve transparency through more frequent reporting.

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1404: Increasing student access to free meals served at public schools.

HB 1404 expands access to free school meals in Washington state by removing income-based eligibility requirements. It mandates that all public school students who request a meal receive it at no cost, regardless of family income, to address food insecurity and support academic success. The bill amends several education funding statutes (including RCW 28A.235.135 and 28A.235.160) to align meal access with this new policy. It directly affects every public school student in Washington, ensuring no child experiences hunger during the school day. The policy change replaces previous tiered eligibility systems with universal free meals for all requesting students.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

April Berg (D) · 33 co-sponsors

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5336: Concerning protections for isolated employees.

SB 5336 requires employers (including hotels, retail stores, security companies, and property services contractors) to implement specific protections for "isolated employees" - workers like janitors, security guards, and hotel housekeepers who spend most of their time working alone. Key provisions mandate employers to adopt sexual harassment policies, provide mandatory training on preventing harassment and using panic buttons, supply panic buttons to isolated employees, and maintain records of training and button usage. Employers must also submit annual reports on training and work locations to the Department of Labor and Industries. Violations can result in civil penalties of up to $10,000 per repeat willful offense, with enforcement handled through department investigations and citations.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1417: Establishing an embodied carbon tax on cigarettes.

HB 1417 imposes a new $0.0015 per cigarette tax based on the carbon emissions from cigarette production ("embodied carbon"), starting October 1, 2025. The tax increases every five years beginning October 2030 by 25% plus the annual inflation rate (measured by CPI), rounded to the nearest cent. This tax applies to cigarette manufacturers or sellers who collect it at the point of sale, with all revenue deposited into the state's general fund. The bill directly affects cigarette producers and retailers by adding this carbon-based tax to existing cigarette excise taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1220: Concerning appropriate response to assaults by individuals in behavioral health crisis.

HB 1220 creates an exception to assault charges for individuals in behavioral health crisis who assault healthcare providers while receiving treatment. It specifically exempts such assaults from third-degree assault charges when the victim is a nurse, physician, or health care provider performing duties during behavioral health treatment under chapters 71.05, 71.34, or 10.77 of the Revised Code of Washington. This applies only when the person is detained, pending evaluation, or receiving voluntary in-patient behavioral health treatment. The bill modifies existing assault law to prevent criminal prosecution in these specific crisis treatment scenarios.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5782: Concerning impaired driving.

Washington's SB 5782 updates impaired driving laws by establishing a 0.08% blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit and a 5.00 ng/mL THC concentration limit for DUI charges. It creates new affirmative defenses allowing defendants to prove they consumed alcohol or cannabis *after* driving but *before* testing, but requires them to notify prosecutors early in the case. The bill also clarifies that blood/breath tests taken over two hours after driving can still be used as evidence for impairment. Repeat offenses involving prior DUI convictions or vehicular crimes become class B felonies, while first offenses remain gross misdemeanors. This directly affects drivers in Washington facing DUI charges, particularly those using cannabis.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1897: Concerning liability protections for community public safety programs.

HB 1897 creates legal liability protection for community-based public safety programs in Washington State. It shields these programs, their volunteers, and staff from lawsuits when providing core services - like outreach, case management, shelter, housing, or transportation - to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises, complex needs, or past legal system involvement, as long as actions are taken in good faith. The protection specifically covers activities directly tied to the program's purpose of addressing public safety issues as an alternative to jail or prosecution. However, it does not apply to cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct. This bill directly affects organizations responding to unmanaged substance use, mental health challenges, or poverty-related public order issues.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1396: Increasing transparency and accountability of the office of corrections ombuds.

HB 1396 creates an advisory council to increase transparency and accountability for Washington State's Office of Corrections Ombuds. The council, composed of 11 members including currently and formerly incarcerated individuals, family members, and experts in diversity and disability, will advise the ombuds on priorities and provide feedback on reports. The bill requires the ombuds to consult the council, share deidentified data and trends, and submit annual reports detailing complaints, investigations, and stakeholder input. It also mandates the ombuds to actively solicit feedback from incarcerated people and implement anti-racist training for council members. This bill directly affects incarcerated individuals, their families, and the ombuds office by restructuring oversight processes to center lived experience.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill results