HB 1575 creates a new process for Washington property owners to quickly remove unauthorized occupants from residential properties. It allows owners (or authorized agents) to submit a verified complaint to the sheriff if the occupant entered unlawfully, wasn't a tenant or family member, and the owner previously requested departure. The sheriff must verify the complaint, serve a "vacate" notice immediately, and restore possession - potentially arresting trespassers - while charging a fee for sheriff standby during lock changes. False claims in the complaint could lead to civil liability for damages. This procedure supplements existing trespass laws but doesn't replace standard eviction processes or tenant protections.
Washington State bill SB 5472 restricts nonresident aliens (foreign nationals not living in the U.S.) from directly purchasing agricultural, forest, or mineral land after August 1, 2025, unless their home country allows U.S. citizens to own similar land there. It specifically exempts U.S. citizens with dual citizenship, land acquired through inheritance or debt collection (requiring disposal within three years), and land covered by treaties or reciprocal ownership agreements. The bill also excludes agricultural land associated with food processing facilities from these restrictions. This policy directly affects foreign individuals or entities seeking to buy farmland in Washington, while maintaining existing rights for U.S. citizens and treaty-protected owners.
Washington's SB 5302 prohibits state and local government agencies (including law enforcement) from purchasing, acquiring, or operating small drones (under 55 pounds) made by specific foreign entities. It bans the use of public funds for such drones and defines "covered foreign entities" as those on U.S. sanctions lists, based in China or Russia, or controlled by those governments. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, requiring agencies to stop using covered drones by that date. This directly affects government drone programs and procurement practices across Washington state.
SB 5624 requires the Washington State Patrol, in collaboration with the Department of Ecology, fire districts, and the towing industry, to create best practices for responding to electric vehicle (EV) fires. The guidelines must cover first responder protocols during EV collisions or fires and procedures for safely transporting, towing, and storing damaged EVs. The State Patrol must also develop checklists to improve coordination between agencies during EV fire responses, which will be shared with all fire departments across Washington. These practical tools aim to standardize safety measures as EV adoption increases.
SB 5309 establishes a flat $15 weight fee for motorcycle registrations in Washington State, replacing the previous weight-based system for motorcycles. This fee applies to all motorcycles regardless of their scale weight and is paid in addition to standard vehicle registration fees. The revenue typically funds transportation projects (under RCW 46.68.415), but would redirect to a "Connecting Washington" account if state agencies implement carbon-intensity fuel standards without new legislative approval. The bill affects motorcycle owners during registration, simplifying fees compared to the tiered system for other vehicles.
SB 5293 updates Washington's public works wage rules for construction projects. Until May 2027, it requires using the highest wage from union contracts in a county. After June 2027, it mandates adopting the wage rate covering the majority of workers in a trade (or the most common rate if no majority exists), with an appeal process for disputes. Shipbuilding and ship repair maintain a separate rule using the highest union rate. The bill directly affects construction workers and contractors on state-funded public projects.
HB 1817 requires Washington public schools to implement trauma-informed training for all staff on responding to sexual assault disclosures, including mandatory bystander intervention. It mandates that school staff receive this training during hiring and every three years, starting August 2027. The bill also directs the state superintendent to create a culturally responsive, translated student and family guide to school policies on sexual harassment and assault by November 2026. These provisions directly affect school employees, students, and families in public elementary and secondary schools across Washington.
SB 5404 establishes a new funding structure for Washington state public defense services, requiring the state to cover 50% of costs starting in 2026 based on a five-year average of county expenditures. Counties and cities that save funds due to this state contribution must redirect those savings toward specific alternatives like pretrial diversion programs, reentry services, or public defense infrastructure (e.g., IT, staffing). The bill mandates annual reporting of caseloads, attorney hours, and service quality metrics to the Office of Public Defense, which will use this data to review case categorization standards. It also allows low-population counties to transfer public defense responsibilities to the state office, with the state retaining their pro rata funding share for service delivery.
SB 5090 updates Washington's Professional Engineers' Registration Act by modernizing definitions and board composition. It removes outdated language and clarifies terms like "practice of engineering" and "significant structures" (e.g., defining hazardous facilities and large buildings). The bill requires board members to have at least 10 years of active practice in engineering or land surveying, including five years immediately prior to appointment. This affects the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors and the professionals they regulate, without changing core registration requirements for engineers or land surveyors.
HB 1323 makes it a crime to intentionally block state highways with three or more people without a permit, particularly when the action creates safety risks like impeding ambulances or causing injury. Organizers face class C felony charges with a minimum 30-day jail sentence and $5,000 fine (non-reducible below $1,000), while participants could face serious misdemeanor penalties. The law specifically targets dangerous blockades that endanger public safety or obstruct emergency response, not peaceful protests. It requires courts to impose minimum penalties for violations, including prior offenses.
SB 5073 redirects revenue from Washington state's motor vehicle sales tax to highway funding. Starting July 1, 2025, all sales tax collected on new and used vehicles (including private-party sales) must go to the motor vehicle fund for highway purposes, such as construction and preservation. The bill excludes certain vehicles from this tax, including farm tractors (unless used for marijuana production), off-road vehicles, nonhighway vehicles, bicycles, and snowmobiles. This change modifies existing tax law to ensure vehicle sales revenue directly supports highway infrastructure rather than general state funds.
HB 1470 requires Washington's developmental disabilities administration to hire two permanent full-time staff members to manage its "no-paid services" caseload. This caseload includes individuals eligible for services but not currently receiving paid support. The staff will update the caseload to track current eligible individuals, identify those interested in services within the next year, and report this data annually to the governor and legislature. The bill also mandates that individuals on this caseload receive case resource management services, including outreach about available support options. These changes aim to improve caseload accuracy and client outreach without altering eligibility criteria or funding.
