Washington Bills

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5668: Ensuring timely, efficient, and evidence-based additions to newborn screenings.

SB 5668 requires Washington's state board of health to update newborn screening panels by July 2026 to align with the federal recommended screening panel, adding conditions like metabolic disorders within 12 months of federal updates. It mandates a feasibility review for new additions, assessing costs, available funding, treatment access, and screening technology before implementation. The bill directly affects newborns (through expanded screening), hospitals (which collect blood samples), and the Department of Health (which administers the program and fees). It also allows public petitions for new screenings if scientific evidence supports them, ensuring additions are evidence-based and timely. The law modifies existing statutes to streamline this process while maintaining parental opt-out rights for religious reasons.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5806: Creating a voluntary disclosure program within the department of revenue.

SB 5806 creates a voluntary tax disclosure program allowing unregistered taxpayers to come forward, pay overdue taxes without penalties or interest, and register permanently. It directly affects businesses or individuals who engaged in taxable activities without proper registration but have not committed fraud or evasion. To qualify, applicants must submit a registration application before department contact, disclose all past taxable activity, and attest under penalty of perjury. The program runs from July 1 to September 30, 2025, and does not apply to taxes already paid before July 1, 2025, or to unremitted sales taxes collected from buyers.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5788: Achieving budget savings in certain policies that have yet to take effect.

SB 5788 adjusts income eligibility thresholds for Washington's Working Connections Child Care program, expanding access to families with higher incomes. It phases in three income tiers: current eligibility (≤60% of median income), new eligibility (60-75% starting July 2025), and further expanded eligibility (75-85% starting July 2027), all adjusted for family size. The bill modifies implementation timelines to manage fiscal impact for these expanded eligibility levels, ensuring gradual program scaling. It directly affects families seeking subsidized child care who previously exceeded income limits but now qualify under the new phased thresholds.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5335: Establishing the rural nursing education program.

SB 5335 establishes a state-funded rural nursing education program to address nurse shortages in Washington's underserved rural communities. The program provides distance learning and support services - including childcare, transportation assistance, and internet access - to nursing students who commit to working in rural areas after graduation. It requires collaboration between rural hospitals, academic institutions, and community partners to create tailored training models and address workforce barriers like high urban salaries and pandemic-related burnout. The bill targets Washington’s 39 critical access hospitals and aims to build a sustainable pipeline of local nurses for rural health facilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 2055: Establishing a state revenue limit and directing excess revenues be deposited in the budget stabilization account.

HB 2055 establishes a yearly limit on Washington state revenue growth, calculated using inflation and population changes, to prevent budget expansions without new funding. It requires the state revenue limit committee to adjust this cap annually based on actual collections and economic data, and lowers the limit if state programs shift funding away from the general fund. The bill mandates that any revenue exceeding this limit - after accounting for constitutional transfers - must be deposited into the budget stabilization account by June 30 each year. This directly affects state budgeting processes and the management of the stabilization fund, which holds reserves for economic downturns.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1748: Conducting a study of credit history, credit-based insurance scores, and other rate factors in making rates for personal insurance.

HB 1748 requires Washington's Insurance Commissioner to study how insurers use credit history, credit-based insurance scores, and other rate factors when setting personal insurance premiums, particularly focusing on whether these practices disproportionately affect residents based on race, ethnicity, sex, socioeconomic status, or national origin. The study will collect data from insurers, analyze current practices and potential alternatives, and assess impacts on consumer costs and insurance availability. The Commissioner must submit a preliminary report by December 2025 and a final report by September 2026 with findings and policy options. This study does not change current insurance practices but aims to inform future legislative decisions about rate-setting factors. The bill expires December 31, 2033.

Osman Salahuddin (D) · 20 co-sponsors

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1773: Creating a wage replacement program for certain Washington workers excluded from unemployment insurance.

HB 1773 creates a state-administered wage replacement program for Washington workers excluded from traditional unemployment insurance, such as gig workers, domestic workers, and others not covered by standard UI. It directly affects eligible residents who meet specific Washington residency requirements (e.g., utility bills, school enrollment, or state ID) and experienced job loss. Key provisions include establishing a dedicated wage replacement account for funding payments, requiring the state to contract a third-party administrator to process applications and disburse funds, and forming an advisory committee with worker, immigrant, and employer representation. The program aims to provide financial support during unemployment for this excluded group, with implementation required by July 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Julio Cortes (D) · 24 co-sponsors

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1235: Ensuring compliance with the housing element requirements of the growth management act.

HB 1235 requires Washington counties and cities to submit housing elements and development regulations to the state Department of Commerce for compliance review before they take effect. Jurisdictions must submit applications within 10 days of amendments or by six months after comprehensive plan updates, with the department issuing a final compliance decision within 90 days. The bill establishes a public compliance list showing each local government’s submission status and review outcome, and prohibits denying affordable housing projects without meeting specific conditions, such as having a state compliance determination. This directly affects all local governments required to plan under the Growth Management Act, ensuring their housing plans align with state laws on affordability, environmental standards, and zoning.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5670: Creating the fuel tax assistance grant program.

SB 5670 creates a state grant program to help rural school districts with large geographic areas (450 square miles or more) offset rising transportation costs from increased fuel prices. The program, administered by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, provides direct financial assistance for fuel-related expenses in school transportation. It specifically targets districts facing higher costs due to their extensive service areas. The grant is funded through appropriations and focuses solely on mitigating fuel cost impacts for eligible rural schools.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5413: Establishing limitations on detached accessory dwelling units outside urban growth areas.

SB 5413 sets new limits for detached accessory dwelling units (secondary housing units on the same property as a main home) outside urban growth areas in Washington County. It requires counties to enforce specific rules, including a 1,296-square-foot size limit for units, documentation of water/sewer capacity, placement within 150 feet of the main home, and restrictions on short-term rentals (requiring owner occupancy). Counties must also track permits annually, update land use plans to account for these units, and implement enforcement measures like double permit fees for unpermitted units or $1,000+ fines. The bill applies to rural properties outside designated urban boundaries and does not affect existing county ordinances or urban-area rules.

Topics ✗ Housing

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5308: Establishing the Washington guaranteed admissions program and requiring student notifications.

SB 5308 establishes Washington's Guaranteed Admissions Program, requiring participating public four-year colleges (including regional universities, state colleges, and tribal institutions) to simplify admissions applications and guarantee admission to eligible high school seniors starting in 2026-27. The bill mandates schools to share student data (like GPA) with colleges and requires all high schools to notify students in grades 9-12 about college pathways, including this program, the Washington College Grant, and financial aid options. Participating institutions must report annually on admission rates, enrollment, and demographic data to track equity outcomes. This directly affects high school students seeking college access and public institutions managing admissions.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1892: Concerning the establishment of liability standards for state legislators.

HB 1892 allows individuals injured by someone released before trial (due to a law making pretrial release easier for violent offenders) to sue state legislators who voted for that law. It requires legislators to conduct a written risk assessment analyzing public safety risks, victim rights, and alternatives to pretrial detention before voting. If a court finds a legislator "intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly disregarded" public harm risks when voting, they face personal liability for legal costs and damages - overriding typical legislative immunity. The bill applies only to injuries occurring after its effective date and does not affect existing legal defenses for legislators.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill results