Washington Bills

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1224: Modifying the working families' tax credit by enhancing collection services and increasing participation rates through data-sharing agreements.

HB 1224 proposes to modify Washington State's Working Families' Tax Credit to make it easier for eligible low-income residents to claim the benefit. The bill would enhance the credit's administration by allowing the Department of Revenue to use data-sharing agreements with other agencies (like the Department of Social and Health Services) to verify eligibility and reduce application barriers. Eligible individuals - defined as Washington residents who file federal tax returns and meet income thresholds - would receive annual refunds ranging from $300 (no qualifying children) to $1,200 (three or more children), adjusted for inflation. The changes aim to increase participation rates by streamlining the application process and clarifying eligibility rules, though the bill remains pending in the legislature as of its January 2025 introduction.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5521: Improving traffic safety.

SB 5521 establishes a grant program to fund nonpunitive solutions for low-income drivers facing nonmoving traffic violations (like expired registration or paperwork issues). It directs the state department to award grants to cities, tribes, nonprofits, and others for programs such as helmet vouchers, registration fee offsets, or community workshops. The bill also creates new rules for traffic stops, requiring officers to report detailed data (including race and ethnicity) and limiting stops for nonmoving violations to secondary offenses unless safety risks exist. It directly affects low-income road users (defined as those on public assistance, WIC, Medicaid, or earning under 125% of the federal poverty level) and law enforcement agencies. The policy aims to reduce racial disparities in traffic stops while helping vulnerable drivers avoid fines that disrupt work and economic stability.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1424: Concerning transparency, public safety, and independent oversight of the city, county, and regional jail system in Washington state.

HB 1424 creates an independent Jail Oversight Board within the governor's office to improve transparency and safety in Washington's city, county, and regional jails. The board, appointed by the governor, will include seven members representing diverse perspectives such as jail administrators, health care providers, and individuals with lived experience of incarceration. Its role is to ensure safe and humane conditions for jail staff and people held in custody while promoting a more rehabilitative approach to jail operations. This new oversight structure replaces the previous system eliminated in 1987 and aligns with practices in 29 other states.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

Edwin Obras (D) · 18 co-sponsors

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5497: Concerning compliance with siting, development permit processes and standards, and requirements for permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, indoor emergency housing, or indoor emergency shelters.

SB 5497 requires Washington local governments (cities and counties) to approve permits for permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, indoor emergency housing, or shelters through administrative processes only - preventing discretionary denials based on local comprehensive plans or regulations. If local rules block such projects, applicants can request a waiver of specific requirements, and the state department must resolve disputes. Noncompliant local governments face enforcement, including state withholding of certain tax revenues (like motor vehicle fuel or sales taxes) if they fail to issue permits or amend zoning rules within 60 days. The bill directly affects housing developers seeking these facilities and local governments managing land use approvals.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1118: Concerning restoration of the right to possess a firearm.

HB 1118 changes Washington's process for restoring firearm rights to individuals previously banned from owning guns. It allows people with certain past convictions (like nonviolent misdemeanors or specific felonies) to petition a court for restored rights after meeting strict requirements, including 3-5 years of clean records and completing all court-ordered obligations. The bill adds procedural steps, such as requiring courts to verify eligibility with law enforcement, notifying victims of the petition, and using standardized court forms starting in 2024. It does not apply to those convicted of violent felonies, sex offenses, or crimes with 20+ year sentences.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1110: Vacating convictions for driving under the influence.

HB 1110 allows individuals convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) or related offenses (RCW 46.61.502/504) to apply to have their conviction records vacated, meaning the conviction is removed from their legal record. To qualify, applicants must have completed all sentence terms (including fines), have no pending charges, and not have recent alcohol/drug violations or domestic violence convictions. The bill specifically restricts vacating records for DUI offenses if the applicant has a subsequent DUI conviction within five years, is on probation for a DUI, or holds a commercial driver's license. It also includes special provisions for victims of trafficking or domestic violence. This process applies only to misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor DUI convictions meeting all specified criteria.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5136: Protecting the rights of parents and guardians by using students' given names in public schools.

SB 5136, the "Given Name Act," requires Washington public schools to use students' birth certificate names and pronouns matching their biological sex (as listed on their birth certificate) without parental written permission. School staff - including teachers, administrators, and support workers - must follow this rule unless parents provide specific written consent for alternative names or pronouns. The bill also allows school employees to refuse using non-biological-sex pronouns based on religious or moral beliefs and permits affected individuals to seek legal recourse for violations. It applies to all K-12 public school employees and students under 18, with no exceptions for discussing gender identity outside school duties.

Topics ✗ Education

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1188: Requiring local government and tribal approval of wind and solar siting recommendations by the energy facility site evaluation council.

HB 1188 requires the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council to obtain written approval from both the local county government and affected federally recognized tribes before recommending wind or solar energy projects to the governor. For these projects, the council must submit siting recommendations simultaneously to county legislative bodies and tribes, who then have 90 days to approve via resolution or request reconsideration. The governor cannot approve any project without receiving all required local and tribal approval resolutions. This directly affects wind/solar developers, county governments, and tribal nations in Washington State, changing the approval process for these renewable energy facilities.

Topics ✗ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1603: Requiring guaranteed issue of medicare supplemental coverage to an individual who voluntarily disenrolls from a medicare advantage plan and enrolls in medicare parts A and B.

HB 1603 requires insurers to offer Medicare supplemental (Medigap) coverage without health-based denial to Washington residents who voluntarily leave a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) and switch to Original Medicare (Parts A and B). The bill mandates that eligible individuals - specifically those who disenroll from Medicare Advantage and enroll in Parts A/B - must be guaranteed access to a Medigap plan within 63 days of disenrollment, provided they submit proof of termination. This applies to all insurers offering Medigap plans to new enrollees, prohibiting discrimination based on health status or preexisting conditions during this transition window. The policy directly affects seniors switching from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare, ensuring they can maintain supplemental coverage without barriers. The bill amends Washington’s RCW 48.66.055 to codify this "guaranteed issue" requirement under subsection (3)(b)(E).

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5326: Accessing an emergency supply of insulin.

SB 5326 creates a Washington State program to provide one emergency 30-day insulin supply per year for $10 out-of-pocket to eligible residents. It directly affects Washington residents who lack insurance coverage that already limits insulin costs to $35 or less per 30-day supply, have a valid prescription, and have less than a seven-day supply available. The program uses electronic vouchers redeemable at contracted pharmacies, with pharmacies submitting claims for reimbursement from the state's prescription drug consortium. The consortium then invoices insulin manufacturers for reimbursement within 30 days, with fines for nonpayment. This is a direct policy change to improve short-term insulin access for uninsured or underinsured Washington residents.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1523: Establishing the essential worker health care program.

HB 1523 establishes the Essential Worker Health Care Program to provide nursing home workers in Washington with access to high-quality, affordable health coverage through their employers. Participating nursing home operators receive supplemental funding to support multiemployer health plans, while committing to maintain or increase their spending on employee health benefits (adjusted for inflation) and use funds to supplement, not replace, existing coverage. Employers must document prior health care spending, allocate funds through certified health plans, and report annually on benefit improvements. The program targets workforce instability in nursing homes - where many workers are women of color and immigrants - by aiming to reduce turnover and improve care quality through better health care access.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Nicole Macri (D) · 17 co-sponsors

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1917: Concerning management of individuals who are placed in juvenile rehabilitation institutions.

HB 1917 updates Washington State's juvenile justice system by redefining key terms and requiring courts to prioritize less restrictive options before placing youth in residential treatment. It mandates that courts consider alternatives like community-based rehabilitation (e.g., counseling, school programs) or community supervision (including up to 150 hours of community restitution) before ordering inpatient care. The bill also requires mandatory court review hearings within 60 days of inpatient placement and every 30 days thereafter, ensuring ongoing assessment of necessity. These changes directly affect youth in the juvenile justice system and the courts, agencies, and facilities managing their cases, with a focus on trauma-informed, culturally responsive support during reentry.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill results