Washington Bills

in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 5960: Restoring and sustaining healthy ungulate populations.

This bill requires Washington's wildlife department to act when key ungulate populations (like mule deer and white-tailed deer) decline 25% below their 10-year average in areas where gray wolves are no longer federally protected. Within 60 days of such a decline, the department must implement predator mitigation (including targeted wolf removal or relocation) and monitor recovery until populations meet or exceed 2004 harvest levels for two consecutive years. It mandates annual, collaborative population surveys with hunters and public reporting of results by March 31st each year. The law directly affects rural communities dependent on hunting tourism, tribal and nontribal hunters, and the state wildlife department, which must coordinate with sportsmen groups and report progress to the legislature annually.

in committee · Washington · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2607: Concerning child care rate regions.

HB 2607 sets new standards for Washington state's child care subsidy rates, directly affecting licensed and certified child care providers who receive state-funded payments. Starting July 2026, base rates must reach the 85th percentile of local market rates (based on a pre-May 2025 survey), with regional adjustments for cost of living and economic differences like rural vs. urban areas. The law requires the state department to review and update regional rates every four years starting in 2026, ensuring no provider loses funding due to these changes. It also mandates developing a cost model to eventually cover full high-quality care costs and preserves collective bargaining rights for family child care providers.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Washington · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2587: Establishing a pilot program to advance funds to nonprofits to support grant performance.

This bill establishes a temporary pilot program allowing Washington state agencies to advance up to 25% of a grant (capped at $200,000) to eligible public benefit nonprofits. It directly affects nonprofits that received state grants for public health, safety, welfare, or state benefit programs within six months, have a budget under $5 million, and have operated for at least three years with satisfactory past performance. The advance funds must be repaid from future grant payments, require a binding contract, and are limited to one-time use. The program expires June 30, 2029, and requires a 2028 report evaluating its effectiveness and recommending future action.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Washington · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2601: Addressing motorcycle weight fees.

HB 2601 establishes a new tiered fee structure for motorcycle registrations in Washington State, charging $15 for all motorcycles (regardless of weight) and increasing fees for heavier models (e.g., $35 for 4,000 pounds, $65 for 6,000 pounds, and $96 for 16,000 pounds or more). Motor homes will pay a flat $75 fee instead of the motorcycle-based fee. The state will use manufacturer-provided weight data to determine vehicle weight, and all fees will fund transportation projects. This new structure takes effect July 1, 2027, and expires January 1, 2029, after which a revised fee schedule becomes active.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

in committee · Washington · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2305: Clarifying that travel vans are not motor homes for purposes associated with vehicle registration.

HB 2305 clarifies that travel vans - vehicles designed as compact living spaces with a shorter front-to-body distance than trucks - are legally distinct from motor homes for vehicle registration and tax purposes. The bill adds a specific definition of "travel van" to state law and explicitly excludes these vehicles from the motor vehicle excise tax, which currently applies to motor homes but not to campers or travel trailers. This change directly affects owners of travel vans who previously might have been incorrectly classified under motor home tax rules. The policy ensures travel van owners, who typically pay tax on other vehicles, are not subject to additional excise tax based on their van's use. The bill amends Washington’s vehicle registration and tax statutes to formally include travel vans in the existing tax exemptions.

in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 5852: Concerning immigrant worker protections.

SB 5852 requires Washington employers to notify workers and their representatives within 72 hours if a federal agency conducts an inspection of employment verification forms (I-9) or worker records. It mandates posting multilingual notices in workplaces and sending written notices to all current and recent workers (within the last three years), including details about the federal agency and inspection. The law aims to ensure immigrant workers are informed during federal immigration enforcement actions, with notices required in the five most commonly used non-English languages in the state. Employers must also provide affected workers with copies of federal inspection results. This applies to all Washington employers, including state agencies and businesses.

Topics ✓ Immigration ✓ Labor & Employment

Rebecca Saldaña (D) · 26 co-sponsors

in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 5884: Expanding the limited sales and use tax incentive program to encourage redevelopment of underutilized property.

SB 5884 expands a sales and use tax deferral program to incentivize redevelopment of underutilized property in qualifying cities (with populations of 135,000-275,000). It directly affects property owners who develop affordable housing - both rental and homeownership - for low- or moderate-income households, as defined by federal income thresholds. The key mechanism allows qualifying developers to defer paying sales and use taxes on eligible projects, provided they maintain affordable housing for at least 10 years. This applies to vacant land, partially used land, or underutilized property (like surface parking lots) identified by city authorities as suitable for affordable housing redevelopment.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

in committee · Washington · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2132: Concerning applications for state financial aid.

HB 2132 protects student privacy for Washington state financial aid applications by making personally identifying and financial information exempt from public records requests. It limits how long institutions and the state council retain application records (one year after the award year ends, unless an audit or appeal is pending) and restricts sharing this data with other entities, including the federal government, without a court order or specific data-sharing agreements. The bill directly affects students applying for state financial aid (excluding the federal FAFSA) and state agencies handling these applications. Key provisions include strict privacy safeguards for sensitive data and clear limits on data sharing to prevent unauthorized disclosure.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

Mari Leavitt (D) · 19 co-sponsors

in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 5930: Concerning irrigation district director beneficial interests in contracts.

SB 5930 clarifies conflict-of-interest rules for irrigation district directors to prevent unintended barriers in rural communities. It amends Washington’s municipal conflict law (RCW 42.23.030) to allow directors to have beneficial interests in contracts up to $24,000 annually with annual cost-of-living adjustments tied to the Consumer Price Index. The bill specifically targets irrigation districts (not all municipalities), ensuring rural communities can retain qualified directors without violating conflict rules. It maintains public transparency by requiring districts to publicly list such contracts.

in committee · Washington · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2212: Reducing microplastic pollution from washing machines.

HB 2212 requires new commercial and industrial washing machines sold in Washington to include microfiber filters that capture tiny plastic fibers (under 5mm) starting July 1, 2028, with existing machines needing filters by July 1, 2034. It mandates clear labeling on machines and regular filter maintenance to prevent microplastics - released in high numbers per laundry load - from entering waterways. The bill also allows for future residential machine requirements if other states adopt similar rules and costs stay below $70 per unit. Violations face civil penalties up to $10,000 per offense, enforced by the Department of Ecology. This targets a major pollution source linked to health and marine ecosystem risks.

Topics ✓ Environment

Gerry Pollet (D) · 21 co-sponsors

in committee · Washington · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 1542: Concerning senior independent housing.

HB 1542 establishes specific rights for residents in senior independent housing communities - defined as housing for people 55+ who live independently without medical assistance (excluding assisted living or nursing homes). It guarantees rights including freedom from discrimination, the ability to install security devices like cameras, organize meetings, and receive timely emergency responses from management. Violations by housing providers would be treated as unfair trade practices under Washington’s consumer protection law (Chapter 19.86 RCW). The law directly affects senior residents and their housing providers, creating enforceable standards for treatment and safety.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 5652: Reducing environmental and health disparities and improving the health of Washington state residents in large port districts.

SB 5652 requires Washington state port districts with major projects (like airport expansions over $8 million) to create environmental justice plans by 2026. These plans must address health disparities in overburdened communities near ports by setting goals, tracking progress, and ensuring equitable community input. The bill mandates that ports conduct health impact assessments using University of Washington data for new projects and publicly share mitigation strategies. It directly affects port districts managing large infrastructure projects, aiming to reduce pollution-related health risks for vulnerable populations.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare

Bill results