Washington Bills

in committee · Washington · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 2669: Requiring a performance audit of the interstate bridge replacement project replacing the Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia river.

HB 2669 requires a detailed performance audit of Washington's I-5 bridge replacement project over the Columbia River by December 1, 2027. The audit will examine how project funds were spent (including contractor payments that increased sixfold without added work), financial reporting compliance, traffic and revenue forecasts, and whether the design effectively reduces congestion. It specifically compares the project to other major bridges like Baltimore's Key Bridge and the Brent Spence Bridge. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) must provide documentation, and the audit report will be submitted to the legislature by the deadline. The bill expires December 31, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Washington · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 2667: Providing consumer protections for artificial intelligence systems.

HB 2667 requires businesses deploying "high-risk" AI systems (those making consequential decisions like hiring, loans, housing, or healthcare access) to protect consumers from algorithmic discrimination starting July 1, 2027. It mandates annual reviews of these systems to prevent unfair outcomes and establishes a rebuttable presumption of reasonable care if deployers comply with the law. The bill defines key terms like "algorithmic discrimination" and "consequential decision" to clarify which AI uses are regulated. This directly affects companies operating in Washington that use AI for high-stakes consumer decisions, aiming to balance innovation with consumer protection.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

in committee · Washington · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 2663: Creating a domestic violence offense registry.

HB 2663 proposes creating a public online registry for Washington residents convicted of repeated or felony-level domestic violence offenses. Courts would automatically add these individuals to the registry after conviction, making their name, birth date, conviction details, neighborhood address (by block), and photo searchable online. The registry would remain active indefinitely for class A felony offenders, or for 15 years (class B felonies) or 10 years (other qualifying cases) without new offenses. This bill is currently in committee review and does not apply to misdemeanor domestic violence cases.

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 6301: Providing supervision of a sexually violent predator after release or discharge.

SB 6301 modifies the conditions for releasing sexually violent predators from secure facilities into community settings. It requires courts to mandate electronic monitoring with real-time tracking, a 500-foot minimum distance from schools and child care facilities, and individualized restrictions on residence, contact with victims, substance use, and required treatment. The bill also introduces "fair share principles" to ensure releases are distributed across counties to avoid concentration in one area, and demands the department of corrections investigate and recommend release conditions within 60 days. This directly affects individuals committed as sexually violent predators who are being considered for conditional release.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Washington · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 2656: Creating a detention facility registry.

HB 2656 creates a public registry for all detention facilities in Washington, requiring them to report specific details like location, capacity, daily occupancy, and contact information. It applies to facilities holding people against their will for legal reasons (e.g., pre-trial, sentencing), excluding juvenile facilities, licensed child care agencies, mental health hospitals, and home detention settings. Facilities must register annually starting January 1, 2027, with failure to comply risking civil penalties up to $1,000 per day. The registry aims to increase transparency about detention conditions while establishing enforcement procedures for non-compliance.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Washington · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 2653: Granting counties authority to enter into a shared stewardship agreement.

HB 2653 grants Washington counties the authority to enter shared stewardship agreements with federal agencies like the U.S. Forest Service for managing forestlands near roads. The bill specifically allows counties to create "fuel breaks" (clearing vegetation to reduce wildfire risk) on federal land within one mile of roads, including highways. Crucially, it requires these agreements to include revenue sharing, ensuring counties retain proceeds from timber sales conducted in these managed areas. This directly affects counties that manage forestlands adjacent to roads, providing a new revenue stream to offset losses from reduced federal timber sales and support rural school funding.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

in committee · Washington · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 2666: Identifying African American studies curricula for students in grades seven through 12.

This bill directs Washington's Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to form a work group that identifies existing African American studies curricula used in high schools and colleges nationwide. The work group must review prior education reports, consult with historically Black colleges, and survey current programs to compile a list of approved materials. By December 2027, the office must submit this list to the legislature for school districts to consider adopting in grades 7-12. The requirement expires July 1, 2028.

Topics ✓ Education

Melanie Morgan (D) · 17 co-sponsors

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 6240: Allocating a portion of hazardous substance tax revenues derived from aviation fuel to aircraft noise and air quality mitigation.

SB 6240 redirects a portion of Washington's aviation fuel tax - specifically the amount exceeding $1.48 per barrel - to fund aircraft noise and air quality mitigation projects. This affects aviation fuel users (like airlines and airports) who pay the tax, with funds deposited into a new state account created by the bill. The key mechanism amends tax code to require 15% of the aviation fuel tax revenue above the $1.48 threshold to flow into this dedicated account. These funds will support state programs addressing noise pollution and air quality near airports. The bill does not change tax rates but reallocates existing revenue for targeted environmental mitigation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

in committee · Washington · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 2665: Requiring owners of properties used as less restrictive alternatives for sexually violent predators to make certain disclosures.

HB 2665 requires property owners purchasing land specifically to operate a "less restrictive alternative" (a housing facility for sexually violent predators under court supervision) to provide written notice before closing the sale. This notice must include the intended start date, maximum occupancy (number of predators), and names of known residents to the county sheriff, local legislators, county administrators, and county commissioners. The notification must be submitted after entering escrow but before the sale is finalized. Violating this requirement is classified as a class 1 civil infraction. The bill directly affects property purchasers planning to establish such facilities, not general property owners.

in committee · Washington · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 2652: Creating a nondisciplinary pathway for relinquishing licenses issued by the Washington medical commission.

HB 2652 creates a voluntary process for Washington medical license holders (like doctors and nurses) to permanently surrender their licenses without it being recorded as disciplinary action. The bill prohibits using this process to avoid discipline or if a license is under investigation, and specifies that relinquishment cannot be reversed or reinstated. Crucially, surrendered licenses will not appear in disciplinary databases, the national practitioner data bank, or public websites. This change directly affects medical professionals seeking to exit the profession without a disciplinary record impacting future employment or licensing.

in committee · Washington · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 2527: Increasing opportunities for tenants to own homes under eventual tenant ownership programs established under the federal low-income housing tax credit program.

This bill requires private developers using federal low-income housing tax credits to formally transfer home ownership to tenants through programs like rent-to-own or eventual tenant ownership. Developers must set aside funds, clearly inform tenants of ownership rights, and complete transfers on time per agreements. The state housing agency must monitor progress annually, investigate tenant complaints within six months, and impose penalties - including losing future tax credits - for violations. It directly affects developers participating in these federal programs and tenants seeking homeownership opportunities.

Topics ✓ Housing

passed · Washington · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SR 8664: Recognizing youth sports.

This is a symbolic Senate resolution (not a bill with binding law), adopted January 2026, that recognizes the importance of youth sports in Washington state. It highlights benefits like improved well-being, academic engagement, and reduced mental health risks, while noting unequal access for marginalized groups (girls, youth of color, low-income families, and others). The resolution calls for promoting inclusive, affordable programs, trained coaches, injury prevention, and nontraditional sports like pickleball or adaptive athletics to increase participation. It does not create new programs or funding but formally encourages state support for these goals.

Bill results