Washington Bills

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SB 6090: Establishing the heritage orchard program.

SB 6090 establishes a state program at Washington State University to conserve rare and historically significant apple varieties. The program requires WSU to maintain a registry of heritage orchards, provide preservation resources, propagate rare apple cultivars for both backyard and commercial use, and develop a list of endangered varieties. A "heritage orchard" is defined as either an orchard with five or more trees over 74 years old or containing at least one rare/lost apple variety. This bill directly affects orchard owners meeting these criteria and Washington State University, which must implement the program. The legislation aims to preserve Washington’s agricultural history by protecting apple varieties at risk of extinction.

in committee · Washington · House Jan 23, 2026

HB 2649: Requiring immediate law enforcement notification of criminal actions on public school property.

HB 2649 requires school employees and contractors to immediately notify law enforcement and school administrators about specific crimes - like assaults, thefts, or property destruction - occurring on public school property. This applies to all public schools in Washington, including charter schools and state-tribal education compact schools. The bill mandates immediate reporting as a new requirement under existing school safety laws, without changing penalties or response procedures. It directly affects school staff who witness or suspect such incidents, ensuring faster police involvement. The law aims to improve safety coordination but does not alter how schools handle incidents beyond the reporting obligation.

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SB 6072: Concerning veterinarian-client-patient relationships.

SB 6072 defines when a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) exists, requiring a physical exam within the past year (or specific telehealth exceptions for transport/emergencies) before telemedicine can be used for ongoing care. It mandates that telehealth prescriptions for animals are limited to three months unless a physical exam is needed, and extends the VCPR to all veterinarians at the same practice location. For farm animals, the bill requires a written agreement naming a "vet of record" accountable for drug oversight and treatment protocols. The law also restricts telehealth services to specific scenarios like emergency triage or poison control when no VCPR exists.

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SB 6299: Concerning artificial intelligence and instructional staff.

This bill prohibits using artificial intelligence to replace certified teachers or support staff (paraeducators) in Washington schools. It allows AI to supplement or enhance instruction but explicitly bans its use for replacing human educators. The law directly affects public schools and instructional staff by setting clear boundaries for AI integration in classrooms. It creates a new legal standard in education policy without specifying implementation details.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment ✗ Technology

in committee · Washington · House Jan 23, 2026

HB 2646: Mitigating disputes between unit owners and unit owners associations under the Washington uniform common interest ownership act.

HB 2646 modifies Washington's rules for resolving disputes between homeowners and their neighborhood associations (HOAs) under the Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act. It requires homeowners to give associations 21 days to fix violations before suing, and mandates courts to award winning homeowners actual damages plus attorney fees. The bill also allows parties to voluntarily use mediation or other dispute resolution methods. These changes directly affect homeowners and HOAs by clarifying legal processes and increasing accountability for associations.

in committee · Washington · House Jan 23, 2026

HB 2651: Gathering and preserving digital data and evidence relating to federal agent misconduct.

HB 2651 allows Washington's Attorney General or county prosecutors to direct the state patrol to collect and securely retain digital evidence identifying federal agents accused of misconduct, such as location data, cell tower records, or facial recognition information. It applies to federal law enforcement officers and Department of Homeland Security contractors accused of misconduct like excessive force, assault, or constitutional rights violations. Complainants can only access this digital evidence through a court order in a related civil rights or criminal case. The bill establishes a clear process for gathering and limiting access to this data, focusing on factual evidence for accountability.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

in committee · Washington · House Jan 23, 2026

HB 2643: Concerning the due process requirements and the procedures of a peace officer being placed on Brady and Giglio lists.

HB 2643 protects peace officers from disciplinary action solely based on being listed on prosecutor-maintained "Brady and Giglio lists" (which flag officers with potential impeachment evidence). It requires law enforcement agencies to base discipline on the underlying misconduct, not the list placement itself. The bill grants officers a due process right to challenge their listing in superior court, where evidence is reviewed confidentially under seal, with a preponderance-of-evidence standard. This ensures officers can contest their inclusion without public disclosure, while preserving prosecutors' legal duty to share impeachment evidence under Brady/Giglio.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SJR 8209: Concerning property tax relief.

SJR 8209 proposes a constitutional amendment to create two property tax relief mechanisms in Washington State: a homestead exemption for primary homeowners (limiting state property taxes on their residence to a fixed dollar amount) and a renter's credit refunding part of rent paid by qualifying tenants. Both provisions require future legislation to set specific dollar amounts, with the renter's credit capped at the same maximum as the homeowner exemption. The amendment would need voter approval to take effect, as it modifies the state constitution, and would not shift tax burdens to other property types or increase overall tax rates.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

in committee · Washington · House Jan 23, 2026

HJM 4013: Urging Governor Ferguson to establish a framework with the legislature to opt Washington state into the federal tax-credit scholarship program for K-12 educational expenses.

HJM 4013 is a joint memorial urging Governor Ferguson to opt Washington state into a federal tax-credit scholarship program for K-12 education. It would direct approximately $732 million annually in unused federal funds to Washington students from working-class and middle-class families (household income ≤300% of area median income) through tax credits for donors. The program requires no state funding, imposes no budget obligation, and mandates scholarship organizations to spend at least 90% of funds on student expenses like tutoring and technology while meeting strict federal accountability standards. Failure to opt in would prevent Washington families from accessing these federal resources, which would instead benefit students in states that have joined the program.

Topics ✓ Education

Michael Keaton (R) · 23 co-sponsors

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SB 6295: Concerning property tax relief for homeowners and renters.

SB 6295 creates a new homestead property tax exemption program primarily for homeowners in Washington. It exempts the first $500,000 of assessed value for eligible primary residences (including single-family homes, multi-unit dwellings with separate taxation, and certain manufactured/mobile homes) starting in 2028. The exemption amount increases annually based on state levy growth and requires homeowners to claim it annually by June 30th through county assessors. This policy directly affects Washington homeowners who qualify as primary residents, reducing their state property tax burden without impacting existing exemptions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Washington · House Jan 23, 2026

HB 2642: Exempting emissions associated with lubricants from coverage under the cap and invest program.

HB 2642 exempts emissions from lubricants (and certain other fuel products) combusted outside Washington from the state's cap-and-invest program requirements. It amends the definition of "covered entities" under Washington's climate law to exclude emissions associated with lubricants produced or imported for use outside the state. This means companies manufacturing or importing lubricants that are shipped out of Washington for combustion elsewhere would no longer have those emissions counted toward the 25,000 metric ton CO2e threshold that triggers participation in the cap-and-invest program. The bill directly affects lubricant producers and importers whose products are delivered outside Washington for end-use. This change reduces reporting obligations for these entities under the program's current structure.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 23, 2026

SB 6293: Establishing a pilot program for posttraumatic stress disorder treatment and research.

SB 6293 establishes a pilot program to fund workplace-based treatment and research for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in high-risk occupations, such as first responders, where workers face repetitive trauma exposure. The bill amends state law to allow the Department of Labor & Industries to use medical aid fund resources for grants supporting the development and evaluation of PTSD treatment programs in these workplaces. The pilot is limited to specific high-risk occupations and will be assessed for effectiveness before potential expansion. This initiative aims to reduce long-term disability by addressing PTSD early within the state's workers' compensation system.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results