HB 1274 Washington House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning retroactively applying the requirement to exclude certain juvenile convictions from an offender score regardless of the date of the offense.

HB 1274 retroactively removes certain juvenile convictions from sentencing calculations for people incarcerated under sentences imposed before July 23, 2023. It allows eligible individuals - currently incarcerated with a release date on or after July 1, 2026 - to petition for resentencing if they have served specific percentages of their sentence (e.g., 80% by 2026, 60% by 2026, 40% by 2027, or any time after 2028). The bill requires courts to grant resentencing unless the petitioner has serious disciplinary violations, lacks rehabilitation evidence, or poses a high recidivism risk. This applies specifically to those impacted by prior juvenile convictions that were counted in adult sentencing under outdated rules, disproportionately affecting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Jan 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Bill → Substitute Bill · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered and its title changed to reflect it as a substitute bill. The most significant change is the restructuring of eligibility criteria for resentencing hearings, which now includes a new tier of requirements effective July 1, 2026, allowing inmates to petition earlier if they have served 80% of their sentence or 20 years, rather than waiting until 2027. Additionally, the bill was reorganized to move victim rights and funding provisions to later subsections, and a new provision was added allowing county courts to hear petitions if they have the capacity to do so.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding eligibility for resentencing hearings was expanded by introducing a new set of criteria that allows inmates to petition sooner than previously required, specifically after July 1, 2026.

TIMELINE

The earliest date for a resentencing hearing was moved from January 1, 2026, to July 1, 2026, as part of a new eligibility tier.

ELIGIBILITY

New eligibility requirements were added allowing inmates to petition for resentencing after July 1, 2026, if they have served 80% of their sentence or 20 years.

REQUIREMENT

A new provision was added allowing county superior courts to hear petitions if the presiding judge determines the county has the capacity to proceed.

STRUCTURE

The bill was reorganized, moving victim rights, funding, and training provisions to later subsections and renumbering the sections.

TECHNICAL

The bill number was changed from H-0470.1 to H-0856.1, and the title was updated to 'Substitute House Bill 1274' with a new reading date.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to Appropriations.

lower

Jan 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Rules Committee relieved of further consideration.

lower

Jan 12, 2026

Introduced

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

lower

Feb 28, 2025

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 1:30 PM.

lower

Feb 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 9:00 AM.

lower

Feb 10, 2025

Committee

Referred to Appropriations.

lower

Feb 6, 2025

Lower · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

lower

Feb 6, 2025

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Community Safety at 8:00 AM.

lower

Jan 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Community Safety at 4:00 PM.

lower

1 primary · 10 co-sponsors