HB 1841 Washington House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Establishing the own your own art purchase program.

HB 1841 establishes Washington’s "Own Your Own Art" program, providing interest-free loans of $1,000-$12,000 to eligible residents for purchasing original artwork directly from Washington state artists or participating arts businesses. The program aims to support local artists, stimulate the creative economy, and increase art accessibility by enabling personal art ownership through 12-month repayment terms. Key provisions require applicants to be U.S. residents aged 18+, purchase art for personal use (not export during repayment), and buy works from Washington-based artists or Indigenous artists. The program draws inspiration from Tasmania’s successful 15-year model, which facilitated over $22 million in art sales. It will be administered by the state commission using grants and gifts, with no interest charged on loans.
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 · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill Substitute Bill · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to reflect its status as a substitute bill after committee review. The most significant policy change is the removal of the $225,000 appropriation from the general fund, replacing it with a requirement that the program be funded primarily through gifts and grants. Additionally, the commission's authority to administer the program was made conditional on the availability of these external funds.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding funding sources changed from a guaranteed state appropriation to a program dependent on securing external gifts and grants.
FISCAL

Removed the specific appropriation of $225,000 from the state general fund to finance the art purchase program.

Added a condition stating that the program must operate only if sufficient funds are available from gifts and grants.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the commission's authority to administer the program from a mandatory duty to a permissive option, contingent on funding availability.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill title and header to indicate it is a Substitute House Bill and adjusted the reading date to reflect committee action.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
10
Key actions
5
Committee
7
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 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Minority; without recommendation.
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
lower
Feb 25, 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
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors