HB 2248 Washington House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning corporate filings and other documents processed by the secretary of state's corporations and charities division.

HB 2248 amends Washington State laws governing corporate filings processed by the Secretary of State's Corporations and Charities Division. It requires trademark assignments to be recorded with the Secretary of State to be valid against subsequent purchasers, adds specific information requirements for international student exchange organizations seeking registration, and clarifies procedures for submitting entity filings and annual reports (including details like registered agent addresses and business descriptions). The bill directly affects businesses, nonprofits, and international student placement organizations that file documents with the Secretary of State. Key changes include standardizing filing timelines, requiring updated information for registered entities, and specifying how the Secretary of State must handle rejected filings.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 5, 2026 Signed Mar 17, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Second Substitute Bill → Substitute Passed Legislature · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was reclassified from the Appropriations committee to Civil Rights & Judiciary and updated its effective date. A new revolving fund was created to finance the Secretary of State's operations, changing how fees are deposited. Additionally, the annual fee collection rule was modified so that only the first $50 goes to the state treasury, with the remainder funding the new revolving fund.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include RCW 43.07.130, which governs the Secretary of State's revolving fund.

TIMELINE

The bill's first reading date was changed from February 9, 2026, to January 27, 2026.

SCOPE

The bill was moved from the House Appropriations committee to the House Civil Rights & Judiciary committee.

FISCAL

A new revolving fund was established to cover the costs of registration and information services provided by the Secretary of State.

The rule for collecting annual license fees was changed so that only the first $50 is deposited in the state treasury, while the remainder is deposited in the new revolving fund.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 4, 2026 · House Feb 17, 2026

How they voted

50–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 51

Mar 4, 2026

D Democratic31

30 Yea 1

96% Yea

R Republican20

20 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 17, 2026

Signed into law

Governor signed.

executive

Mar 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

President signed.

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

Speaker signed.

lower

Mar 4, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (50-0-1)

senate

Feb 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

LAW - Majority; do pass.

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 8:00 AM.

upper

Feb 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM.

upper

Feb 17, 2026

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (99-0-1)

house

Feb 9, 2026

Committee

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

lower

Feb 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Minority; do not pass.

lower

Feb 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM.

lower

Feb 7, 2026

Lower · Passed

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

lower

Jan 27, 2026

Committee

Referred to Appropriations.

lower

Jan 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Executive action taken in the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary at 10:30 AM.

lower

Jan 16, 2026

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary at 10:30 AM.

lower

1 primary · 6 co-sponsors