Revising the provisions around unattended motor vehicles.
SB 5081 revises the laws concerning unattended motor vehicles in Washington state. The bill clarifies that a vehicle with its engine running due to a remote starter system is not considered unattended if it is locked and the ignition keys are not inside. This update affects drivers who utilize remote starter technology. Additionally, it specifies that if a vehicle started by a remote system moves and causes damage or injury, the most recent driver must comply with existing reporting requirements.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Jan 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 12, 2026
Last action Mar 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Bill
→
Engrossed Bill
·
3 edits
·
Jan 28, 2026
MINOR
The bill was reclassified from a Senate Bill to an Engrossed Senate Bill, indicating it has passed the Senate and is ready for the next legislative stage. A new provision was added to clarify that vehicles equipped with remote starter systems are not considered 'unattended' if they are locked and the keys are not inside, which changes how liability is assigned in cases of remote-start accidents. Additionally, a previous exemption allowing vehicles to remain unattended on the owner's private property was removed, meaning the parking safety rules now apply universally regardless of location.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded by removing the exemption for vehicles parked on private property, making the unattended vehicle safety requirements applicable to all locations.
DEFINITION
Added a definition stating that a vehicle with a remote starter is not 'unattended' if it is locked and the keys are outside the vehicle.
SCOPE
Deleted the exemption that previously allowed unattended vehicles to remain on property owned by the driver or person in charge.
TECHNICAL
Updated the bill title from 'SENATE BILL' to 'ENGROSSED SENATE BILL' to reflect its legislative status.
Floor votes · Senate Feb 12, 2025
How they voted
51–0
Passed
Total votes 51
Feb 12, 2025
D
Democratic31
100% Yea
R
Republican20
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
19
Key actions
6
Committee
5
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.
lower
Jan 12, 2026
Introduced
By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
upper
Mar 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
upper
Jan 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
TRAN - Majority; do pass.
upper
Jan 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.
upper
Jan 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.
upper
1 primary · 3 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Phil Fortunato
RRepublican
Co
Jeff Wilson
RRepublican
Co
Jim McCune
RRepublican
Co
Leonard Christian
RRepublican
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