SB 5098 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Restricting the possession of weapons on the premises of state or local public buildings, parks or playground facilities where children are likely to be present, and county fairs and county fair facilities.

Senate Bill 5098 expands the list of places where possessing weapons is unlawful in Washington state. The bill makes it illegal to carry a weapon on the premises of state or local public buildings, as well as at city, county, or municipal park facilities where children are likely to be present. It also prohibits weapons at county fairs and their facilities during public operating hours, though this does not apply to gun shows held on fairgrounds. Local governments are required to designate and post signage for affected park facilities.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Jan 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Mar 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Second Substitute Bill Engrossed Second Substitute Bill · 3 edits · Jan 21, 2026
MINOR
The bill was reclassified from a 'Second Substitute' to an 'Engrossed Second Substitute' version, indicating it has passed the House and is ready for final Senate action. The most significant policy change is the removal of an exemption for licensed concealed carry permit holders, meaning they are now subject to the bill's restrictions. Additionally, the exemption for military color guards was narrowed to apply only to specific permitted events like Memorial Day and Veterans Day, rather than all burial ceremonies.
Scope change
The bill's scope was narrowed by removing an exemption for individuals with concealed carry licenses and limiting the military color guard exemption to specific holidays.
ELIGIBILITY

Removed the exemption that allowed persons licensed to carry a concealed firearm to be exempt from the bill's restrictions.

Narrowed the exemption for military color guards and honor guards to apply only to specific permitted events (Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Independence Day, Juneteenth, and Presidents' Day) instead of all burial or interment ceremonies.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill title to reflect its current status as an 'Engrossed Second Substitute Bill' after passing the House.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 5, 2025

How they voted

2922
Passed
Total votes 51
Mar 5, 2025
D Democratic31
28 Yea 3 Nay
90% Yea
R Republican20
1 Yea 19 Nay
95% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
41
Key actions
18
Committee
22
Jan 12, 2026
Introduced
By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
upper
Apr 8, 2025
Committee
Referred to Rules 2 Review.
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s) but without amendment(s) by Civil Rights & Judiciary.
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 1:30 PM.
lower
Apr 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 1:30 PM.
lower
Mar 28, 2025
Committee
Referred to Appropriations.
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
CRJ - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary at 8:00 AM.
lower
Mar 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary at 10:30 AM.
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Minority; without recommendation.
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.
upper
Feb 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.
upper
Feb 7, 2025
Committee
Referred to Transportation.
upper
Feb 6, 2025
Committee
And refer to Transportation.
upper
Feb 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
upper
Feb 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4:00 PM.
upper
Jan 17, 2025
Committee
On motion, referred to Ways & Means.
upper
Jan 16, 2025
Upper · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
upper
Jan 16, 2025
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM.
upper
Jan 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 8:00 AM.
upper
1 primary · 10 co-sponsors

Sponsors