SB 5484 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning payments to tow truck operators for the release of vehicles to indigent citizens.

Senate Bill 5484 establishes a program allowing indigent individuals to retrieve their impounded vehicles without paying towing and storage fees, provided the impound was not due to an arrest. The Department of Licensing will administer this program, which directly affects indigent vehicle owners and registered tow truck operators. To be eligible, vehicle owners must be indigent, unable to pay for the service, and self-certify their status. Registered tow truck operators, after releasing an eligible vehicle, can apply to the department for reimbursement of towing and up to five days of storage costs, using available dedicated funds. Operators are also required to inform vehicle owners about this program if their impounded vehicle may be eligible.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Jan 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute Bill → Engrossed Substitute Bill · 4 edits · Mar 12, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was renamed to indicate it is an 'Engrossed' version, and a new requirement was added for the Department of Licensing to establish maximum reimbursement rates for tow and storage services. The department must now consult with stakeholders and hold a work group meeting every two years to review and potentially amend these rules. The previous text detailing the disbursement of excess funds was split to accommodate this new rule-making mandate.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include a formal rule-making process for setting financial caps on reimbursements, moving from a direct disbursement model to one governed by future administrative rules.

TECHNICAL

The bill title was updated from 'Substitute Senate Bill' to 'Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill', indicating it has passed the Senate and is now in its final form before becoming law.

REQUIREMENT

A new subsection requires the department to consult with stakeholders and create rules establishing maximum reimbursement rates for towing and storage services.

TIMELINE

The department must convene a stakeholder work group every two years to recommend changes to the reimbursement rules, with the first meeting occurring within 12 months of the rules being adopted.

FISCAL

The original paragraph regarding the disbursement of excess funds was split; the core disbursement authority remains, but it is now subject to the new rule-making process for setting maximum rates.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 12, 2025

How they voted

49–0

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 51

Mar 12, 2025

D Democratic31

30 Yea 1

96% Yea

R Republican20

19 Yea 1

95% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

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

TR - Majority; do pass.

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

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

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.

lower

Mar 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

Floor amendment(s) adopted.

upper

Feb 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.

upper

Feb 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.

upper

1 primary · 2 co-sponsors