Allowing pets in unattended motor vehicles under certain circumstances.
This bill allows pet owners to leave pets unattended in vehicles for up to 30 minutes under specific safety conditions to protect against extreme heat or cold. It amends vehicle parking rules to permit the engine running (with doors locked, brake set, and wheels turned on hills) only when necessary for a pet's temperature safety. The law defines "pet" as domesticated dogs, cats, or other domesticated animals (excluding livestock). It directly affects pet owners who might need brief vehicle stops for their animals' well-being while driving. The policy change creates a clear exception to standard unattended vehicle rules, requiring specific safety measures to prevent harm.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 5, 2026
Last action Mar 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Bill
→
Substitute Bill
·
3 edits
MINOR
The bill was processed by the Senate Law & Justice Committee, which added a sponsor group attribution and updated the reading date. The committee removed the amendment to RCW 16.52.340, which previously allowed animal control officers to enter vehicles to rescue animals and defined the legal liability for doing so. The core text regarding the rules for leaving pets in unattended cars remains unchanged.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding animal rescue and officer liability was removed; it now only addresses traffic laws concerning unattended vehicles.
TECHNICAL
Added 'By Senate Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senator Wagoner)' and changed the reading date to 01/23/26.
ENFORCEMENT
Deleted the amendment to RCW 16.52.340 that authorized animal control officers to enter vehicles to remove animals and defined liability for property damage during such rescues.
SCOPE
The act title was shortened to remove the reference to amending RCW 16.52.340.
Floor votes · Senate Feb 11, 2026
How they voted
50–0
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 51
Feb 11, 2026
D
Democratic31
96% Yea
R
Republican20
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
14
Key actions
4
Committee
3
Feb 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (50-0-1)
senate
Jan 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM.
upper
Jan 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM.
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Keith Wagoner
RRepublican
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