Washington Bills | MyRepTracker

signed · Washington · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 2505: Exempting certain former foster care providers from adult family home licensure.

HB 2505 exempts certain former foster care providers from needing adult family home licensure when they continue caring for their former foster youth in their homes. It directly affects individuals who previously operated foster family homes for at least three years or held a child-specific license under Washington law. Key provisions require these providers to have no substantiated child or adult protective services findings, care only for their former foster youth, and comply with background checks. The bill amends state law to remove licensure requirements for these specific cases while maintaining safety safeguards.

signed · Washington · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 2604: Transferring ownership of a vehicle to an insurer under certain circumstances.

HB 2604 simplifies the process for transferring vehicle ownership to an insurer after a total loss or destruction, directly affecting vehicle owners, insurers, and the Washington State Department of Licensing. The bill requires owners and insurers to report destruction/total loss within 15 days using electronic systems, simplified documents (like an affidavit marked "DESTROYED"), or a standard settlement form, eliminating the need for notarized signatures on related paperwork. It establishes a $6,790 market value threshold for six-year-old or older vehicles (adjusted annually based on regional used car prices) to determine if a value statement is required. The law streamlines administrative steps for insurers and owners while ensuring clear documentation standards for title transfers.

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 5975: Providing consumer access to safe cookware and interstate and international trade certainty in the regulation of lead in cookware.

Washington State's SB 5975 sets new lead limits for aluminum and brass cookware, utensils, and components sold in the state. Starting January 1, 2026, these products may not contain more than 90 parts per million (ppm) of lead, with a stricter limit of 10 ppm taking effect January 1, 2028, for new items. The law applies to manufacturers, retailers, and wholesalers but exempts previously owned items sold in casual transactions or by nonprofits. It also requires the Department of Ecology to review lead in cookware as a priority product by 2029, aiming to set future regulatory limits by 2032.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 5880: Concerning toxicology testing by certified or accredited laboratories.

SB 5880 requires that toxicology testing for alcohol or drugs in DUI cases must be conducted by laboratories certified under international ISO/IEC 17025 standards for forensic testing, directly affecting drivers facing DUI charges and law enforcement. It specifies strict protocols for admissibility in court, including detailed requirements for breath test equipment calibration, sample collection procedures, and blood draw qualifications (limited to specific licensed medical professionals). The bill also mandates that any additional tests requested by the accused must use generally accepted methods, while maintaining that basic proof of proper testing procedures must be shown for results to be admitted. The law includes an expiration date and applies to both blood and breath testing under Washington’s DUI statutes.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 5911: Strengthening the financial stability of persons in the care of the department of children, youth, and families.

SB 5911 helps youth aged 18-21 in Washington’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) care manage their own finances. Starting January 1, 2027, DCYF cannot use their benefits (like Social Security) to reimburse care costs. Instead, DCYF must help them apply for Social Security benefits and set up financial accounts (such as ABLE accounts) to hold their funds securely. The bill ensures these youth gain direct control over their benefits while requiring DCYF to support them in managing accounts or find suitable representatives if needed.

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 5944: Concerning language access providers' collective bargaining.

SB 5944 establishes a collective bargaining framework for language access providers who work with specific state agencies, including those providing interpreter services for Department of Social and Health Services, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, and Department of Labor and Industries appointments. The bill designates the governor as the public employer solely for bargaining purposes, creating three statewide bargaining units based on service type (e.g., Medicaid appointments, injured workers, or general state agency support). It limits bargaining to economic issues like pay rates, training, grievance procedures, and health benefits - excluding retirement benefits - and requires the governor to submit budget requests for approved agreements, subject to legislative approval. Providers remain non-employees for all purposes outside bargaining, and the law explicitly preserves federal compliance obligations and legislative authority over service delivery.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 1570: Concerning collective bargaining for certain employees who are enrolled in academic programs at public institutions of higher education.

HB 1570 grants collective bargaining rights to student employees (those enrolled in academic or certificate programs) at Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Western Washington University, and The Evergreen State College. It defines specific bargaining topics, including tuition remission and waivers, while excluding issues like academic calendars, tuition amounts, student admissions, and termination based on academic performance. Compensation agreements must align with legislative budget limits, though institutions may offer additional pay beyond these limits. The bill applies only to employees not already covered by other collective bargaining laws at these institutions.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Joe Timmons (D) · 24 co-sponsors

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 5720: Enacting the uniform consumer debt default judgments act.

SB 5720 establishes new rules for default judgments in consumer debt collection cases in Washington State. It requires creditors to include specific details in their lawsuits, such as the last payment date, outstanding balance, and itemized fees, before a court can issue a judgment when a defendant doesn’t respond. The bill also mandates that creditors provide consumers with a clear notice warning them that a default judgment could be entered, remain enforceable for up to 20 years, and impact credit even after expiration. This directly affects consumers with personal debts (like credit cards or medical bills) and creditors/debt collectors seeking to collect unpaid obligations. The law applies to unsecured consumer debts and certain secured debts but excludes government collections or property repossession actions.

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 5068: Concerning agencies, firefighters, prosecutors, and general or limited authority law enforcement, extending eligibility for employment to all United States citizens or persons legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.

SB 5068 expands employment eligibility for various public service roles in Washington state. The bill allows individuals legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law to be considered for positions as firefighters, prosecutors, and general or limited authority law enforcement officers. This change amends existing state laws that previously limited eligibility to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, broadening the pool of potential applicants for these roles. The bill specifies that it must be interpreted consistent with federal work authorization requirements.

Topics ✓ Immigration ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 5292: Concerning paid family and medical leave rates.

This bill revises how the annual premium rates for Washington's Paid Family and Medical Leave program are determined, affecting both employers and employees who contribute to and benefit from the program. It changes the process for setting the total premium rate, moving from a specific formula to being based on an annual report from the office of actuarial services. This report must now recommend premium rates designed to maintain the program's solvency for the next four years while limiting rate fluctuations. Additionally, it requires the report to ensure the program closes each rate collection year with a specific three-month reserve by 2030, with the maximum premium rate remaining at 1.20 percent.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 5690: Concerning utility relocation.

Senate Bill 5690 directs the Washington State Department of Transportation (DOT) to proactively coordinate with broadband and utility owners regarding planned state highway projects to facilitate the installation of broadband infrastructure. The bill allows the DOT to install broadband conduit during road construction if owners are unable, aiming to reduce future traffic impacts and support telework. It also requires the DOT to provide utility owners with advance notice for state fish barrier removal projects. The DOT is encouraged to seek federal funding for utility relocation costs associated with these projects and must report on its federal funding efforts and recommendations by December 15, 2026.

Topics ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

signed · Washington · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 2238: Concerning statewide food security.

HB 2238 requires Washington's Department of Agriculture to develop a statewide food security strategy by December 2027, aimed at ending hunger, reducing diet-related health disparities, and strengthening agricultural supply chains. The strategy must define food security through three lenses - access, agricultural viability, and supply chain resilience - and establish metrics to track regulatory costs (like fuel and labor), food access gaps, and agricultural competitiveness. It mandates collaboration with state agencies, tribes, BIPOC communities, small farmers, and food policy organizations to identify policy barriers, coordinate disaster response, and address root causes of hunger. The bill expires July 1, 2028, and requires the department to report on agricultural regulatory competitiveness every four years starting in 2030.

Kristine Reeves (D) · 25 co-sponsors