Washington Bills

in committee · Washington · House Jan 15, 2026

HB 2518: Concerning manufacturers and vehicle dealers.

HB 2518 prohibits vehicle manufacturers from discriminating against dealers in pricing, allocation, or service fees. It bans practices like charging different prices for identical vehicles or parts to different dealers, using unfair promotion plans, or preventing dealers from requesting service fees on certain programs. The law also restricts manufacturers from competing with dealers by owning or operating dealerships, except in limited cases like temporary transitions (up to 2 years), diversity partnerships with capital investment requirements, or heavy-truck dealerships. This bill directly affects Washington-based vehicle manufacturers and their new vehicle dealers by requiring fair treatment under state law.

in committee · Washington · House Jan 15, 2026

HB 2497: Addressing the rise in maltreatment-related child fatalities or near fatalities by supporting families that have received a child welfare response.

HB 2497 addresses the 70% rise in child fatalities and near-fatal abuse cases by supporting families involved with child welfare services. The bill requires the state to provide legal counsel and parent allies for pregnant individuals or new parents at risk of child removal, assign public health nurses to parents of children under four with active investigations, and expand the Parent-Child Assistance Program in high-need areas for families with substance use issues. It also mandates specialized training for child welfare supervisors on safety assessments and improves connections to community services. These changes aim to keep children safe at home while addressing root causes like substance use and lack of support.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SB 6169: Concerning the sale and distribution of nitrous oxide.

SB 6169 makes it a gross misdemeanor to sell, distribute, or give away nitrous oxide in canisters, devices, or flavored containers (like "whip-its"), directly affecting retailers and distributors of these products. Key exceptions include medical/dental use by licensed professionals, nitrous oxide in food propellants, manufacturing processes, and automotive applications. The bill defines "nitrous oxide" to include common terms like "laughing gas" but excludes these specified uses from the prohibition. It does not apply to sales for legitimate medical, food, industrial, or automotive purposes. The law aims to restrict recreational nitrous oxide access while preserving established commercial and medical uses.

in committee · Washington · House Jan 15, 2026

HB 2509: Improving the efficiency of the review of applications by the energy facility site evaluation council.

HB 2509 streamlines the review process for electrical transmission facility applications by the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council. It requires the council to include members with specific expertise in environmental regulations, energy infrastructure, and tribal consultation, and mandates that at least one member be a licensed Washington attorney. The bill changes hearing requirements from public hearings to adjudicative reviews focused solely on defined environmental and land-use impacts, while establishing clear decision criteria for approvals. It also includes special provisions for wind energy projects, allowing limited site preparation and construction under existing certifications without requiring new council approval for minor expansions. This bill directly affects energy developers seeking transmission facility permits and the council’s operational procedures.

Topics ✓ Energy

in committee · Washington · House Jan 15, 2026

HJM 4010: Requesting an investigation into the killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi.

Washington State's HJM 4010 is a formal request to the U.S. government to investigate the killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a University of Washington psychology graduate and Seattle resident. The memorial, addressed to President Trump, the Secretary of State, and the Department of Justice, asks for a "transparent, thorough, and independent investigation" into her death by an Israeli military sniper in the West Bank on September 6, 2024. It specifically cites her peaceful activism, including organizing protests for Palestinian rights and supporting displaced communities, and draws parallels to the unresolved death of another Washingtonian, Rachel Corrie. As a non-binding memorial resolution, it does not create new law but formally urges federal action. The request is directed at U.S. executive and legislative branches to pursue accountability for Eygi's death.

Chipalo Street (D) · 32 co-sponsors

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SB 5858: Providing pupil transportation safety net funding for special passengers.

SB 5858 creates a new state funding program to cover extra transportation costs for school districts serving students with specific needs. It provides reimbursements for documented excess costs beyond regular transportation funding when serving three groups: students requiring transportation as part of their special education plan, homeless students under federal law, and foster youth. Districts must report these excess costs and the specific services causing them, and funding comes from state appropriations - not basic education funds. Charter and tribal schools are also eligible for these reimbursements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

in committee · Washington · House Jan 15, 2026

HB 2160: Concerning eligibility for membership in the school employees' benefits board programs during the second school year of employment.

HB 2160 amends eligibility rules for school employees' health benefits in Washington State, requiring employees to work at least 630 hours during their first school year to qualify for benefits in their second year. It also ends the "Smart Health" wellness program for new participants starting January 1, 2028, while allowing employees who met eligibility by December 2027 to receive wellness incentives in 2028. The bill affects school employees and their dependents by setting minimum work-hour thresholds and updating coverage rules for family plans. These changes update existing benefits program criteria under Washington law to standardize eligibility and phase out specific wellness incentives.

Topics ✗ Healthcare ✗ Labor & Employment

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SB 5754: Creating the Washington state public bank.

SB 5754 proposes creating a Washington State Public Bank modeled after North Dakota's bank, which would use state deposits to leverage infrastructure financing without new taxes or bonds. The bill would allow the state to hold reserves in this public bank, applying standard banking practice (keeping 10% in reserve) to generate up to 10 times the loan capacity - turning $1 billion in deposits into $10 billion for projects like roads or housing. This would replace costly bond financing (e.g., avoiding $10 billion in 20-year bond costs for $5 billion in projects) by keeping capital within Washington to fund public needs and generate profits for the state. The bank would directly affect state infrastructure projects and local communities by lowering borrowing costs and redirecting funds from private banks to public benefit.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

in committee · Washington · House Jan 15, 2026

HB 1608: Concerning the selling, possessing, transporting, and distributing of farmed octopus.

HB 1608 bans the sale, possession, transport, or distribution of farmed octopus in Washington State, targeting commercial aquaculture operations. The bill directly affects businesses and individuals involved in octopus farming, as it prohibits these activities under new provisions in Title 19 RCW. Key mechanisms include a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per violation for noncompliance, enforceable by the attorney general. The legislation is based on the legislature’s findings that octopuses are highly intelligent, sentient creatures requiring protection from farming practices. It expands existing 2024 restrictions on octopus aquaculture by eliminating the commercial market for farmed octopus.

Strom Peterson (D) · 18 co-sponsors

in committee · Washington · House Jan 14, 2026

HB 2375: Concerning the running start allocations granted to school districts.

This bill amends Washington's real estate disclosure requirements for properties with oil heating tanks. It requires sellers to provide a specific statement informing buyers that remediation assistance for oil tank contamination may be available through the Pollution Liability Insurance Agency (replacing outdated language about "no cost insurance"). The change applies only to property sales occurring on or after January 1, 2027. The bill directly affects residential real estate sellers and buyers in Washington state by updating disclosure language related to heating oil tank liabilities.

in committee · Washington · House Jan 14, 2026

HB 2484: Creating the youth development fund account to increase access to positive youth development programs.

HB 2484 creates a state youth development fund account to centralize public and private funding for programs serving youth aged 5-24. The fund will provide grants to nonprofits, tribes, parks departments, and community organizations (not directly to school districts) to support programs like mentorship, career navigation, arts/STEM, and social-emotional learning. Grants must prioritize geographic equity and at-risk youth groups, including those in foster care, experiencing homelessness, or living in poverty. Recipients must annually report program impacts to the superintendent of public instruction.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 6030: Repealing restrictions and fees on plastic carryout bags.

SB 6030 repeals restrictions on plastic carryout bags in Washington State, allowing retailers to offer thinner plastic bags (under 2.25 mils) that were previously banned. It removes the requirement for retailers to provide "reusable" bags but maintains the existing rule that all carryout bags (including plastic) must contain at least 40% postconsumer recycled content. The bill directly affects retail businesses and consumers by changing bag options at checkout while keeping environmental content standards. This follows a university study noting that previous plastic bag restrictions increased overall plastic use despite reduced bag numbers.

Topics ✗ Environment

Bill results