Essential information on each bill is below. For more details, click on the bill number – e.g., “HB 1000.” The new page will show the progress of the bill, videos of debate, and the link to send a comment to your legislator about the bill.
Topics
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Safety
Expanding the circumstances that may constitute a major violation of the uniform controlled substances act.
Bill Summary
Rep. Jim Walsh, R- Aberdeen, has filed HB 1000, which would allow courts to impose tougher sentences for the knowing delivery or distribution of fentanyl or precursor chemicals used to illegally manufacture fentanyl. The bill also would allow longer sentences for those who distribute counterfeit substances containing fentanyl that causes substantial bodily harm, permanent impairment to cognitive functions, or death of a person.
Under current law, fentanyl possession is a misdemeanor. This particular bill was introduced last year; however, it did not receive a hearing. A huge surge in fentanyl-related deaths in Washington is forcing legislators to respond with bills that will give law enforcement officers and prosecutors the tools they need to clean up our communities as well as provide assistance to addicts.
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Health Care
Recognizing posttraumatic stress disorder as an occupational disease for county coroners, examiners, and investigative personnel.
Bill Summary
Washington State House Bill 1002 proposes amending existing law to recognize posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as an occupational disease for specific public service workers. The bill specifically covers firefighters, law enforcement officers, public safety telecommunicators, and county coroners and medical examiner personnel, subject to certain conditions and exceptions. These exceptions include instances where PTSD stems from employer disciplinary actions or pre-existing conditions, as determined by a pre-employment psychological evaluation. The proposed changes aim to provide workers’ compensation coverage for PTSD in these high-stress professions. The bill also includes precise definitions for the covered professions and situations.
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Housing
Addressing service of notice by mail in cases involving forcible entry and forcible and unlawful detainer.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1003 introduces a fair and balanced approach to the eviction process, ensuring that tenants receive adequate notice while providing landlords with a clear and efficient means of communication. This bill modifies the rules around serving eviction-related notices by mail, requiring certified mail from within Washington state and extending the waiting period before legal action can begin from one to five days. This change gives tenants more time to respond, seek assistance, or resolve disputes before facing eviction proceedings. By clarifying the service process and adding a safeguard against premature legal action, HB 1003 helps prevent unjust removals and ensures that tenants are fully informed of their rights and obligations. At the same time, it maintains a clear path for landlords to lawfully regain possession of their property when necessary.
Bill Summary
Washington House Bill 1008 establishes a new county local road trust account within the state’s motor vehicle fund. The bill outlines the criteria for allocating funds to county road projects, prioritizing projects in overburdened communities and those addressing environmental health disparities. Specific project types are defined, and rules for project planning, funding, and eligibility are established. The bill also includes provisions for joint planning with cities and the state Department of Transportation, along with stipulations regarding matching funds and county levy diversions. Finally, it declares an emergency effective date of July 1, 2025.
Bill Summary
The legislature has found that Washingtonians are in a housing crisis and the state needs to produce another 1.1 million homes by 2044 to meet its housing needs. The legislature determined that accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are a potential solution to this housing crisis because they provide affordable housing, can be built quickly, and can provide supplemental income for property owners. ADUs are especially needed in rural communities that do not yet have the infrastructure for larger-scale development.
House Bill 1010, a Washington State legislative proposal, aims to address the state’s housing crisis by promoting the construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs), particularly in rural areas. The bill outlines specific regulations for detached ADUs, including size limits, water and sewage requirements, and design guidelines to ensure compatibility with existing properties. It also mandates updates to county comprehensive plans to accommodate these new ADU regulations and clarifies the review and revision processes for existing land-use plans. Finally, the bill emphasizes the need for collaboration between counties and cities in planning and addresses potential impacts on rural growth targets.
Bill Sponsor Sam Low, R-Lake Stevens, stated “We must take bold action during the upcoming session to increase housing supply and remove barriers to building affordable housing. While we can’t fix this crisis overnight, we can work to ensure Washington no longer holds the distinction of being the fifth most unaffordable state for housing.”
Bill Summary
Washington House Bill 1011 proposes a new school safety capital grant program. The bill outlines eligibility requirements for schools and projects, including a focus on physical security improvements. It details the application process, grant administration, and matching fund stipulations. A minimum 10-year commitment to maintain improvements is required of grantees. Funding limitations and project cost caps are also specified.
The School Safety Capital Grant Program, as outlined in the proposed legislation, would fund physical improvements to enhance the safety and security of school facilities. Eligible projects include design and construction of security vestibules and the purchase and installation of: metal detectors, key card access, panic buttons, silent alarms, fencing and lighting. Crime prevention through environmental design projects. All projects must incorporate crime prevention through environmental design principles to the extent applicable.
The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction generally requires grantees to provide matching non-state funding equal to at least 100% of the state grant award. However, the office may reduce the required matching percentage for applicants with a higher than average percentage of students eligible for free and reduced-price meals.
Bill Summary
HB 1016 would provide tax incentives to employers who hire veterans and spouses of active-duty military members. The stated public policy objective of the legislation is to increase employment opportunities for veterans and military families.
The bill proposes a 20% tax credit, up to $3,000 per qualified employee, on wages and benefits paid to veterans or spouses of active-duty military personnel hired after January 1, 2026. To qualify, employees must hold permanent full-time positions for at least two consecutive calendar quarters. Seasonal employees who work the equivalent of 35 hours over two consecutive quarters also qualify.
The legislation designates a $5 million annual cap for the total tax credits. If claims exceed the limit, unused credits can be carried over to the next fiscal year.
The bill mandates that employers who discharge a qualified employee before claiming the credit are ineligible for a new credit for one year from the discharge date. However, this restriction doesn’t apply if the employee was terminated for documented work-related misconduct, or due to a felony or gross misdemeanor conviction.
To be eligible for the tax credit, a qualified employee must be employed for at least two consecutive full calendar quarters. This applies to both veterans and spouses of active-duty military members. The bill defines “full-time” employment as a normal work week of at least 35 hours.
The tax credit program has an expiration date built into the proposed legislation. Credits can be earned for tax reporting periods only through January 1, 2036. After that date, no further credits can be claimed. The program itself fully expires on January 1, 2037. However, the legislation includes a provision for potential extension. If a review determines that the number of unemployed veterans and military spouses has decreased by 10%, the legislative auditor is obligated to recommend extending the expiration date of the tax preference. The total annual cap on tax credits for employing veterans and their spouses is $5,000,000.
Bill Summary
Washington House Bill 1022, also known as the “Homes for Heroes Act,” proposes a $15 million pilot program to assist eligible essential workers with down payments and closing costs on homes. The program targets individuals in critical occupations facing housing affordability challenges, such as firefighters, nurses, and police officers. Funding is capped, and the program is set to conclude in 2027, with reports on its effectiveness due to the legislature. Loan amounts are limited to 5% of the first mortgage or $25,000, and loans are interest-free, deferred until the mortgage is paid or the property is sold. The bill aims to alleviate Washington state’s workforce crisis by making homeownership more accessible to essential workers.
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Health Care
Reopening the exemption from the long-term services and supports trust program for employees who have purchased long-term care insurance.
Bill Summary
State Representatives Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia and Joe Schmick, R-Colfax have introduced a bill designed to reopen a limited opt-out period for WA Cares, Washington’s long-term care insurance program. This bill became necessary when Initiative 2124 failed during the election in November of 2024. The initiative would have made WA Cares optional.
WA Cares deducts 58 cents per $100 earned for every Washington worker to fund a dismal limited lifetime benefit of up to $36,000 for long-term care costs. Prior to the program becoming mandatory, workers were allowed a very short period of time to provide proof of a private insurance plan, which would allow them to opt out of the payroll tax.
House Bill 1025 would allow an extended opt-out window for purchasing a private insurance plan. The window of opportunity would end on November 1, 2027. Unfortunately, this bill does not allow for a refund of any payroll tax deductions made before the effective date of an approved exemption.
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Health Care
Protecting spouses by allowing the sharing of benefits under the long-term services and supports trust program.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1026, sponsored by Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia and co-sponsored by Rep. Joe Schmick, R-Colfax, would allow an individual to transfer any or all of the qualified person’s available WA Cares long-term care benefits to a spouse.
“One of the main flaws in the program is that there are a lot of families that have a stay-at-home spouse, or a spouse who took a break from their career to raise a family, or maybe something happened and they got hurt at work and had to take a year or two off work to recover, and then they are no longer vested and have to start all over again,” Abbarno said.
Abbarno continued, “We live in a community property state and when one spouse is not bringing home income, it seems patently unfair that a spouse who is missing out on that community asset wouldn’t get to use the long-term care program,” Abbarno noted. “You can end up getting taxed in a payroll tax for your entire career, and you may never use this benefit, but God forbid your spouse needs it, they can never use it.”
Bill Summary
This proposed Washington state legislative act prohibits housing inmates convicted of sex offenses against a specific biological sex in correctional facilities that primarily house individuals of that same sex. The law adds a new section to chapter 72.09 RCW to implement this restriction. This aims to ensure the safety and security of inmates by preventing situations where prior sex offenders could be housed with vulnerable individuals of the same biological sex as their victims. The act specifically defines “sex offense” using existing state law (RCW 9.94A.030).
Bill Summary
Washington House Bill 1028 is a bipartisan bill which aims to update the state’s laws regarding child abuse and neglect. The bill modifies definitions of key terms like “child forensic interview” and “children’s advocacy center” to reflect current best practices and the evolving landscape of child protection. It emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary team approaches and trauma-informed care. Further, the bill addresses the need for improved support and training for professionals involved in child abuse investigations, including provisions for peer review of forensic interviews. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance the effectiveness of child protection services in Washington State.
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Elections
HB 1030
Concerning the conduct of limited audits of counted ballots during the election certification period.
Bill Summary
At the request of the Secretary of State, bipartisan House Bill 1030 details amendments to Washington state election laws. Key change involve ballot duplication procedures, enhanced auditing methods – including risk-limiting audits and limited hand counts – and expanded rule-making authority for the Secretary of State. The bill aims to improve election accuracy and transparency, specifying processes for auditing and resolving discrepancies. Finally, the bill addresses observer participation and procedures for handling defective voting devices.
Bill Summary
Washington House Bill 1033 modifies the state’s child care licensing system. Counties will gain the option to license and regulate child care centers and family homes beginning July 1, 2026, subject to specific requirements outlined in the bill. The bill mandates a third-party analysis of this new system’s effectiveness. Existing state regulations are updated to reflect these changes, and some are repealed. The bill aims to improve child care quality and access while allowing for local control.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1037 amends existing laws regarding the creation and governance of public facilities districts in Washington State. It allows towns and cities in counties with populations under one million to create such districts, either individually or through agreements with contiguous towns or counties. Additionally, it specifies that cities with populations between 80,000 and 115,000 in counties with populations over one million can also establish districts if they meet certain conditions. The bill introduces provisions for the governance structure of these districts, including the composition of boards of directors, which can vary based on how the district is formed. Notably, it allows for the creation of additional public facilities districts under specific conditions and clarifies the boundaries of these districts.
The bill also includes several insertions to enhance the governance and operational framework of public facilities districts. For instance, it specifies that the boundaries of a district can include school districts selected for inclusion, and it outlines the appointment process for board members, ensuring representation from local organizations. Furthermore, it designates the county treasurer of the largest proportion of the district as the ex officio treasurer, unless otherwise designated. The bill emphasizes the collaborative nature of these districts, allowing for agreements with various governmental entities for the management and operation of facilities, and it clarifies that counties can participate in the creation and operation of public facilities districts.
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Parenting
Prohibiting puberty blocking medications, cross-sex hormones, and gender transition surgeries for minors.
Bill Summary
This Washington state bill proposes to restrict medical interventions related to gender transition for minors. Specifically, it would prohibit puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and certain surgeries aimed at altering a minor’s perceived gender. Exceptions are made for individuals with diagnosed disorders of sex development or those requiring treatment for conditions arising from previous transition procedures. The bill defines “sex” as biological factors present at birth and “gender” as encompassing psychological and social aspects.
Bill Summary
In 2024, Washington House Bill 2262 sought to authorize the Department of Commerce to establish and enforce energy efficiency standards for replacement tires. The proposed legislation would have allowed the department to prohibit the sale of replacement tires based on their rolling resistance. Additionally, the department would have been allowed to rely on information from California agencies to justify banning certain tires. Fortunately, this bill did not make it out of committee.
In response, Rep. Jim Walsh, R – Aberdeen has prefiled a bill for the 2025 legislative session to protect consumer choice and prioritize road safety in Washington state. This legislation, House Bill 1041, ensures that tires meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards (pursuant to 49 U.S.C. Sec. 30111) can be manufactured, sold, and used across the state without interference from additional state or local regulations.
Walsh’s proposal seeks to prohibit restrictions on tire usage or sales through greenhouse gas reduction strategies or emission standards, such as those modeled after California’s vehicle emission policies. “Tires are critical to vehicle safety, especially in Washington’s rugged and wet conditions,” said Walsh. “Limiting tire options does practically nothing to protect the environment. People in Washington should be free to choose the tires that best meet their needs without bureaucratic overreach limiting those options.”
The idea behind reducing rolling resistance is that it decreases fuel consumption. However, most of the environmental benefits are based on theories and models rather than actual driving data. Rolling-resistant tires typically have less tread depth, resulting in less road grip. Furthermore, the tires need replacing more frequently and they are more expensive than traditional tires.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1043 amends existing laws regarding the commute trip reduction tax credit in Washington State, extending the eligibility period for tax credits for employers and property managers who provide financial incentives for ride sharing, public transportation, car sharing, or non-motorized commuting. The deadline for these credits has been pushed from January 1, 2025, to January 1, 2035. Additionally, the maximum allowable tax credit per employee or person has been maintained at $60 per fiscal year, but the previous calculation method of multiplying the amount paid by 50 percent has been removed.
Furthermore, the bill also establishes a new cap on the total tax credits that can be claimed by any individual, reducing it from $100,000 to $50,000 per fiscal year. In addition, the legislation sets a limit on the total amount of credits allowed in any fiscal year to $2,750,000, with provisions for ratably reducing credits if the total applications exceed this limit. It also clarifies that no credits can be claimed after June 30, 2035, and introduces a new section stating that RCW 82.32.808 does not apply to this act. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025. HB 1043 has unanimous bipartisan support in the House.
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Taxes
Creating a sales tax exemption for equipment purchased by fire districts in rural counties.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1047 proposes a sales tax exemption for equipment purchased by eligible rural fire districts. The bill aims to alleviate disproportionate costs faced by these districts due to their large service areas and small tax bases. Eligibility is determined by population, with districts exceeding 10,000 residents excluded. The exemption covers fire and emergency medical apparatus and related equipment, and takes effect October 1, 2025. The bill modifies existing sales and use tax laws to implement the exemption.
Bill Summary
Rep. Cindy Ryu, D-Shoreline, is proposing a new law that would expand when citizens can be charged with crimes motivated by bias even though bias was only part of the motive behind them committing the crime. House Bill 1052 seeks to amend the definition of a hate crime.
As it stands now, a person is guilty of a hate crime if they commit an act “because of” their belief about another person’s race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics. The proposed change would modify the phrase “because of” to “in whole or in part because of,” ensuring that jurors can convict if bias is a partial, but not sole, motivation.
Ryu believes that hate crimes often have mixed motives. They range from minor offenses, such as spitting on someone because of his or her race, to serious acts of vandalism. Sadly, these “perceived offenses” can include a church member speaking about the evils of homosexuality or a teacher refusing to address a student by their preferred pronoun. There is no stop to what can be charged as a ‘hate crime’ if ‘bias’ is defined by the ‘victim’.
It will, if passed, place Washington alongside several other states which include California, Colorado, Connecticut, New York, and Wisconsin, which have already adopted similar language in combating mixed motives in hate crimes. Please oppose this horrendous bill.
Bill Summary
State lawmakers have created at least 650 exceptions to the state’s Public Records Act. This proposed legislation from Peter Abbarno, R-Centrailia and Sam Low, R-Lake Stevens, would require an updated report on the access to public records within state agencies. The report, due this year, would also shed light on the cost of litigation when agencies deny a public records request. This bill also recommends creating the Office of Transparency Ombuds, an independent state agency dedicated to helping requesters to obtain public records.
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Taxes
Promoting economic development by increasing support for local communities to access federal funds.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1057 (the MATCHED Act) aims to stimulate economic growth by helping local communities access federal funding more effectively. This proposed bipartisan legislation, crafted by Rep. Stephanie Barnard, R-Pasco, tackles the difficulties many communities face in securing federal funds, particularly in rural and distressed areas. A lack of state matching dollars, often required to access federal resources, is a common obstacle. The bill seeks to eliminate these barriers by providing state matching funds, enabling communities to leverage federal and private investments more effectively.
“With the statewide budget shortfall, many legislators are considering tax increases,” Barnard said. “But more taxes aren’t the solution. Instead, Washington should take full advantage of federal funding opportunities to tackle the budget crisis and grow our economy. The MATCHED Act helps pave the way for Washingtonians to succeed.”
In addition to offering state matching funds, the MATCHED Act focuses on expanding grant-writing support to improve access to federal assistance. The bill directs the Department of Commerce to establish a grant program by July 1, 2025. This program would help local governments, economic development organizations, and rural counties to hire grant writers. “Washington is leaving significant federal dollars on the table,” Barnard added. “By prioritizing support for distressed areas, we can secure funding for critical projects like broadband expansion, housing, infrastructure, and workforce training. These investments will directly benefit our communities.”
Bill Summary
House Bill 1061 provides additional parking flexibility in residential neighborhoods. Key changes include the allowance for cities or counties to permit residential property owners to park in front of their driveways, provided that the driveway is no longer than 50 feet and that such parking does not obstruct sidewalks, other driveways, or the roadway. Additionally, the bill updates various distance restrictions related to parking near fire hydrants, crosswalks, and traffic signals, changing the previously stated distances to more precise measurements. It would also eliminate parking requirements for certain types of residences under 1,200 square feet, commercial spaces under 5,000 square feet, affordable housing, senior housing and child care facilities.
The bill also clarifies that parking or standing is permitted in areas not explicitly restricted by law, with the stipulation that any limitations must be established by city ordinance or county resolution. Furthermore, it reinforces that no person may reserve a portion of a highway for exclusive parking, ensuring that public access remains available to all. The bill applies everywhere in Washington, towns large and small. Overall, the amendments aim to address parking shortages without costly new infrastructure while maintaining safety and accessibility in residential areas.
Bill Summary
Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, has prefiled House Bill 1065, legislation that clarifies existing law to allow families to bury loved ones on privately owned land under certain conditions. The legislation addresses ambiguity in state law, protects property rights, and honors cultural traditions. Walsh explained that this updated proposal builds on a previous version introduced in the last biennium, which received broad, bipartisan support in the Washington State House of Representatives but stalled in the Senate. The 19th District lawmaker also noted that the current bill includes bipartisan amendments added along the way.
Walsh’s proposal clarifies that families wishing to continue traditional burial practices must follow local land-use guidelines, including wetlands and title filings. It specifies that the option only applies to direct family members and disallows any commercial use—thereby protecting landowners while preserving cultural and historical customs. In addition to its past bipartisan legislative support, HB 1065 has garnered backing from several groups, including Native American tribes, property rights organizations, and those invested in preserving Washington’s rich cultural heritage.
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Environment
Implementing strategies to achieve higher recycling rates within Washington’s existing solid waste management system.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1071 is a bipartisan bill that aims to increase Washington state’s recycling rate to 65 percent for packaging and paper products. The bill mandates a statewide needs assessment to identify necessary investments and improvements to the recycling system. It also establishes a producer responsibility program, requiring producers to register and report data on the volume of products sold and to increase the use of postconsumer recycled content. An advisory committee will guide the process, and penalties are outlined for noncompliance. The bill also addresses low-income discounts for solid waste services and clarifies the Pollution Control Hearings Board’s jurisdiction over appeals.
Bill Summary
During the 2024 Legislative Session, SB 5241 would have allowed Washington’s attorney general to block health system mergers under the guise of protecting the availability of abortion, assisted suicide and gender transition procedures. Fortunately, the bill died in committee.
Rep. Amy Walen, D-Kirland, has now introduced HB 1072. This bill would require the Department of Health to assess whether a proposed merger could limit access to these same procedures and would then approve or deny the health business transaction. In turn, the attorney general could then block the merger based upon the agency’s recommendations.
While technically different than SB 5241, the proposed legislation still gives the AG and Department of Health the authority to block health care mergers. And make no mistake, this law is primarily interested in blocking religious-affiliated hospitals and clinics from merging unless they agree to provide ‘protected healthcare services’.
While less sweeping than the original medical mergers bill, the proposed legislation still gives the AG and DOH authority to block some health care business dealings. We expect HB 1072 to receive strict scrutiny from lawmakers, hospital and health care lobbyists, and reproductive rights stakeholders. We’ll be tracking this one closely.
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Safety
HB 1074
Excluding any person who is convicted of a hit and run resulting in death from being eligible for a first-time offender waiver.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1074 is a Republican-sponsored bill that amends state law regarding first-time offender waivers. The bill specifies that individuals convicted of a felony hit and run resulting in death are ineligible for such waivers. The legislation details the types of felonies excluded from this waiver program, including drug-related offenses and certain driving under the influence charges. The proposed changes modify sentencing guidelines for eligible first-time offenders, allowing for alternative sentences including community custody and restitution.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1081 ensures that property owners are protected from unfair real estate solicitations by guaranteeing them the right to an appraisal and a cancellation window before finalizing a sale. This bill empowers homeowners by: (1) Ensuring Fairness – If someone solicits to buy your property, you have the right to an independent appraisal—paid for by the buyer—so you know its true market value before committing to a deal. (2) Providing a Safety Net – Homeowners can cancel the contract within 10 business days if they decide the sale is not in their best interest. If an appraisal was conducted, they can cancel up to four business days after receiving it—without penalty. (3) Holding Buyers Accountable – Buyers must clearly inform sellers of their rights in bold print in the purchase contract, preventing deceptive or high-pressure tactics. (4) Protecting Consumers – Violations of these rules fall under the Consumer Protection Act, ensuring enforcement against bad actors. This bill does not interfere with traditional real estate transactions where licensed agents are involved, but it shields homeowners from being taken advantage of in unsolicited deals. HB 1081 is a protection for property owners, making sure they have full knowledge, fair valuation, and the freedom to walk away if needed.
Bill Summary
This bipartisan legislation, submitted by Tana Senn, D-Mercer Island, and Carolyn Eslick,R-Sultan, Chair and Ranking member of the House Human Services, Youth, and Early Learning Committee would delay and revise education requirements for child care providers. House Bill 1082 would allow child care providers to meet competency requirements in various manners and would also postpone state licensure requirements for child care workers until 2028. This legislation would update the training and evaluation of child care providers but does not completely eliminate qualifications. Given the extreme shortage of child care facilities in Washington state, this bill is a move in the right direction.
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Safety
Improving school safety by extending penalties for interference by, or intimidation by threat of, force or violence at schools and extracurricular activities and requiring schools to notify the public of such penalties.
Bill Summary
Washington State House Bill 1085 is a bipartisan bill that aims to improve school safety by increasing penalties for violence and intimidation at schools and extracurricular activities. The bill strengthens penalties for interfering with school activities through force or violence, specifically targeting threats against school officials and volunteers at athletic events. Increased fines and jail time are proposed, along with mandatory exclusion from school or events for those convicted. The bill also mandates public signage notifying people of these enhanced penalties. Finally, the bill expands the definition of those protected under the law to include more school personnel and volunteers.
Bill Summary
As Washington grapples with persistently high motor vehicle theft rates and the growing threat of illegal chop shops, Rep. Sam Low, R-Lake Stevens, has pre-filed House Bill 1086, a bipartisan measure aimed at dismantling these criminal enterprises, delivering justice for victims, and restoring community safety.
In 2023, more than 54,000 motor vehicles were stolen in Washington, resulting in the state having the third-highest motor vehicle theft rate in the nation. In 2024, the Washington Crime Information Center (WACIC) reported another 28,000 automobiles were stolen statewide.
Chop shops—illegal operations that dismantle stolen vehicles and sell their parts—are causing significant financial losses for victims and contributing to rising insurance rates and safety concerns in communities. In collaboration with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, Rep. Low’s proposed legislation includes the following provisions:
- Operating or aiding a chop shop will be classified as a Class B felony (seriousness level II), with repeat offenses elevated to a Class A felony (seriousness level IV).
- Convicted offenders will be required to compensate victims for theft-related costs, including financial losses and environmental cleanup.
- Law enforcement will have the authority to seize and forfeit tools, vehicles, and properties involved in chop shop operations.
“Washington’s surge in motor vehicle thefts has disrupted lives, driven up insurance premiums, and placed significant strain on law enforcement. Illegal chop shops are making the problem worse by turning stolen vehicles into profit, thereby encouraging more theft and organized crime,” said Low. “With this bill, we’re looking to fight back against criminals and send a clear message that they will no longer be able to run wild in Washington.”
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Safety
Expanding the crime of endangerment with a controlled substance to include fentanyl and other high-potency synthetic opioids.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1087 would criminalize knowingly exposing a child or dependent adult to fentanyl or other synthetic opioids.
“Fentanyl has devastated families and communities across Washington state. No child should be put in harm’s way because of the reckless actions of adults,” said main sponsor Rep. Jenny Graham, who was recently appointed ranking Republican on the House Community Safety Committee. “This bill is a solution to fix Washington by protecting our most vulnerable and holding offenders accountable.”
Currently, under state law, endangerment with a controlled substance applies primarily to methamphetamine exposure. If passed, House Bill 1087 would expand the applicable substances to include fentanyl, its chemical derivatives and other synthetic opioids. Knowingly exposing a child or dependent adult to these substances would be classified as a Class B felony.
“We must do more to address the addiction crisis in Washington state, specifically regarding fentanyl,” Rep. Travis Couture said. “At the same time, we have to ensure this drug is not claiming the lives of Washington children who do not choose to expose themselves to this drug. Sadly, we are seeing these unnecessary deaths rising in our state. When a parent’s addiction costs a child their life, there must be real consequences. This bill ensures those consequences exist.”
Bill Summary
House Bill 1096 aims to enhance housing options in Washington by allowing existing residential lots to be split into new residential lots through a streamlined administrative process. This initiative is designed to support homeowners facing changing life circumstances and to provide prospective homebuyers, particularly first-time buyers, with more affordable housing opportunities. The legislation mandates that cities complying with minimum density requirements must establish a process for simultaneous review and approval of administrative lot splits and residential building permits, facilitating the development of middle housing or single-family homes.
Key provisions include that the lot split process may only require an administrative decision without a public hearing, provided certain conditions are met, such as compliance with development standards and the absence of displacement of renters. The bill also stipulates that cities cannot impose limits on the number of dwelling units below what is allowed by existing zoning laws and that any newly created lots must adhere to local density requirements. Additionally, cities are granted immunity from liability related to the approval of lot splits, and the Department of Commerce is tasked with developing guidance and providing grants to assist cities in implementing these requirements.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1098 proposes establishing a new county local road trust account in Washington State’s motor vehicle fund and directs the County Road Administration Board to adopt rules regarding the allocation of funds in the account. The bill defines key terms related to road projects and establishes criteria for project selection, prioritizing overburdened communities and environmental health. It outlines eligible project types and details fund allocation procedures, including matching fund requirements and eligibility restrictions for counties working with the Washington State Department of Transportation. It limits the eligibility for these funds to counties with populations under 8,000 and counties that have not diverted county road levy funds for other purposes.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1099, sponsored by Sam Low, R-Lake Stevens, would establish a Tenant Assistance Program to provide monthly financial assistance of up to $400 for low-income renters, ensuring they pay no more than 30% of their monthly income on housing.
Washington’s housing crisis continues to burden residents across the state, with sky-rocketing home prices, the sixth-highest rents in the nation and more than 200,000 people experiencing homelessness or housing instability. In the past 40 years, Washington ranks #1 in the nation for the largest home price increase at 828 percent – way above the national average of 500 percent.
Rep. Low noted,”The situation we’re facing in Washington is dire. Nearly three-quarters of residents can’t afford to buy a median-priced home and renters are struggling with skyrocketing costs.” Low continued, “The housing crisis is not just about numbers—it’s about people—families struggling to make ends meet, young professionals unable to buy their first home, and seniors living in fear of losing what they’ve worked their entire lives to attain. This bill is designed to provide immediate relief and long-term solutions.”
Bill Summary
Washington State Substitute House Bill 1102 aims to expand the state’s veterans service officer program. The bill addresses the low percentage of Washington veterans receiving federal benefits, noting significant disparities across counties. It proposes expanding the program to increase the number of veterans accessing benefits by adding one to two officers per biennium, prioritizing counties with the lowest rates. Funding and reporting requirements are detailed, focusing on improving outreach, support, and data collection to better serve veterans. The bill modifies existing law to clarify eligibility and funding processes for the program.
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Taxes
Recognizing the tremendous sacrifices made by our military veterans by phasing down the disability rating requirements to ensure more disabled veterans are eligible for property tax relief.
Bill Summary
Rep. Stephanie Barnard, R-Pasco, has filed a bill to increase property tax breaks for disabled veterans in Washington State. House Bill 1106 seeks to lower the required disability ratings gradually, making more veterans eligible for property tax relief and providing greater financial assistance to those who have served.
Under current statute, veterans must have a combined service-connected evaluation rating of 80% or higher to qualify for the senior property tax exemption. It’s important to note that this bill does not impact all property-owning veterans who meet the service-connected thresholds. Veterans will still have to meet the financial requirements of 70% of the county median household income, which remains challenging to achieve. This bill does not impact those financial limits.
HB 1106 would introduce significant property tax relief measures through a phased approach to disability rating requirements. Starting in 2026, veterans with a combined service-connected evaluation rating of 60% or higher will become eligible for property tax exemptions. This eligibility threshold will gradually decrease to 40% in 2027 and further to 20% or higher, including those with a total disability rating, beginning in 2028 and beyond. This phased reduction aims to extend financial assistance to a broader group of veterans over time.
“This bill is a testament to our commitment to honor and support the brave men and women who have served our state and nation,” said Barnard. “By expanding property tax relief, we ensure that our disabled veterans receive the recognition and assistance they deserve while also maintaining fiscal responsibility for our local governments.”
Bill Summary
The median price of a single-family home in Washington now exceeds $600,000 – 29% higher than the national average. Rep. Mark Klicker, R-Walla Walla, wants to know why. He’s reintroduced bipartisan legislation that would create a task force of builders, realtors, lenders, tenants, landlords, and housing experts to determine what is driving these costs skyward. The task force would have until the end of 2026 to present its report to the Legislature.
“Until we get to the root of the problem, we’re not going to be able to fix it. We need to bring people to the table that are continuously in this environment”, states Klicker. Excessive government regulations tracing back to passage of the Growth Management Act in the 1990’s is one of the primary cost drivers. Klicker adds, “As regulations increase, and it starts at the state level and down to the local level, you continue to create more unaffordable housing.”
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Safety
Concerning accountability and access to services for individuals charged with a misdemeanor.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1113 is another soft-on-crime push by the Democrats that lacks justice and true accountability for crimes. It allows individuals charged with misdemeanors or gross misdemeanors to have their cases dismissed by the court if they substantially comply with court-ordered conditions over a 12-month period. By giving courts the discretion to dismiss charges based on subjective “substantial compliance,” the bill risks creating inconsistency and inequality in how justice is applied. Two defendants with similar charges could face vastly different outcomes depending on a judge’s interpretation, eroding fairness in the legal system.
Additionally, the bill excludes numerous serious offenses from eligibility but still allows dismissal for many potentially harmful crimes, raising public safety concerns. It weakens the justice system, potentially encouraging repeat offenses by signaling that charges can be cleared without accountability through trial or plea. The process also lacks strong oversight and lowers evidentiary standards for compliance hearings, as formal rules of evidence are not required. This creates a legal gray area that could be manipulated or inconsistently enforced, especially by liberal judges. While the bill claims to prioritize treatment and rehabilitation, it could overwhelm already-strained court systems with vague compliance tracking, and it provides no funding for the services defendants are expected to complete. Soft-on-crime has proven to be a tragic failure for society at large, and above all, it is unjust to the victims.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1119 amends an RCW to establish clearer guidelines for earning supervision compliance credit for offenders under the supervision of the Department of Corrections (DOC). It specifies that the procedures for earning this credit will be made available on the DOC website. The bill also clarifies that offenders can earn 10 days of credit for each month they comply with these terms. Additionally, it removes previous language regarding the requirement for offenders to make progress towards individualized supervision case plans.
Furthermore, the bill outlines the eligibility criteria for earning supervision compliance credit, specifying that offenders sentenced under certain statutes, those subject to specific types of supervision, or those with indeterminate sentences are not eligible. New provisions include the addition of offenders sentenced to any sentencing alternative and those subject to a governor’s conditional commutation as ineligible for this credit.
House Bill 1119 weakens accountability standards for individuals under Department of Corrections (DOC) supervision by loosening the criteria for earning supervision compliance credit. The bill removes language that previously required offenders to demonstrate progress toward individualized case plan goals—such as completing treatment or targeted interventions—and instead allows credit based merely on compliance with general supervision terms. This change incentivizes minimal effort and reduces the rehabilitative intent of community custody. By decoupling credits from meaningful progress, the bill undermines public safety and dilutes the purpose of community-based supervision. Please oppose this legislation.
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Freedom
Concerning restrictions on the working conditions and hours of sixteen- and seventeen-year olds.
Bill Summary
HB 1121 allows young workers enrolled in career and technical education (CTE) programs to work the same hours during the school year as they would during vacations and holidays. This bill empowers students by giving them the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while preparing for their futures. By lifting outdated restrictions, we ensure that students who are dedicated to learning skilled trades, technical professions, or other career-focused pathways can work, train, and earn without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. This is about more than just employment—it’s about equipping the next generation with skills, responsibility, and opportunities that will set them up for success. It makes sense: If a student is already in a structured, school-approved program, we should empower those skills into action, not limit them.
Bill Summary
Washington State House Bill 1125, the “Judicial Discretion Act,” proposes amendments to the state’s sentencing laws. The bill will give our liberal judges more authority to modify lengthy sentences for dangerous inmates who reportedly meet specific criteria, such as age at the time of the offense or terminal illness. The act also establishes procedures for petitioning for sentence modification, including victim notification and legal representation provisions, and addresses the financial implications of such modifications by creating a flexible fund for victim services. Finally, it modifies existing laws related to exceptional sentencing and collateral attacks on convictions.
The number of Democrats supporting this legislation and the absence of any conservative lawmakers should be your first clue that this is a bad bill. You have witnessed how well the Democrats ’soft on crime’ approach has worked over the past several years. Rather than admit their mistakes, they just continue to push for more leniency.
Bill Summary
This bill supports the saying: “A great threat to justice is the Committee for Justice.” In short, it is another move toward a soft-on-crime mentality. HB 1131 expands the Clemency and Pardons Board, not only doubling its size but also changing its composition in ways that risk politicizing decisions that should be impartial. Rather than requiring legal or judicial experience, the bill mandates the inclusion of individuals based on subjective criteria like “lived experience” or affiliation with specific groups, which could compromise the objectivity of such a critical board.
Even more concerning is the shift from the current high standard of “extraordinary circumstances” for granting clemency to the much lower and vague “interest of justice” standard. This dilutes the gravity of commutation and potentially opens the door for more frequent and less justified sentence reductions, undermining victims, courts, and public safety. The removal of Initiative 593’s age-related recommendation—ensuring only elderly, non-threatening individuals are considered for release—further signals a loosening of protections meant to guard society.
The Attorney General’s office and law enforcement groups have rightly raised constitutional and procedural red flags, particularly around the improper expansion of gubernatorial powers. By turning a serious legal process into something closer to a political or ideological exercise, this bill threatens to erode public trust in the justice system. Citizens should reject this bill to maintain the integrity of the clemency process and uphold the rights of victims and communities to fair, balanced justice.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1133 is a needed update to Washington’s civil commitment laws surrounding sexually violent predators (SVPs). It ensures that individuals who pose an ongoing threat to public safety are thoroughly evaluated, monitored, and treated with modernized procedures that prioritize community protection. The bill improves the process by which SVPs may petition for release, requiring more thorough mental health reviews and limiting repeated or premature petitions that waste court resources. It also allows the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to propose placements for less restrictive alternatives (LRAs), ensuring they meet strict safety criteria before an SVP can be reintegrated into the community.
Importantly, HB 1133 expands the definition of a sexually violent offense to include military and tribal convictions, closing loopholes and ensuring that all dangerous individuals are subject to the same legal standards. It further strengthens oversight by authorizing the Attorney General to issue civil investigative demands, speeding up and improving investigations without unnecessary court delays. To prevent manipulation of the system, individuals on LRA status would no longer earn early release credits through supervision compliance, a necessary protection to ensure they serve full terms of oversight.
This bill strikes a balance between civil liberties and public safety. It empowers the state to better manage the most dangerous offenders while allowing for fair review of those who may truly be ready for supervised release. HB 1133 is a bipartisan effort designed with the safety of families and communities in mind.
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Safety
Promoting public safety and deterring unlawful firearm possession by increasing criminal penalties for unlawful possession of a firearm.
Bill Summary
In a bid to crack down on criminal activity in Washington state, Rep. Sam Low, R-Lake Stevens, has pre-filed legislation to increase penalties for unlawful firearm possession. The bill, which was crafted with input from law enforcement and public safety leaders in Snohomish County, would ensure those who illegally carry firearms face greater consequences for breaking the law.
House Bill 1139 introduces significant changes to existing law, including reclassifying unlawful possession of a firearm in the first degree as a violent offense, increasing sentencing penalties for offenders, and mandating jail time for violations.
“A large number of gun-related crimes are committed by individuals who are in illegal possession of that firearm,” said Low. “This bill is not about gun control, nor is it anti-Second Amendment. Our goal with this legislation is to better protect our communities by ensuring firearms stay out of the hands of dangerous individuals who are already barred from owning them. If passed by the Legislature, offenders will no longer receive a slap on the wrist or benefit from catch-and-release policies. Instead, they will face tougher penalties that ensure accountability and safer communities across our state.”
Bill Summary
House Bill 1140 has been introduced by Rep. Travis Courture, R-Allyn and Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen. This legislation would create new “empowerED scholarships” using Education Savings Accounts. The proposal would specifically fund ESA’s for low income students, special needs families and students who are trapped in failing schools. The funds would be available via a state-issued debit card, with oversight capability. The money would have to be spent on education, including tuition, fees, textbooks, tutoring, therapies and more. The fund would receive revenue from the legislature, as well as a B&O tax credit, where businesses could offer support on a voluntary basis. The maximum scholarship for students without disabilities would be $12,700, but those who are special needs could receive more.
Democrats control near super majorities in the Washington legislature, and the state’s Superintendent of Public Instruction has made it clear he has no interest in providing families with more options, despite the state’s dramatic increase in education spending and equally dramatic poor public education outcomes. Instead, it appears more likely that lawmakers will simply throw more money at public education, even as fewer and fewer students attend public schools. In Washington, more than 118,000 students and their families now opt out of the state’s public school system.
Those who can afford to send their child to private school, or home school, already do so. But those who can’t are left behind, something this bill aims to fix. ESA’s are extremely popular with the general public – more than 70% support the policy nationwide.
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Health Care
Standardizing basis training and certification requirements for long-term care workers who provide in-home care for their family members, including spouses or domestic partners.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1142 standardizes basic training and certification requirements for long-term care workers providing in-home care, especially for family members, including spouses and domestic partners. The bill modifies existing laws (RCW 18.88B.041 and 74.39A.076) to establish specific training hour mandates based on care recipient relationships and care hours provided. Specifically, the bill explicitly includes long-term care workers caring for spouses or domestic partners as exempt from standard certification requirements, and outlines specific training requirements for different categories of family caregivers. For example, a parent caring for a developmentally disabled child must complete 12 hours of specialized training within 120 days of becoming a caregiver, while a spouse caring for another spouse must complete 15 hours of basic training and at least six hours of additional focused training based on the care recipient’s specific needs.
The bill also provides flexibility for different types of family caregivers, such as those providing limited hours of care or respite services, by establishing tailored training requirements. Additionally, the legislation maintains the principle that exempted workers are not prohibited from voluntarily enrolling in training programs and allows the department of social services to adopt rules to implement these provisions, including potential adjustments during emergencies like pandemics that might impact training accessibility.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1150, pedaled by Democrats as an environmental bill, is actually a hidden tax on groceries. This bill expands government control over recycling by creating extended producer responsibility (EPR) organizations, which will ultimately drive up costs for Washington families. Producers will be forced to pay hundreds of millions of dollars. These costs will be passed directly to consumers at the grocery store. Industry leaders have warned that grocery prices could spike as much as 16% because of this bill. Washingtonians are already paying some of the highest grocery prices in the country. The last thing families need right now is another cost hike, especially one driven by our government, once again, imposing additional regulations on businesses. This is a carbon copy of what has happened in our housing industry.
There remain serious questions as to whether EPR programs actually improve recycling rates and reduce waste, or if they create inefficiencies and bureaucracy without any significant environment benefits. For instance, without proper investments in recycling facilities and technology, requiring producers to take responsibility for recycling could lead to logistical challenges, in addition to the higher costs. Lastly, these imposed compliance costs and regulations will disproportionately impact smaller producers and businesses that will struggle to meet these requirements. Please oppose this bill.
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Environment
Ensuring environmental and public health protection from solid waste handling facility operations.
Bill Summary
HB 1154 is an environmental power grab. It shifts permitting authority for landfills and solid waste facilities from local jurisdictional health departments to the state’s Department of Ecology, and thus centralizes power at the state level and undermines local control. Communities know their unique needs and challenges better than state agencies that are often overburdened and out of touch with local realities. The bill mandates that all landfill permits—new or renewed—must receive Ecology’s approval, effectively adding a layer of bureaucracy that could delay essential waste services and drive up administrative costs. It also gives Ecology unilateral power to suspend permits and impose steep civil penalties, even without proven wrongdoing or local consultation. The threat of fines up to $10,000 per day could put smaller or rural waste facilities out of business, especially when enforcement criteria are vague and overly broad. In addition to landfills, it shift power to the state regarding solid waste facilities.
The bill’s five-year reporting requirement creates more red tape for local health districts, requiring staff time and resources without guaranteeing improved outcomes. It does not come with clear funding assurances, despite mandating new responsibilities, and includes a vague “null and void” clause about funding that makes implementation uncertain. In short, HB 1154 risks penalizing good actors for the missteps of a few, while straining local governments and waste management operations. Instead of voting for a sweeping state takeover, we should pursue smarter, more collaborative reforms that support both environmental goals and community-driven solutions. Please register CON against this bill in order to protect local control, efficient regulation, and balanced enforcement.
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Health Care
Authorizing access to certifications of birth and death to additional family members.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1157 is a simple yet meaningful improvement to Washington State’s vital records laws, ensuring that great-grandchildren have access to certified birth and death records of their ancestors. This bill expands the list of family members eligible to obtain these records, recognizing the increasing role that extended family members play in genealogy research, estate matters, and family history preservation.
Currently, Washington law allows spouses, children, parents, grandparents, and other close relatives to request certified birth and death records, but great-grandchildren are excluded—despite being direct descendants. This can create unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles for individuals seeking vital documents for legal, historical, or personal reasons. By passing HB 1157, Washington will modernize its record-access laws to reflect the needs of families today. Whether it’s settling inheritance matters, conducting genealogical research, or preserving family legacies, this bill ensures that great-grandchildren have the same rights as other close relatives when it comes to obtaining vital records.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1162 is another example of government overreach – particularly in the health care arena. This bill aims to enhance workplace violence prevention in health care settings by amending existing regulations and introducing new requirements. It mandates that each health care setting develop and implement a workplace violence prevention plan, which must be updated at least once a year. The plan should address various factors contributing to workplace violence, including security measures, staffing patterns, job design, and employee training. Additionally, health care settings with established safety or workplace violence committees are required to involve these committees in the development and monitoring of the prevention plan.
Furthermore, the bill introduces a new section that requires health care settings to conduct timely investigations of workplace violence incidents. These investigations must assess the contributing factors of each incident and include a detailed report submitted to the relevant committee. The report should analyze systemic causes of violence and provide recommendations for modifying prevention strategies. The frequency of these reports varies based on the type of health care setting, with some required to submit summaries twice a year and others quarterly. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.
The vast majority of health care entities in Washington State are not government facilities; therefore, they should not be mandated by state government to follow through on this “order”. Furthermore, why the focus on health care entities? If the government is going force this on healthcare entities, it should be required of every business. Can you imagine how well that would go over? Democrats need to stay out of the health care realm altogether. They can’t even manage government well.
Bill Summary
Rep. Mark Klicker, R – Walla Walla, has introduced bipartisan legislation that would strengthen community bonds and increase public safety while also driving small business growth. House Bill 1175 would require Washington cities and towns to allow small cafés and stores in residential areas. Under current Washington law, cities may allow these businesses, but they are not required to do so. Rep. Klicker introduced a similar bipartisan bill during the 2024 legislative session. HB 2252 made it through most of the legislative process before failing to be voted out of the Senate by the end of the session
The bill defines a neighborhood café as a business serving a limited menu. A business may also sell alcohol only if it also serves food. A neighborhood store is a small market of at least 500 square feet that may sell food, beverages and household items. The bill would not permit bars that solely sell alcohol, nightclubs or big-box stores and local governments could still regulate operating hours, parking and maximum square footage.
“This bill is fundamentally about creating community and fostering small business growth,” Klicker said. “Imagine walking down your sidewalk to a local coffee shop on a Saturday morning or stopping by a neighborhood market to get fresh produce and a gallon of milk. This also incentivizes people to grow a small business in their communities, which will bring more job opportunities for people closer to home.”
Rep. Klicker also said the bill would improve public safety by increasing foot traffic in neighborhoods. “Communities are safer when there are more eyes on the ground. Business owners and customers are invested in safe, vibrant neighborhoods.”
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Parenting
Concerning greater consistency in the provision of health care services for minors under the age of 17.
Bill Summary
Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, has pre-filed House bill 1176 for the upcoming 2025 legislative session, aimed at protecting parental rights and reinforcing the family’s role in caring for and protecting their minor children. The bill would raise the age at which minor children can independently consent to certain health care services to 17, protect families from unexpected financial liability, and keep parents informed about important medical decisions”
Under HB 1176, minor children must be at least 17 years old to consent to STD-related treatment, inpatient mental health or substance use disorder treatment, and other specified health services. Parents or guardians must give consent for minors under 17. The bill also prevents parents or guardians who did not consent to an abortion from being held financially responsible, and it bars state funds from covering abortion procedures for minor children under 17 unless the minor child’s life is in imminent danger. Additionally, the measure eliminates the “mature minor rule” where it conflicts with these new requirements, creating greater clarity for families and caregivers.
Drawing on personal experience, Walsh emphasized why family guidance is essential: “My wife and I raised five children. From that, I know that a minor child who’s 13 or 14 years old simply doesn’t have enough wisdom or experience to make informed choices about physical or mental health care. They are susceptible to all kinds of influences—some, not good. Those minor children need parents, grandparents, and family members to look out for them, to protect them. That’s what good parents do. That’s what families do.”
According to Walsh, HB 1176 will bring much-needed consistency to how minor children receive medical care. It removes the patchwork of regulations that have allowed health decisions to be made without parental consent or notification, while still preserving exceptions for life-threatening situations.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1178 seeks to roll back key sentencing enhancements, making it easier for violent criminals, drug offenders, and gang members to receive reduced sentences and early release. Instead of holding offenders accountable, this bill prioritizes leniency over public safety. It reduces penalties for gang-related crimes involving minors. Under this bill, criminals who recruit or exploit minors for gang-related felonies will no longer face enhanced sentences, weakening a critical tool for combating gang violence.
Firearm and deadly weapon enhancements, which were designed to keep armed offenders off the streets longer, would be eligible for early release and partial confinement. HB 1178 would remove the requirement that firearm and deadly weapon enhancements be served consecutively, allowing judges to run sentences concurrently and significantly reducing time served. Washingtonians deserve policies that deter crime and protect communities—not laws that make it easier for violent offenders to walk free.
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Safety
Implementing certain recommendations from the sex offender policy board concerning the criminal offense of failure to register.
Bill Summary
It is well-documented that sex offenders have extremely high recidivism rates. For this reason, the great majority of Washington citizens are very leery of reducing sentencing rates for registered sex offenders. In addition, community custody efforts are nearly always met with “not in my backyard” resistance.
Washington HB 1180, sponsored by Democrats, addresses changes to “Felony Failure to Register Offenses”. Felony Failure to Register as a sex offender is an unranked class C felony, and the elevation to a class B felony for a third or subsequent felony Failure to Register offense is removed. Furthermore, the definition of “sex offense” in the SRA is modified to not include a second or subsequent felony Failure to Register offense. The bill also encourages diversionary approaches for first-time offenders and mandates a minimum community custody period for certain offenders. Please oppose this legislation.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1183 overrides essential local zoning and development standards, weakening the ability of cities and counties to regulate building height, setbacks, and density in a way that reflects neighborhood character or infrastructure limits. It also mandates broad exemptions to off-street parking requirements, even in areas where transit service is minimal or unreliable, potentially leading to overcrowded streets and reduced accessibility for emergency vehicles, delivery trucks, and residents.
Additionally, HB 1183 imposes arbitrary caps on affordable housing unit sizes, disregarding the diverse needs of low-income families. By prioritizing compact units over livable space, it risks reducing the quality of life for vulnerable residents. The bill also curtails requirements for architectural features like facade modulation and upper-level setbacks, which are often vital to maintaining a visually appealing and human-scaled urban environment.
Even more concerning, the legislation prioritizes blanket development incentives over thoughtful, localized planning. By preempting existing codes and allowing expanded building envelopes under the guise of passive house standards or modular construction, it opens the door for dense developments without proper consideration of infrastructure capacity, traffic flow, or neighborhood feedback. These changes would be forced on cities regardless of their unique needs or public input, undermining democratic local governance. Furthermore, the bill’s provision allowing large rooftop solar panels to exceed existing height limits by up to four feet may create conflicts in areas with height-sensitive view corridors or sunlight access. HB 1183 is a one-size-fits-all solution that fails to respect the unique charm and variety of Washington communities.
Bill Summary
For many Washington families, manufactured homes offer an attainable path to homeownership. However, outdated lending rules make it difficult to secure affordable financing. Currently, homes in manufactured housing communities can only be financed with chattel loans, which come with higher interest rates and less favorable terms than traditional mortgages. These loans treat manufactured homes like vehicles or RVs rather than real estate, leading to significantly higher borrowing costs. This barrier makes homeownership unaffordable for many and discourages the creation of new resident-owned cooperatives. More than 1,000 households in Washington already live in resident-owned cooperatives, where residents collectively own the land beneath their homes.
House Bill 1191, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. April Connors, R-Kennewick, would allow these homeowners—and those seeking to join them—to eliminate the separate title to their home, reclassifying it as real property and improving access to more affordable financing. This change would make them eligible for conventional mortgages, unlocking better lending terms and lower interest rates. This legislation would align Washington with approximately 40 other states that have procedures to convert manufactured homes in resident-owned communities from personal to real property.
“This bill represents an important step forward in preserving one of the most affordable housing options we have in Washington,” said Connors. “If signed into law, House Bill 1191 will ensure homeowners in resident-owned cooperatives are no longer stuck with high-interest loans by providing access to the same mortgage options as any other homeowner. Currently, 84% of Washington families cannot afford a new home, our state ranks last for the per capita supply of affordable housing, and we are projected to need around 1 million new homes by 2044 to meet demand. It is critical we tackle our housing crisis head-on by reducing as many financial burdens as we can.”
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Elections
Revoking a person’s voting rights only when convicted of a state crime punishable by death.
Bill Summary
The passage of HB 1078, which took effect on January 1, 2022, restored voting rights to people with past felony convictions immediately after they finished their prison terms. Misdemeanors do not affect voting rights in this state. A juvenile conviction does not impact your right to vote. In addition, your voting rights cannot be revoked because of court debt.
Now, House Bill 1196, also known as the “Free the Vote Act”, narrows the definition of an “infamous crime” in Washington state to only include state crimes punishable by death, which significantly changes voting rights restoration for people with criminal convictions. Currently, individuals convicted of felonies lose their voting rights; however, under this new legislation, voting rights would only be revoked for those convicted of a state crime punishable by death. When a person is convicted of such a crime and sentenced to total confinement, their voting rights are automatically revoked, but those rights are also automatically restored once they are no longer serving a sentence of total confinement under the department of corrections. The bill requires individuals whose voting rights have been restored to re-register to vote before casting a ballot. Additionally, the legislation modifies various related statutes to align with this new definition, including voter registration forms, ballot declarations, and jury service eligibility.
When you commit crimes against society, and are removed from society for a period of time to serve a prison sentence, you deserve forfeiture of your voting rights. Once you have completed your prison sentence and paid all court debts, your rights should be automatically restored. We stand against firmly against any legislation that allows convicts the right to vote prior to their release from prison, especially those convicted of felonies.
I implore all democratic legislators to focus more attention on the innocent victims of crime rather than on the rights of those convicted of crimes. Please oppose this unnecessary legislation.
Bill Summary
Washington House Bill 1203 aims to protect public health by banning the sale of flavored tobacco and nicotine products in Washington State starting January 1, 2026. The proposal includes bans on flavored electronic cigarettes, also called vapes, menthol cigarettes and nicotine pouches, like Zyn. The legislation also targets so-called “entertainment vapor products” that include video games or music.
The bill cites alarming statistics on youth vaping and smoking rates, emphasizing the link between flavored products and addiction. In 2023, 29% of Washington’s 12th graders reported having tried e-cigarettes, according to the state’s Healthy Youth Survey. That’s compared to 17.5% who said they’d smoked cigarettes. Nationally, students who have used e-cigarettes overwhelmingly reported choosing flavored options, with fruit flavors being the most popular, according to federal Food & Drug Administration data.
It establishes penalties for retailers who violate the ban and mandates public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the dangers of these products. The legislation also includes amendments to existing laws concerning tobacco and vapor product sales, outlining specific enforcement procedures and penalties. Businesses licensed to sell these products would be required to post signage noting the statewide prohibition. The state Department of Health would also run a campaign to build awareness about the harms of flavored tobacco products.
Critics of such bans have argued the measures would cause the state to lose out on millions in tax revenue. How pathetic is that?
Bill Summary
House Bill 1207 amends the existing law regarding Superior Court clerk fees by updating the fee structure for various legal filings and introducing new surcharge requirements. The bill maintains the existing $200 filing fee for most civil actions, appeals, and probate proceedings, while keeping the lower $45 fee for unlawful detainer actions. It introduces a new $50 surcharge on specific filing fees, which will be distributed with $20 going to the Washington state legacy project, state library, and archives account, and $30 going to the judicial stabilization trust account.
The bill also continues previous provisions that waive fees for certain actions, such as petitions for relinquishment of parental rights and when an order of dismissal is filed. For criminal cases, the $200 defendant fee remains in place, with provisions for waiver or reduction for indigent defendants. Additionally, the bill clarifies existing surcharge requirements, with 75% of some surcharges being remitted to the state treasurer and 25% retained by the county. The overall intent appears to be maintaining court system funding while providing some flexibility for individuals with financial constraints.
This legislation significantly increases superior court filing fees and adds multiple new surcharges that can create financial barriers to accessing the court system. While some exemptions remain, the bill raises costs for filing civil actions, appeals, probate matters, and petitions—burdens that will disproportionately affect low- and middle-income litigants, especially self-represented parties. By layering additional fees and directing large portions of the revenue toward state accounts rather than court operations or legal aid, the bill prioritizes state budget goals over equitable access to justice. These fee hikes will deter legitimate claims and undermine the fairness and inclusivity of Washington’s judicial system. Please oppose this bill.
Bill Summary
State law currently requires teachers, police, registered nurses, social service counselors and members of several other professions to report to law enforcement or the state Department of Children, Youth and Families if they have reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse or neglect. This bill would add clergy to the list and remove their privilege to keep information shared in penitent communications confidential.
Democratic state lawmakers are trying again to require clergy members in Washington to report child abuse or neglect, including when it is disclosed to them by a congregant during confession. This is the third straight session that the issue will be debated. Past efforts failed when the two legislative chambers disagreed on whether to protect what’s heard in confessions. Sen. Noel Frame, D-Seattle, and Rep. Amy Walen, D-Kirkland, have introduced companion bills in the House and Senate to add clergy to the state’s roster of professions whose members must inform law enforcement if they believe a child has been harmed. The proposed legislation would close the controversial “clergy-penitent privilege” loophole.
The Washington State Catholic Conference opposes the legislation. The conference is the “public policy voice” of the Catholic Bishops of the Archdiocese of Seattle, the Diocese of Spokane, and the Diocese of Yakima. “We remain willing to have clergy as mandatory reporters but Catholic priests cannot reveal what is said in the confessional,” wrote Jean Welch Hill, the organization’s executive director. The WSCC welcomes narrowing the clergy-penitent privilege to sacramental confession only and they support mandatory reporting for situations outside of confession. Hill adds, “If they comply with the bill as it is written, the priest will be automatically excommunicated. To demand that a priest choose between compliance with the law or the loss of his lifelong vocation is exactly what the First Amendment is supposed to protect against.”
Abolishing the clergy-penitent privilege would likely prevent abusers from confessing and hinder priests’ efforts to instruct offenders to turn themselves in. The U.S. Constitution protects the clergy-penitent privilege. In addition, the Ninth Circuit, which includes Washington state, recognizes that no state or federal court has ever approved government invasion of the sacrament of confession. The United States Supreme Court has held that “suits cannot be maintained which would require a disclosure of the confidences of the confessional…” Totten v. United States, 92 U.S. 105, 107 (1875). Legally speaking, removing the clergy-penitent privilege would be an unconstitutional violation of civil liberties and would violate the First Amendment’s Free Exercise clause because it would threaten priests with legal sanctions unless they violate their religious vows. In effect, It would say that it’s good for lawyers to keep confessions secret for secular reasons, but it’s illegal for priests to keep confessions secret for religious reasons.
For three years, protection of what is said in the confessional has been the dividing line between the Senate and the House. Proponents of the bill insist that no religious law should be above state law. “It is traumatizing to have colleagues who I love and trust and have respect for tell me to my face that freedom of religion is more important than protecting children,” said Sen. Frame. Last year, Frame crafted what she described as a “delicate” and “very narrowly defined compromise” with the Washington State Catholic Conference. It preserved the clergy-penitent privilege. But, under the legislation, if a religious leader heard a child may be at imminent risk of harm in a confession and in another setting, when they were not carrying out their work as a religious leader, they had a responsibility to contact authorities. The Senate passed the bill but it lapsed in a House committee.
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Freedom
Expanding protections for workers in the state paid family and medical leave program.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1213 is another attack against businesses. It imposes unnecessary burdens on small businesses and creates potential for abuse within the system. The bill lowers the threshold for claiming benefits from 8 to just 4 consecutive hours, opening the door for fragmented, difficult-to-manage leave requests that disrupt workflow and increase administrative complexity. More troubling is the elimination of the minimum hours-worked requirement for job protection; now, any employee who’s been with an employer for just 90 days can claim protected leave, regardless of how little they’ve worked. This could severely impact scheduling and staffing, especially for smaller employers who already struggle to cover absences.
The legislation also expands job protections to unpaid leave periods under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, further complicating employers’ obligations and blurring the lines between paid and unpaid leave entitlements. With mandatory health care coverage during these leaves, even for intermittent or short-duration absences, employers face rising costs without any new funding to offset them. The bill also requires burdensome record-keeping and audits by the Employment Security Department, adding yet another layer of compliance red tape for businesses.
HB 1213 swings the pendulum too far, prioritizing administrative rigidity over flexibility and fairness. It erodes the balance between supporting workers and keeping businesses viable. This bill ultimately expands entitlements without proper safeguards or consideration of economic impacts, especially for small employers.
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Life
Removing references to pregnancy from the model directive form under the natural death act.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1215 removes a specific provision related to pregnancy from the model directive form under Washington state’s Natural Death Act. Currently, the form includes language that would nullify the advance directive if the person is diagnosed as pregnant. The bill eliminates this clause, which means a person’s advance healthcare directive will remain valid regardless of pregnancy status. The bill modifies the existing health care directive form by removing the pregnancy-specific language that previously stated the directive would have no force or effect during pregnancy. Additionally, the bill makes some minor technical adjustments to the lettering of subsequent sections of the form (renumbering sections after removing the pregnancy clause). The changes ensure that individuals can maintain their previously stated healthcare wishes even if they become pregnant, potentially giving patients more control over their medical decisions across different life circumstances. Despite completely different DNA, this bill provides no legal rights for a baby in the womb, regardless of its development stage.
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Housing
Improving housing stability for tenants subject to the residential landlord-tenant act and the manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant act by limiting rent and fee increases, requiring notice of rent and fee increases, limiting fees and deposits, establishing a landlord resource center and associated services, authorizing tenant lease terminatio, creating parity between lease types, and providing attorney general enforcement.
Bill Summary
HB 1217, a rent control bill, will lead to limited housing supply, a downturn in housing development options and ultimately will lead to increased rental costs. Over any 12-month period, the bill limits rent and/or fee increases to a maximum of 7%. Furthermore, the bill prohibits rent and/or fee increases during the first year of rental, regardless of the length or type of lease. HB 1217 also provides other protections for tenants, including rent and/or fee increase notice requirements, lease termination provisions, and limits on security deposits, late fees and move-in fees. Historically, wherever rent control laws have been put in place, housing and rental costs have increased substantially. Please oppose this legislation.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1218 addresses competency to stand trial provisions that risks criminalizing mental illness. One of the most troubling aspects is the proposed “growth cap program,” which imposes financial penalties on counties that exceed a set number of inpatient competency restoration orders. This creates a clear incentive to deny or delay necessary treatment for mentally ill defendants in order to avoid costs, effectively placing a price tag on access to justice and healthcare.
Additionally, the bill weakens protections for vulnerable individuals by removing strict requirements for outpatient competency restoration—like abstaining from alcohol or drugs—potentially setting people up to fail in treatment. The expansion of involuntary medication under the Sell Doctrine (2003) also raises red flags. Forcing medication on defendants based on broad interpretations of court discretion risks violating civil liberties and bodily autonomy, especially for individuals already struggling with severe mental illness.
Ultimately, HB 1218 shifts the focus from compassionate, individualized treatment to systemic cost-cutting and administrative control. It risks exacerbating disparities and pushing already vulnerable people further through the cracks. Please reject this bill and demand legislation that genuinely prioritizes care, dignity, and due process.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1232 expands the state’s oversight and regulation of private detention facilities—but it does so in ways that overreach, introduce unnecessary bureaucracy, and risk unintended consequences. While framed as a push for humane standards, the bill imposes sweeping mandates that could strain facility operations, create legal confusion, and compromise public safety by diverting resources from effective management to regulatory compliance. It eliminates previous exemptions for juvenile treatment centers, meaning therapeutic facilities—like those offering mental health or substance use care—could now be subject to the same penalties as for-profit detention centers, despite their drastically different missions.
This bill gives the Department of Health unchecked authority to inspect and penalize private facilities with vague definitions of noncompliance, including fines of up to $1 million. Such broad enforcement power invites inconsistency and opens the door to politically motivated targeting. Additionally, the bill duplicates existing oversight mechanisms, risking overlap and inefficiency, especially as federal courts have already issued injunctions blocking parts of previous similar legislation (HB 1470). Most importantly, HB 1232 reinforces the current system under a more complex web of rules, giving a false sense of reform. Citizens should oppose this bill because HB 1232 does too much, too broadly, without delivering real systemic change. It burdens facilities, jeopardizes community-based treatment centers, and invites costly legal battles, all without solving the root problems.
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Safety
Concerning training as an alternative to driver license suspension for the accumulation of certain traffic infractions.
Bill Summary
Washington law currently mandates a 60-day driver’s license suspension for individuals who accumulate three moving violations within a year or four within two years. The suspension is followed by a one-year probation period, during which any additional moving violation results in a 30-day extension. Under HB 1244, drivers who receive notice of a pending suspension for multiple infractions can complete a DOL-approved safe-driving course to have their suspension terminated early. They must still meet requirements for proof of automobile insurance and pay any necessary licensing fees. This alternative to suspension would be available only once every five years. If approved by the Senate and signed into law, SHB 1244 will take effect on April 1, 2026.
This legislation underscores another partisan divide over bills that loosen penalties for offenders. HB 1244 is the latest effort by Democratic legislators to ease penalties for repeat traffic offenders – and criminals in general. Supporters of the bill argue that mandatory education will have a longer-lasting impact on driver behavior than simply taking away driving privileges. If the bill becomes law, Washington would join 25 other states that already offer similar training-based alternatives to license suspension.
Republican lawmakers argue that lowering penalties for repeat traffic offenders could put public safety at risk. “Over the last several years, we have seen tragic statistics in our state,” said Rep. Andrew Barkis, R-Olympia. “Statistics on our highways, of some of the highest fatalities that we’ve seen in decades… there needs to be a deterrent to the behavior that we’re seeing.” Barkis emphasized that drivers receive multiple warnings before facing suspension, suggesting that reducing penalties could fail to deter repeat offenders. “It takes quite a bit to get a suspended license. It takes many different instances of a violation,” he said. “Most of the time when we’re seeing a suspended license, these are for egregious acts that have been committed—one, two, three times—and so that license should be suspended.” Barkis argued that penalties serve an important role in discouraging reckless driving. “Education is important, but so are penalties, so are deterrents,” Barkis said. “With that, I think that it would be best if we work on that deterrent, as opposed to education after the fact.” Please oppose HB 1244.
Bill Summary
Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn has proposed the creation of the Office of Entrepreneurship in House Bill 1245. Under the bipartisan bill, the Office of Entrepreneurship would be created to promote policies and programs for startups, collaborate with other organizations to support education and technical support, and expand access to other resources for entrepreneurs across the state. The office would also serve as the point of contact to help businesses navigate their interactions with state agencies and identify government regulations and fees that stymie new business growth in Washington.
The bill would also require the state to start tracking whether it is using its power as a purchaser of private sector goods and services to benefit new and early-stage businesses. Centralizing responsibility for making it easier to start a business in the Office of Entrepreneurship will allow the public to hold government accountable for improvement in regulations affecting small business.
It is incredibly difficult to start a small business in Washington state and even more challenging to be successful if you do. According to the National Federation of Independent Business, Washington state ranked dead last for startup survivability based on 2022 data. Forbes ranked Washington 48th in the nation in a list of best states to start a business, behind only New York and Vermont. While several state agencies help those who want to start a business in Washington, our rankings make it clear that the current system is not enough.
“The goal here is not to grow government,” said Couture. “The goal is to boost our business startup success rates, grow jobs, and cut the red tape currently serving as a barrier to entrepreneurs. There are so many barriers to starting a new business here, including high taxes, cumbersome regulations, and more. The creation of this office will streamline all of the government bureaucracy and help expand small business across the state. An entrepreneurial economy is a win for all Washingtonians.”
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Energy
Creating the commercial lift off for energy from advanced nuclear advisory commission.
Bill Summary
As Washington state’s energy demands grow, driven by population increases and the rapid adoption of electric vehicles, Rep. Stephanie Barnard, R-Pasco, has introduced bipartisan House Bill 1249 to establish the ‘Commercial Liftoff for Energy from the Advanced Nuclear Advisory Commission’. The proposed commission aims to build public confidence in nuclear energy by providing accurate, trusted information about its safety and reliability, ensuring Washingtonians have confidence in the additional electricity generation needed to meet the state’s clean energy goals. The advisory commission will consist of 13 members representing academia, industry, government, and tribal organizations. In addition to developing policy recommendations, planning for new facilities, and creating a skilled workforce, the commission will actively engage with the public through forums and outreach programs to ensure transparency and awareness.
The proposed commission will adhere to a clear reporting schedule. Its first recommendations would be due on October 1, 2026, with biennial updates to follow. These reports will outline detailed roadmaps with timelines and targets to support the siting and construction of additional nuclear facilities in Washington. Nuclear energy could also play a critical role in supporting Washington’s expanding technology sector, including the growth of data centers. These facilities are essential to powering cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and other advanced technologies that drive the modern economy. Data centers are highly energy-intensive, requiring uninterrupted, reliable power to operate efficiently.
Washington state is home to numerous data centers essential to supporting local and global digital infrastructure. Nuclear energy’s ability to provide scalable, around-the-clock electricity positions it as a cornerstone for meeting the increasing energy demands of this important industry. According to a Bisconti Research report commissioned by Energy Northwest, 82% of Washingtonians believe nuclear energy is important for meeting the state’s future electricity needs. Growing public support underscores the importance of establishing a trusted source of information on nuclear energy.
“Energy security is fundamental,” Barnard added. “We are forecast to be short of energy by 2030. Without abundant, safe, clean, reliable nuclear energy, there is no credible path to a carbon-free or thriving economy. Nuclear energy provides the consistent, low-carbon power supply that data centers need,” said Barnard. “As we build the clean energy future, we must ensure that industries critical to our state’s economic growth, such as technology and data centers, have access to secure and sustainable energy sources.”
Bill Summary
House Bill 1252 modifies existing laws regarding pretrial release for both adults and juveniles, introducing new requirements for judicial officers when determining release conditions. The bill establishes that if a defendant has previously resisted arrest, attempted to elude police, or required substantial resources (multiple units, canine team, drones, air support) to apprehend, there is a rebuttable presumption against simple personal recognizance release. In such cases, judicial officers must now document in writing their rationale for releasing a defendant on personal recognizance, declining electronic monitoring, or setting bail lower than recommended by prosecutors.
The bill requires these written findings to explain how public safety and the defendant’s future court appearance will be ensured. Additionally, the Administrative Office of the Courts must maintain a public database of these orders and submit an annual report to the legislature and law enforcement associations detailing the number of such release orders. The bill applies these new provisions to both adult criminal cases and juvenile justice proceedings, with similar documentation and reporting requirements.
This legislation comes in the wake of the tragic murder of 13 y.o. Jayda Woods-Johnson at Alderwood Mall this past summer. The 16 y.o. suspect in Johnson’s case was initially permitted to post bond shortly after his arrest, leading to his immediate release from Jail. “I really want judges to have to pause, to be thoughtful in those decisions, show their work and to show the public and the community that they are serving how in their minds public safety is going to be maintained with this particular defendant out in the community” said Rep. Lauren Davis, D-Shoreline, the bill’s primary sponsor. Davis says her fellow Democrats need to address the bleeding now. “The number one issue that my constituents are concerned about is public safety. People don’t feel safe and they have every right not to feel safe,” said Davis.
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Energy
Expanding the ability of consumer-owned utilities to enter into joint use agreements.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1253 is a step forward in modernizing and expanding the flexibility of consumer-owned utilities, allowing them to form new partnerships that will enhance energy development and transmission. By broadening the types of agreements that cities, public utility districts, and joint operating agencies can enter into—including joint ventures and limited liability company agreements—this bill paves the way for increased collaboration with private entities and other stakeholders to build a more resilient and efficient energy infrastructure. Moreover, HB 1253 prioritizes clean energy by explicitly enabling agreements for developing renewable energy facilities and energy storage projects, ensuring that communities can invest in sustainable solutions for the future. Importantly, it removes outdated provisions related to coal-fired power plants, signaling a commitment to cleaner energy and environmental responsibility.
Bill Summary
The bipartisan bill establishes a surcharge of $183 per document recorded by the county auditor, which is in addition to any other charges authorized by law. Certain documents, such as assignments of previously recorded deeds of trust, vital records (birth, marriage, divorce, death), and various lien documents, are exempt from this surcharge. The funds collected from this surcharge will be allocated as follows: 1% for the county auditor’s fee collection activities, 30% for county use, 54.1% to the state treasurer for the home security fund, 13.1% for the affordable housing for all account, and 1.8% for the landlord mitigation program account.
Additionally, the bill specifies how counties can utilize their portion of the collected funds. It mandates that counties retain at least 75% of their share for local homeless housing plans unless a city within the county opts to run its own program. In such cases, the funds for administrative costs and local homeless housing plans must be combined and distributed based on the city’s share of the real estate excise tax. The bill also allows counties and cities to use up to 10% of their funding for administrative costs related to their homeless housing programs. Overall, the bill aims to enhance funding for homelessness assistance and affordable housing initiatives while providing flexibility for local governments in managing these resources.
Bill Summary
HB 1261 is a tax cut for farmers. It’s a practical piece of legislation that strengthens Washington’s commitment to preserving farmland while supporting the economic viability of local farms. This bill provides vital tax relief to farmers by clarifying and expanding the kinds of incidental activities that can legally take place on open space farm and agricultural land without risking a loss of special tax classification. It recognizes that modern farms are increasingly turning to agritourism—such as educational tours, seasonal festivals, weddings, and harvest-your-own operations—as a way to generate much-needed supplemental income. Rather than penalizing these creative uses, HB 1261 supports them.
The bill also makes a key change by reducing the penalty for removing land from this special classification. Instead of owing seven years of back taxes, landowners would now only owe four—easing the burden on those who must reclassify their land for legitimate reasons. It allows minor upgrades to existing structures—like adding plumbing or a cement pad—without triggering reclassification, so long as the land remains primarily agricultural. By making these changes, HB 1261 gives small and mid-sized farmers more flexibility to thrive without sacrificing the integrity of agricultural zoning laws. This legislation ensures that farmlands remain in production, while offering farms the opportunity to adapt and evolve in a challenging economic landscape. By supporting this bill, we help to protect our farmers, our rural land, and our local economy.
Bill Summary
This bipartisan bill modifies the existing law regarding mobilization of fire service resources by clarifying the roles and responsibilities of various agencies in emergency response and expanding definitions related to emergency response. Specifically, the bill outlines conditions under which state resources will be deployed. It also updates the definition of “mobilization” to allow for resources to be deployed in preparation of, or in response to, an emergency situation that has or is predicted to exceed local capabilities. The bill maintains the existing prohibition on mobilizing fire resources for law enforcement activities during civil protests, while ensuring that fire departments can still provide medical care and firefighting services. The legislation defines key terms such as “all risk resources” (which include responses to events like wild land fires, landslides, earthquakes, floods, and contagious diseases), “fire chief,” and “jurisdiction.” The bill also specifies that when mobilization is declared, all fire protection authorities’ resources are considered mobilized, and non-host fire protection authorities providing resources will be eligible for expense reimbursement. Importantly, the bill does not reduce or suspend the Department of Natural Resources’ existing authority for fire-related responsibilities.
Bill Summary
HB 1272 extends and strengthens a program designed to help some of Washington’s most vulnerable children—those experiencing complex crises who often fall through the cracks of the system. These are youth who may be stuck in hospitals unnecessarily due to a lack of appropriate placement options, or children in unstable foster care situations with nowhere safe to go. The bill changes the role of the program’s lead from a coordinator to a project director, a move that reflects the growing importance and scale of this effort.
More importantly, HB 1272 extends the operation of the “rapid care team” until at least 2027. This team brings together agencies like the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, the Health Care Authority, and others to respond to crisis cases, ensuring children are matched with safe, stable services and placements as quickly as possible. Without this extension, the current program would expire in June 2025—leaving a dangerous gap in services for high-needs youth. HB 1272 ensures the state doesn’t turn its back on them once the pilot program sunsets.
Bill Summary
HB 1273 passed the House with unanimous vote. It assists students who want to get a head start on their careers while still in high school. By extending a successful pilot program, it makes career and technical education (CTE) dual credit programs more accessible, ensuring that students can earn both high school and college credits at the same time—without unnecessary financial barriers. The bill provides funding to cover out-of-pocket costs for students and their families, making higher education more affordable. It helps align high school courses with real-world career pathways, ensuring that students are prepared for in-demand, high-paying jobs. It also streamlines the credit transfer process, so students don’t lose valuable progress when they continue their education. Additionally, the bill mandates a thorough evaluation of dual credit programs to make them even more effective. Schools, colleges, and industry partners will work together to ensure students receive the right support and guidance. This means better advising, clearer pathways to apprenticeships, and stronger connections between education and the workforce.
The main sponsor, Rep. Dave Paul (D-10th District), emphasized the need for stronger credit transfer policies saying, “We need to do a better job of helping students understand their options and ensuring these credits count toward their future goals. Strengthening CTE dual credit programs is a crucial investment in Washington’s future workforce.” Paul’s office points out: “CTE Dual Credit provides high school students with early exposure to workforce training and higher education while earning postsecondary credentials. In 2023, over 56,000 students enrolled in these courses. Yet only 3% of students used these credits to earn a credential in a related field. Many students, especially in rural areas, are unaware of credit opportunities due to outdated systems and administrative barriers.”
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Safety
Concerning retroactively applying the requirements to exclude certain juvenile convictions from an offender score regardless of the date of the offense.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1274, if passed, would allow for the early release of violent criminals by automatically recalculating their sentencing scores, leading to reduced sentences. Washington is facing a serious public safety crisis. In fact, public safety was the number one concern of Washingtonians in a poll done prior to the start of Legislative Session. Our crime rates rank among the top ten in the nation in multiple categories. Letting violent offenders, including murderers and rapists, out early not only denies justice for victims and their families, but it also puts every law-abiding citizen at greater risks. Furthermore, reducing sentences does not necessarily mean that crime rates will go down. There is no clear evidence that removing juvenile adjudications from offender scores will lead to better rehabilitation or lower recidivism rates.
Proponents of the bill will argue that the bill includes a provision allowing denial of resentencing if there’s a likelihood of reoffending, but this is a highly subjective standard that may not be applied consistently, particularly considering the number of woke, far-left liberal judges in Washington. Judges may apply the law differently in every case, meaning that some offenders may get reduced sentences while others may not. The bill allows a large number of incarcerated criminals to petition for resentencing, which could certainly overwhelm our overburdened court systems an create significant costs for the state. In addition, the requirement for public defenders to represent individuals who cannot afford counsel adds further strain on our legal system.
Bill Summary
The bill outlines enhancements to standard sentence ranges based on factors like use of firearms or deadly weapons, commission of crimes within correctional facilities, and the presence of aggravating circumstances such as sexual motivation or involvement of minors.The bill also includes a provision giving courts more discretion when sentencing individuals who committed crimes before turning 18, allowing judges to consider the defendant’s youth and circumstances when applying mandatory sentencing enhancements. These changes aim to provide more precise and potentially more flexible sentencing guidelines, with a specific focus on addressing organized retail theft as a criminal activity.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1279 is a key step toward protecting Washington students from deceptive or predatory practices by higher education institutions, especially those offering online and out-of-state programs. In an increasingly digital world, where more students enroll in distance learning or online universities, it’s essential that the same consumer protections available to in-state students also extend to those studying remotely. HB 1279 ensures exactly that by strengthening the Washington Student Achievement Council’s (WSAC) authority to hold all institutions—regardless of their location—accountable for the quality and transparency of their programs.
The bill closes critical gaps in oversight created by interstate reciprocity agreements, which have often allowed institutions to avoid meaningful state-level scrutiny by deferring complaint investigations to other states. With this bill, Washington retains control over the protection of its own residents by ensuring WSAC cannot delegate complaints to other states, ensuring faster and more transparent resolution processes for students harmed by misleading programs.
Finally, another important element of the bill is its requirement for institutions to clearly disclose student rights and complaint processes, helping prospective and current students make more informed decisions. Transparency around investigations or provisional status will help prevent students from unknowingly enrolling in financially unstable or non-compliant programs. By keeping financial disclosure exemptions narrow and in line with federal standards, HB 1279 strikes a balance between transparency and confidentiality, ensuring that bad actors cannot hide behind legal technicalities while still respecting legitimate privacy rules. Please register PRO.
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Education
Making financial education instruction a graduation requirement in public schools.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1285 is a strong bi-partisan bill meant to ensure that graduating students have a basic grasp of financial literacy, including things like balancing a household budget and understanding the interest on a loan. This legislation mandates that school districts provide financial education instruction and ensure students meet state financial literacy standards to graduate.
A similar bill was on track for passage during the 2024 legislative session but got derailed. “This year, I removed the half-credit requirement,” Rude said “It maintains the graduation requirement, but doesn’t quantify it, in deference to the work the state board is doing.” This bill emphasizes flexibility for districts, allowing students to receive financial education through career and technical education courses, online programs, or integration into existing classes like math. “There is also a provision in law that allows professionals to come in and teach in schools, and the credit unions have already offered to help and the state treasurer has a financial education program for adults, so there are a lot of opportunities out there,” Rude continued.
“This has been a topic I’ve been hearing from the public on for a long time and students are asking for it, too,” said bill sponsor Rep. Skyler Rude, R-Walla Walla. “As they’re leaving high school, every one of these graduates is going to be making financial decisions, whether it’s continuing education or purchasing their first car and insurance, it’s something they need to understand,” Rude said. A bill passed in 2022 required Washington’s 295 public school districts to adopt one or more financial education goals by March 1, 2023. Rude’s bill goes further, requiring financial education for every student as a condition of graduation.
Bill Summary
Bill Summary
House Bill 1291 claims to reduce out-of-pocket costs for maternity care, but in reality, it introduces unfair cost burdens, potential premium hikes, and long-term instability in the healthcare system. By exempting labor and delivery services from deductibles, this bill shifts costs to everyone else, forcing insurance companies to recoup expenses through higher premiums for all enrollees, including those who may not use maternity services. This makes healthcare more expensive overall, especially for young workers, retirees, and families who are already struggling with rising costs.
Moreover, HB 1291 undermines the structure of high-deductible health plans (HDHPs), which are designed to keep premiums affordable and allow enrollees to save in tax-advantaged Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). This bill forces adjustments that could limit consumer choice and disrupt the financial benefits of these plans for many families. While supporting maternity care is important, HB 1291 takes the wrong approach by raising costs across the board instead of pursuing targeted, sustainable solutions.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1293 seeks to address and mitigate the problem of littering in Washington State. It does so by strengthening penalties for littering, ensuring restitution for cleanup costs, and requiring community restitution in specific cases. Additionally, the bill establishes a Littering Solutions Task Force to develop actionable policy recommendations aimed at reducing litter statewide. Key provisions of the bill include: Class 2 civil infraction for littering under one cubic foot, misdemeanor for littering between one cubic foot and 10 cubic yards, gross misdemeanor for littering over 10 cubic yards and mandatory restitution payments based on cleanup costs, with funds directed to landowners and law enforcement. In addition, littering violations in state parks require offenders to perform 24 hours of community service within the park. Representatives from state agencies, businesses, and environmental organizations will work together to craft solutions.
Litter pollutes public lands, waterways, and wildlife habitats. HB 1293 helps protect these areas, ensuring cleaner, more enjoyable spaces for residents and visitors. Leveraging the findings from the 2022 statewide litter study ensures that recommendations and actions are based on evidence and effectively target the most pressing issues. The bill creates stricter penalties for littering, incentivizing responsible disposal habits and discouraging behaviors that harm the environment. By requiring restitution payments and establishing a task force to reduce cleanup costs, the bill promotes efficient use of taxpayer dollars while addressing root causes. Finally, requiring litter offenders to clean up state parks foster community pride and involvement in maintaining public spaces.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1294 from the Washington State Legislature extends the life of the agricultural Pesticide Application Safety Committee to July 1, 2035. The bipartisan bill establishes the committee’s composition, responsibilities, and reporting requirements. The committee’s main tasks include researching pesticide data collection, exploring safety improvements, and recommending policy changes. An advisory work group will assist the committee, providing expertise on agricultural pesticide application. The bill also expands funding for agricultural pesticide applicator training programs.
Bill Summary
You may recall that I-2081 (Parent’s Bill of Rights) was drafted and overwhelmingly approved by legislators. The Democrats were aware of the popularity of this Initiative, so it passed with little opposition: an 82-15 vote in the House and a unanimous 49-0 vote in the Senate. Fast forward to 2025, and the same Democratic legislators are seeking to pass a bill that will erase your voice. House Bill 1296 (and its companion bill, SB 5181), guts the Parent’s Bill of Rights.
The Bill is clearly not aimed at providing a “safe and supportive public education system”. Rather, it’s a bill that will “protect” the few children who receive medical and mental-health services without their parents’ knowledge or consent. To be clear, the intent is clearly to ensure that these kids’ records do not end up in the hands of their parents.
The Bill also requires School districts to implement new policies and procedures, written by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, around “privacy rights of minors; and the licensure or other professional requirements for school district employment classifications, if any, related to protecting student privacy.” Schools that fail to meet these new policies and procedures will face OSPI-issued sanctions. Furthermore, each school district must designate a watch dog to ensure compliance of the “policies and procedures relating to gender inclusive schools.” In short, this Bill empowers OSPI to hammer any district that fails to conform to these new “inclusivity” standards.
The Bill’s sponsors seem to equate “discrimination” with children not receiving medical procedures and other medical/mental services by the school district related to their gender identity without their parents’ knowledge or consent. The Bill requires the schools to adopt – at the expense of your right to protect your children from materials – teaching and extracurricular activities that are in opposition to your own belief system. You will have access to your child’s classroom but not to curriculum, textbooks or supplemental materials.
You can only opt your child out of surveys, not assignments, questionnaires, role-playing activities, recordings of their child, or other student engagements that include questions about a very narrow set of topics. For example, the legislature is looking to remove the sentence that “allows” you to opt out of surveys about your “child’s sexual experiences or attractions.” This bill lays out protection from retaliation for the school district employees who implement the rules laid out.
This bill should be gravely concerning to all parents in Washington state, as these Representatives feel the need to keep parents out of the loop and “protect” certain ideologies and the services provided around those ideologies. More importantly, they’re simply writing parent’s out of the children’s lives and replacing them with the educational system. It is clear that these rules are not in the best interest of children or the family unit, as their aim is that parents are kept out of life-altering decisions and mind-altering instruction that may be in opposition to their beliefs about how their own child should be raised.
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Taxes
Easing the financial burden on families by removing sales and use tax on diapers and essential child care products.
Bill Summary
Bill Summary
House Bill 1308 imposes burdensome requirements on employers and opens the door to costly litigation. It mandates that employers provide a full copy of an employee’s personnel file within 21 days of a request — a tight turnaround that could be difficult for small businesses lacking dedicated HR departments. Additionally, former employees can demand a written statement detailing their discharge and reasons, which could lead to disputes over interpretation or language that fuels legal claims.
Most concerning, however, is the bill’s creation of a private cause of action. This allows individuals to sue employers for missing deadlines, with automatic financial penalties and attorney fees, incentivizing lawsuits over technicalities rather than real harm. Existing laws already grant employees access to their records, and the Department of Labor can intervene if employers fail to comply. There’s no need to create more red tape and liability, especially when businesses are already navigating complex compliance landscapes. HB 1308 also does not require employers to retain certain records, yet penalizes them for not providing those records if requested. This contradiction could trap well-meaning employers in unfair legal situations. Ultimately, the bill shifts too much power to disgruntled former employees and trial lawyers at the expense of job creators.
Bill Summary
Washington State House Bill 1310 is a bipartisan bill that aims to improve special education funding. The bill addresses issues of inadequate funding, proposing to eliminate enrollment caps and increase funding multipliers. It emphasizes inclusion by incentivizing students’ placement in general education settings. The bill also streamlines the safety net application process for districts with exceptional needs and establishes mechanisms for monitoring and reducing disproportionality in special education identification. Finally, it mandates reporting on the impact of these changes.
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Environment
Concerning the implementation of the recommendations of the department of fish and wildlife regarding the gray wolf.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1311 addresses the management and protection of gray wolves in Washington state by implementing recommendations from the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The bill finds that the wolf population has grown steadily for 14 consecutive years since 2008, expanding across various regions of the state, and determines that the current “endangered” designation is no longer appropriate. Instead, the bill proposes changing the wolves’ status to “sensitive,” which would protect them from unlawful take, harassment, and hunting while still allowing for ongoing monitoring and cooperative management. The new classification would prohibit wolf hunting, maintain their listing as a priority species, and require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to prioritize wolf conservation. The sensitive species designation would be reviewed in two years and would only revert to endangered status if the wolf population is shown to be vulnerable or declining below the current population count. The bill amends existing wildlife classification laws to provide this new regulatory framework and requires the director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife to implement these changes as soon as practicable. The WDFW will manage wolves under the new classification, prioritizing conservation efforts and habitat protection.
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Safety
Concerning persons serving long sentences for offenses committed prior to reaching 21 years of age.
Bill Summary
HB 1317 is a dangerous rollback of sentencing laws that prioritizes leniency for violent offenders — such as murders and rapists — over justice for victims and public safety. By allowing individuals convicted of serious crimes under the age of 21 to petition for early release, the bill undermines the severity of their offenses and reduces accountability. The existing system already allows courts to consider mitigating factors of youth at sentencing, making this bill unnecessary. Reducing the minimum time served for crimes like first-degree murder ignores the lasting impact these violent acts have on victims’ families and communities. Victims and their families deserve certainty and closure, not a legal process that reopens their trauma and forces them to relive it every few years.
The bill also would force the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board (ISRB) to evaluate and possibly release offenders who were originally given lengthy sentences for a reason. Lowering the threshold for early release from 20 years to 15 years further weakens sentencing, sending the wrong message about consequences for violent crime. Washington’s justice system should focus on protecting communities and ensuring that violent criminals serve the time they were given. By opposing HB 1317, we stand against the Democrat’s “soft-on-crime” agenda.
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Safety
Concerning the governor’s authority to limit outside militia activities within the state.
Bill Summary
This is Gov. Ferguson’s “emergency” legislative act designed to prevent the arrest of illegal immigrants. The argument for a declared emergency measure is its “necessity” for “preserving public safety” and supporting state government. If state government was truly interested in preserving public safety they would have passed an emergency measure preventing illegal immigrants from entering our state. This Washington state legislative act restricts the entry of out-of-state militias into the state unless the governor provides written authorization or there’s a federal call to service. The governor retains the power to revoke such authorization at any time. The act mandates that a militia immediately cease operations and depart upon receiving notification of a denial or withdrawal of entry.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1323 proposes that individuals who intentionally block state highways without lawful authority, while acting in concert with three or more people, face gross misdemeanor charges. For those who organize or lead such activities, the bill introduces stricter consequences, elevating the offense to a Class C felony with mandatory penalties, including a minimum fine of $5,000 and at least 30 days in jail. Additionally, repeat offenders or those whose actions result in harm or delays to emergency services would face enhanced penalties, ensuring accountability for the significant risks imposed on public safety.
Last year, pro-Palestinian protesters successfully shut down highway traffic on two separate occasions. The first was in January, when protesters blocked all northbound lanes of I-5 in downtown Seattle for five hours. The second was in April, when protesters obstructed access to SeaTac Airport for three hours. While only six individuals were charged for the I-5 incident, 46 people faced charges following the SeaTac incident. However, charges against all 46 were dropped in August.
Rep. Andrew Barkis, R-Yelm says that’s unacceptable. “This legislation is about protecting commuters and communities alike, ensuring those who put the public at risk through reckless and illegal behavior face appropriate consequences for their actions,” said Barkis. “Last year, highway blockades disrupted lives, delayed emergency services, and created unnecessary risks on our roads. By passing this bill, lawmakers can send a clear message that Washington will not tolerate these stunts going forward. It is critical we prioritize the needs of law-abiding Washingtonians over criminals who have no respect for their fellow citizens.”
Bill Summary
Washington State House Bill 1334 modifies the way inflation is calculated and, as a result, allows for up to 3% annual increases on property taxes. As explained by the Washington Policy Center, the inflation calculation would change from the ‘implicit price deflator’ to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI typically results in a higher inflation percentage – which would increase the maximum ceiling to which a municipality could increase taxes. The result could potentially result in 3% raises in property tax for several years in a row. Additionally, the “limit factor” is adjusted to include population change and inflation, with a cap of 103 percent. A new definition for “population change” is introduced, detailing how it is calculated based on official population estimates.
Furthermore, the bill establishes new timelines for the Department of Revenue and county assessors to determine and communicate limit factors for property tax assessments. Specifically, the Department of Revenue is required to provide necessary limit factors by September 1 each year, while county assessors must notify taxing districts of their determinations by October 1. The bill also repeals the previous authorization for taxing districts to use a limit factor of 101 percent or less, streamlining the process for property tax revenue growth. The provisions of this act will apply
to taxes levied for collection in 2026 and beyond.
Currently, annual property tax increases are capped at 1%. For the past several years, Democrats have attempted to increase the cap limit from 1% to 3% and this year is no different. They just refuse to take ’no’ for an answer.
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Elections
Shifting general elections for local governments to even-numbered years to increase voter participation.
Bill Summary
Every November, Washington holds a statewide general election. In years that end in an even number, the election includes general elections for federal, state, and county officers, as well as state or local ballot measures such as initiatives, referenda, and constitutional amendments. In years that end in an odd number, general elections are held for city, town, and special purpose district officers and school board members. In addition, odd-year elections may include elections for: • filling the remainder of unexpired terms for state legislators, supreme court justices, superior court judges, and federal, state, and county officers; • county officers in a county governed by a charter that provides for odd-year elections; and • state ballot measures. State ballot measures must appear on the ballot at the next regular general election, and therefore they may appear in either even- or odd-numbered years. Special elections and recall elections also may occur in either even- or odd-numbered years.
While purporting to increase voter participation, HB 1339 would likely result in a decrease in voter participation. City and county councils and school board elections will end up at the bottom of lengthy ballots and voters will often choose just to vote for federal and county officers. Furthermore, these same local candidates will be forced to compete against federal and state officials for campaign contributions, advertising opportunities and civic presentations. Lastly, the overwhelming number of federal, state, county, city and school board candidates will potentially lead to even greater “political burnout” for voters.
Bill Summary
With Washingtonians facing an affordability crisis, Rep. Deb Manjarrez has introduced legislation, House Bill 1340 that would exempt prepared food from sales and use tax. Some examples of places that have prepared food include restaurants, cafes, caterers, coffee shops, drive-in restaurants, snack bars, bakeries, and some grocery stores.
“Washington is the fourth-most expensive state for residents compared to the national average. More than one-third of families in our state live paycheck to paycheck,” said Manjarrez, R-Wapato. “Washingtonians struggling with the affordability crisis in our state need help. This would provide much-needed relief to individuals and families who eat meals on the go. It would also help our state’s hospitality businesses.”
Washington ranks behind only California, Nevada, and Mississippi for the average weekly cost of grocery spending. Washington residents went to food banks 13.3 million times during the 2024 fiscal year, a 22% increase from 2023.
“Low-income earners have been hit hard by the spike in the cost of food in our state – both groceries and prepared food. This relief would help their budgets,” said Manjarrez. “The Legislature has had opportunities to provide meaningful tax relief over the last few years like other states have. Now is the time. This is the right thing to do.”
House Bill 1340 is the first bill Manjarrez has introduced as a legislator. It has been referred to the House Finance Committee.
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Education
Adjusting age requirements for accessing the early childhood education and assistance program.
Bill Summary
In an ideal world, parents would be able to provide the early childhood training required for children to be successful students when they reach school age. However, when both parents work full-time, or when a child is dealing with homelessness, that is not always the case. House Bill 1351 amends existing law regarding eligibility for the early childhood education and assistance program. The bill expands access by increasing income thresholds and including children who meet specific risk factors, such as homelessness or developmental delays. These changes aim to improve kindergarten readiness and school performance for at-risk children. Funding for the expanded program is addressed, with stipulations on enrollment limits based on available funds. The bill also clarifies that these additions do not impact existing state-funded entitlements.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1359 is a necessary step toward improving Washington’s approach to mental health within the criminal justice system. It creates a diverse, expert-led task force to review and recommend changes to laws concerning criminal insanity and competency to stand trial—areas that are both complex and critical to ensuring justice is fair, effective, and compassionate. These laws have not been comprehensively reviewed in decades, and the growing mental health crisis across the state makes such a review more urgent than ever. By bringing together voices from across the system—including public defenders, prosecutors, mental health experts, people with lived experience, and victims’ advocates—the task force will help identify inefficiencies, gaps in services, and outdated language.
The bill also directs the task force to find ways to improve treatment options, streamline hospital discharges, and expand diversion programs that keep people out of jail and connected to the care they need. These goals not only protect public safety but also promote human dignity and reduce the burden on overcrowded state hospitals and courts. HB 1359 further helps by recodifying outdated statutes into clearer, more accessible categories, improving coherence between legal and medical frameworks. This is not a bill that weakens accountability—it’s a bill that strengthens justice by making it smarter, more humane, and responsive to modern realities.
Bill Summary
Washington State House Bill 1363 modifies licensing requirements for child care and early learning providers in Washington state, making several key changes to existing regulations. The bill updates the Secretary of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families’ duties regarding licensing, including the development of separate requirements for different types of child care facilities. Notably, the bill introduces new standards for child care centers, specifying maximum group sizes and staff-to-child ratios: for preschoolers (30 months to 6 years), a maximum of 21 children with a ratio of at least 1 staff member to 11 children, and for school-age children (5-12 years), a maximum of 31 children with a ratio of at least 1 staff member to 16 children.
The bill also mandates that licensed indoor early learning spaces must provide a minimum of 34 square feet per child. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that providers are not required to obtain early childhood education certification as part of staff qualification requirements, and it removes the requirement for community-based training pathways. The bill continues to emphasize professional development supports for child care providers, including trainings, scholarships, and support for nonprofit organizations that assist providers in developing their businesses and improving care quality.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1371 is a bipartisan bill that modifies Washington state law regarding disability parking permits. Amendments clarify eligibility criteria, including adding veterans with a 70% disability rating and a service animal. The bill details requirements for applications, permit types (temporary and permanent), and renewal processes. It also addresses verification procedures and penalties for providing false information. Finally, the bill updates the definition of “veteran” for eligibility purposes.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1375 adjusts to the state’s estate tax exclusion amount for inflation. The bill reenacts and amends existing RCW statutes related to this tax and is intended to help protect more estate value from taxes. The bill increases the estate tax exclusion amount from $2,193,000 to $2,959,000 for decedents dying on or after August 1, 2025. The amount will be adjusted annually using the Consumer Price Index for the Seattle urban area, starting in 2026. This adjustment aims to ensure the exclusion amount keeps pace with economic changes.
Bill Summary
Washington House Bill 1380 aims to address the growing homelessness crisis by aiming to create ‘statewide guidelines’ for managing public property. The bill seeks to balance public safety concerns with the need for humane treatment of the homeless by establishing an “objective reasonableness” standard for local ordinances restricting activities like sitting, lying, sleeping outdoors, keeping dry or staying warm in public spaces.
It also protects local governments from litigation if their ordinances are deemed objectively reasonable, while allowing individuals to challenge the reasonableness of such laws in court. In other words, this standard will allow a homeless person to sue a municipality that restricts the use of public land for a homeless camp.
According to the Washington Policy Center, the legislation would redefine how a city or town may create rules and regulations for the use of public land with a vague, indefensible definition. The definition states that municipalities are encouraged to “enact objectively reasonable time, place and manner regulations to manage public spaces effectively and preserve public peace, health, and safety for the befit of the entire community.” This definition is so vague that any relation a municipality could place on the use of public land would open the doors to a lawsuit. Attorney fees will be awarded, in addition to the plaintiff relief, should a lawsuit succeed. The taxpayers of the municipality would be responsible for the cost of the lawsuit, which ultimately would result in higher property and sales taxes. Finally, the act is declared an emergency measure and takes effect immediately.
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Taxes
Providing tax exemptions for the first 20,000 gallons of wine sold by a winery in Washington.
Bill Summary
The proposed bill aims to provide a tax exemption for the first 20,000 gallons of wine sold by wineries in Washington state. It amends RCW 66.24.210 to introduce a new tax structure for wineries that sell less than 20,000 gallons of table wine or cider in a calendar year. Specifically, these wineries will be subject to a reduced tax rate of $0.0528 per liter for their sales, and they will not be liable for any other taxes under this section on the first 20,000 gallons sold, except for taxes imposed for the Washington wine commission. Additionally, the bill stipulates that taxes collected from this exemption will be deposited into the liquor revolving fund.
Furthermore, the bill includes a tax preference performance statement that outlines the legislature’s intent to support small wineries, which face unique challenges compared to larger operations. The performance statement emphasizes the goal of promoting the growth and stability of small wineries, particularly in light of recent economic hardships and environmental challenges. If a review finds that the tax preference successfully promotes small wineries, the legislature intends to consider extending the expiration date of this tax preference.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1385 aims to enhance child protection while ensuring due process for individuals undergoing background checks. This legislation amends existing law and introduces a new section focusing on the fingerprint background check process for individuals involved in the care of children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. Key definitions are updated, including the terms “applicant,” “covered individual,” and “qualified entity,” which now encompass a broader range of individuals, including volunteers and contractors who may have unsupervised access to vulnerable populations. The bill also clarifies the responsibilities of qualified entities and federally recognized tribes in conducting background checks, including notifying individuals of their rights regarding their criminal history records.
Additionally, the bill establishes the Washington State Patrol as the repository for criminal history records and outlines the procedures for conducting state and national fingerprint-based criminal history checks. It mandates that qualified entities and tribes must inform applicants of their rights to access and appeal their criminal history records and ensures that the information is used solely for screening purposes. The bill also includes provisions for fees associated with processing these checks and limits liability for qualified entities regarding the failure to obtain information.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1390 proposes the full repeal of the Community Protection Program (CPP), a specialized service within Washington’s Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) that provides 24/7 supervision and targeted interventions for individuals with developmental disabilities who pose a current risk to others due to violent or sexually predatory behavior. This program is designed to keep both the individual and the broader community safe, offering therapeutic support while enforcing safeguards like chaperones, housing restrictions, and supervision. By removing all statutory references to the CPP, HB 1390 effectively dismantles one of the state’s key protective mechanisms for managing high-risk individuals with developmental disabilities in community settings.
Repealing the CPP risks public safety and leaves a significant gap in services for a small but critical population. Without the program, individuals with histories of violence or sexually predatory behavior may return to less supervised environments with limited oversight, increasing the potential for re-offense. This isn’t just about removing a restrictive program—it’s about removing an evidence-based balance of support and accountability that protects potential victims while still offering services to those at risk of reoffending.
Repealing the CPP also eliminates an important option for courts, therapists, and social service professionals to manage high-risk individuals without resorting to incarceration or institutionalization. The program includes therapeutic interventions, community integration supports, and structured supervision tailored to reduce future harm. Ending it with no clear replacement is unwise.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1392 is another attempt for government to run health care and expand the welfare state. It introduces a flawed and risky funding structure that could hurt both patients and the broader health care system. The bill proposes creating a Medicaid Access Program Account funded by a “covered lives assessment” — essentially, a new tax on every person enrolled in private insurance and Medicaid managed care. For Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), this could be up to $18 per member per month, a steep cost that will likely be passed down to consumers in the form of higher premiums, increased deductibles, or reduced coverage.
Rep. Jim Walsh (R) stands against the bill and points out the proposal hurts private health insurance in order to cover a growing Medicaid program. By placing this financial burden on health carriers and MCOs, the bill risks destabilizing the insurance market, especially for small insurers and self-insured employers. These entities may be forced to adjust their coverage offerings, reduce provider networks, or even exit the market, reducing options for Washington residents. Meanwhile, the bill grants sweeping authority to the Health Care Authority (HCA) to determine future assessment rates, with no strict cap beyond the first year. This opens the door to unchecked cost increases year after year.
Moreover, SHB 1392 gambles on receiving federal approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which is uncertain and could delay implementation or force retroactive clawbacks if the plan is later found noncompliant. In such cases, providers may be required to return overpayments — creating financial chaos and potential legal battles in an already strained health system. Even worse, the state might be forced to repay the federal government, putting taxpayers on the hook.
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Taxes
Imposing local property tax levies wholly credited against the state property tax to provide support and services for veterans assistance and for persons with developmental disabilities or mental health needs.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1397l proposes amendments to existing law regarding local property tax levies. The legislation aims to enhance funding for veterans’ assistance and services for individuals with developmental disabilities or mental health needs by allowing counties to impose local property tax levies. Specifically, it amends existing laws to establish a tax rate of 2.5 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value for community services related to developmental disabilities and mental health, with the provision that this levy will be deducted from the state property tax amount owed by the county. Additionally, the bill modifies the tax rate for the veterans’ assistance fund to a minimum of 1.8 cents and a maximum of 27 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, also ensuring that this levy is deducted from the state tax obligations.
The bill includes several key insertions, such as the requirement for the levies to be deducted from state tax obligations at no cost to the counties, and it establishes specific uses for the funds collected, including veterans’ assistance programs and the lawful disposition of remains for indigent veterans. The legislation declares an emergency clause and is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.
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Safety
Modernizing, harmonizing, and clarifying laws concerning sheriffs, chiefs, marshals, and police matrons.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1399 seeks to modernize and clarify the laws governing law enforcement officials in Washington State, specifically targeting sheriffs, police chiefs, marshals, and police matrons. It establishes new eligibility requirements for the appointment of police chiefs and marshals, mandating that candidates be at least 25 years old, maintain peace officer certification, and undergo comprehensive background investigations. The legislation also reinforces the core responsibilities of sheriffs to enforce state laws and the Constitution, while addressing the roles of volunteers and specially commissioned officers, ensuring they are properly trained and identifiable, and limiting their authority to non-enforcement activities.
There are several concerns with this legislation. First, sheriffs are elected ‘by the people’ and are part of the Executive Branch of the government, and are bound to uphold the US constitution. County sheriffs have no supervisor except ‘we the people’. This bill requires sheriffs to pledge an oath to uphold only the Washington State constitution, not the United States constitution. This is obvious anti-President legislation.
Secondly, at this time only Peace and corrections officers must be “certified”. This bill requires that sheriffs must now be “certified”. This provides the county legislative authorities the power to decertify an elected sheriff and appoint a replacement.
Another concern with this bill lies in New Section; Section 15. Two specific RCW’s are repealed:
Authority to Establish (RCW 35.66.010)
There shall be annexed to the police force of each city in this state having a population of not less than ten thousand inhabitants one or more police matrons who, subject to the control of the chief of police or other proper officer, shall have the immediate care of all females under arrest and while detained in the city prison until they are finally discharged therefrom.
Persons Under Arrest – Separate quarters (RCW 35.66.050)
For the purpose of effecting the main object of this chapter, no member of one sex under arrest shall be confined in the same cell or apartment of the city jail or prison, with any member of the other sex whatever. These repealed RCW’s effectually desegregate prisons and will continue to allow men in women’s prisons.
For all of these reasons, this bill should be opposed. Please register CON.
Bill Summary
Bill 1403 is a bipartisan bill that seeks to improve homeownership opportunities in Washington State by revising the laws governing condominium construction. It introduces implied warranties for both existing and newly constructed condominium units, ensuring they meet quality standards. For units created before the bill’s effective date, the declarant and dealers must guarantee that the units and common elements are suitable for ordinary use and free from defects. For units created after the effective date, similar warranties apply, with added requirements for compliance with approved plans and building codes. The bill also clarifies the definition of “workmanlike manner” and establishes criteria for proving breaches of warranty.
In addition to warranty provisions, the bill modifies the dispute resolution process by mandating arbitration for certain claims related to condominiums created after the effective date, particularly for monetary judgments not exceeding $500,000. It allows condominium associations to incur expenses for preparing and serving notices of claim without restrictions from governing documents. The bill also permits courts or arbitrators to assess costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees against parties who refuse to accept offers to remedy defects. Furthermore, it specifies that certain provisions do not apply to accessory dwelling units organized as condominiums and outlines conditions for excluding or modifying implied warranties. A sunset provision is included, stating that specific sections will expire on January 1, 2028.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1407 includes several provisions aimed at curbing the explosion of graffiti in areas across the state. If passed, the bill would require individuals convicted of graffiti-related offenses or malicious mischief to complete at least 40 hours of community restitution. Repeat offenders would face stricter penalties, with a second or subsequent conviction for graffiti classified as a Class C felony.
To further deter organized graffiti crimes, an additional 12 months would be added to the standard prison sentence for offenders involved in large-scale or coordinated graffiti. For juveniles convicted of malicious mischief, the bill would mandate community restitution as a constructive alternative to traditional punishments, ensuring accountability and opportunities for rehabilitation. Additionally, the bill would allocate state funding from 2025-27 to assist law enforcement in investigating and prosecuting graffiti on Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) property, with detailed reporting required to track outcomes.
Rep. Andrew Barkis, R-Yelm, attempted to pass a community restitution bill last year, and while it was approved 97-0 in the House, it died in the Senate Law and Justice Committee. He says the goal of his bill is to strike a proper balance between accountability and rehabilitation. “Graffiti vandalism is a growing problem—along I-5 through Tacoma, in the streets of Seattle and Spokane, and in many other places across Washington. It is clear we need a stronger, more effective approach that disincentivizes further defacement of public and private property,” said Barkis. “I am confident law enforcement will continue exploring innovative ways to catch taggers, but once they do, we must ensure there is a system in place that holds offenders accountable for their actions. We cannot have a system that slaps offenders on the wrist, emboldening them to go out and commit the same crime.”
Bill Summary
House Bill 1409 will accelerate Washington’s clean fuels program, imposing stricter carbon reduction mandates, increased penalties, and costly compliance requirements that will drive up fuel prices and hurt consumers, businesses, and the transportation sector. This legislation will raise the carbon intensity reduction requirement to 20% by 2034, four years earlier than the previous law, further increasing costs for fuel producers and consumers. The bill will also remove existing legal protections and replace them with severe new penalties, including fines of up to $50,000 per violation, giving the Department of Ecology unchecked authority to punish fuel providers.
Ultimately, this proposed legislation will further raise gas prices. With Washington already paying some of the highest gas prices in the nation, this bill will make it even worse, disproportionately impacting rural communities, small businesses, and working families who rely on affordable transportation. Instead of pushing extreme fuel mandates that increase costs and limit economic growth, lawmakers should focus on practical, market-driven energy solutions that balance environmental goals with economic reality.
Bill Summary
HB 1414 establishes a work group to assess and recommend changes to outdated state laws that currently limit the training, certification, and employment of 16- and 17-year-olds in career and technical education (CTE) programs. Right now, barriers exist that prevent young people from getting the hands-on training they need to thrive in high-demand industries. HB 1414 ensures that state agencies take a hard look at restrictive regulations, including unnecessary limitations on working hours, certification requirements, and licensing procedures for students enrolled in career-focused programs. It gives young workers better access to industry mentors, meaningful workplace experiences, and high-quality training while still ensuring their safety and well-being. Ultimately, this bill is about preparing students for real jobs, strengthening our workforce, and fueling economic growth.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1422 modifies the existing drug take-back program in Washington by updating fee structures, enforcement regulations, and performance reporting requirements for program operators. Key changes include the requirement for program operators to submit detailed annual reports to the Department of Health, which must now include specific information about collection amounts, public education efforts, and financial expenditures. Additionally, the Department is granted the authority to evaluate these reports for compliance and request revisions if necessary. A new section mandates an expedited review by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee to assess the Department’s fee-setting authority and ensure transparency in expenditures.
Furthermore, the bill introduces a one-time fee of $70,000, which will be evenly distributed among approved program operators to fund the expedited review. It also establishes that the Department must set fees that do not exceed actual administrative costs and outlines penalties for noncompliance by manufacturers and program operators. The bill repeals several existing statutes related to the drug take-back program, effective January 1, 2030, to streamline the regulatory framework. Overall, these changes aim to enhance the effectiveness and accountability of the drug take-back program in Washington.
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Safety
Authorizing the use of automated vehicle noise enforcement cameras in vehicle-racing camera enforcement zones.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1423 authorizes the use of automated vehicle noise enforcement cameras in designated vehicle-racing camera enforcement zones. It establishes a pilot program overseen by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission allowing these cameras to detect noise violations exceeding permissible vehicle sound levels. The bill also clarifies the enforcement of noise standard violations through these cameras and includes provisions for the collection and use of audio data that is inaccessible to the public.
It allows for a 50% reduction in fines for vehicle owners receiving infractions who are public assistance recipients and clarifies that infractions from automated traffic safety cameras will not impact the registered owner’s driving record, with a maximum fine of $145. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.
Automated enforcement introduces a surveillance-based, automated traffic enforcement, which would now include audio surveillance and may criminalize behaviors without on-site officer calibration or discretion. Recording audio on public streets sets a concerning precedent and raises unique privacy concerns. This is more than a traffic camera – it’s a surveillance microphone on every block. Cameras will record audio from public streets — creating legal gray areas around the Fourth Amendment and Washington’s two-party consent law for audio recordings. Even with stated limitations (e.g., encryption, not capturing faces), the use of microphones in public spaces for enforcement is an escalation in government surveillance infrastructure. This is a slippery slope. Today it’s noise – tomorrow it could be accelerometers, emissions or even driver behavior profiling.
Another concern includes the inability to contest the measurement or accuracy of the system. There is no requirement for an independent audit of how well the noise enforcement technology works. In addition, the bill limits public access to camera data making it impossible for defendants to challenge the evidence used against them. Even trained officers struggle to accurately measure vehicle noise. We believe the concerns outweigh the benefits and ask you to register your opposition to this bill.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1426 proposes amendments to existing law and creates new sections regarding civil protection orders, specifically focusing on impaired driving. The bill defines various terms related to abuse, neglect, and harassment, establishing criteria for different types of protection orders. It outlines procedures for petitioning, issuing, renewing, modifying, and enforcing these orders, including provisions for ex parte orders and full hearings. Furthermore, it details specific relief the court can grant, such as restrictions on firearm possession and alcohol consumption, and sets penalties for violations. Finally, the bill mandates training for law enforcement on impaired driving protection orders.
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Health Care
Improving access to appropriate mental health and substance use disorder services.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1432 bill seeks to improve access to mental health and substance use disorder services in Washington by updating the state’s mental health parity law. It requires health carriers to make medical necessity determinations based on objective patient needs and align these with accepted standards of care. The bill introduces new definitions and standards for mental health services, mandates coverage for these services, and prohibits different treatment limitations for mental health compared to medical services. It also establishes that utilization review processes must adhere to these standards and prevents health carriers from denying coverage based on assumptions about public entitlement programs. Key amendments include prohibiting utilization management for initial evaluations and a set number of treatment visits, ensuring clinical review criteria are evidence-based, and imposing penalties for non-compliance.
Additionally, the bill enhances grievance and appeal processes for mental health services, requiring health carriers to approve coverage if they do not respond to grievances within specified timeframes. It mandates that carriers assist enrollees in the appeal process and ensures accessibility for individuals with language or literacy barriers. The legislation also eliminates prior authorization requirements for certain behavioral health services starting January 1, 2027, and establishes new standards for prior authorization processes, including specific timelines for decisions. The bill empowers the insurance commissioner to adopt necessary rules for implementation, including data testing for compliance with treatment limitations, and sets a timeline for implementation with certain existing laws being repealed on the same date.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1434 proposes amending Washington state law to officially recognize Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays. Under the current draft of the legislation, the bill would list both the existing and proposed state holidays, explain how each holiday is observed, and clarify procedures for observing holidays that fall on weekends. It also details paid and unpaid leave for state employees, allowing additional leave for religious reasons, and recognizes various commemorative days without granting them official holiday status.
Other states, including New York and Michigan, have sponsored similar legislation. In recent years, some school districts on the East Coast have expanded school calendars to include Muslim and Hindu holidays. For example, New York added Diwali (the Hindu “Festival of Lights”) as a school holiday last year. It is worth noting that Muslims comprise less than 1% of both Washington State’s population and the U.S. population, yet there is ongoing discussion about officially recognizing certain Muslim holidays at both state and local levels.
As a Christian organization existing within what we consider a Christian nation, we cannot support the proposed legislation for several reasons. First, Easter—arguably the most prominent Christian observance—does not have federal or state holiday status. Christmas, historically celebrated as the birth of Jesus Christ, is increasingly referred to as a “winter holiday” by schools and federal organizations to avoid offending non-Christians. In similar fashion, we believe designating Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays would offend Christians and other religious groups in Washington State.
While House Bill 1434 aims to acknowledge and accommodate the diversity of religious observances, our organization maintains that creating additional state holidays for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha is unnecessary. If this bill were to pass, how many other religious groups will press to have their unique celebrations recognized as state holidays?
Bill Summary
House Bill 1435 proposes a Washington state law creating a grant program to aid local and tribal law enforcement agencies in hiring new officers. This bipartisan legislation allocates $100 million to the Criminal Justice Training Commission to fund up to 75% of entry-level officer salaries and benefits for up to 36 months, requiring a 25% local match. The program aims to increase community policing and public safety, with strict reporting requirements on application numbers, funding amounts, and hiring outcomes. The bill outlines specific grant application processes and criteria, including reporting requirements for grant recipients. Finally, the commission must annually report to the legislature on the program’s progress and effectiveness. Governor Ferguson has stated that funding law enforcement is a high priority.
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Safety
Incentivizing cities and counties to increase employment of commissioned law enforcement officers.
Bill Summary
Violent crime in Washington State has reached 25-year highs and the state ranks last in the nation for law enforcement officers per capita. House Bill 1436 aims to incentivize cities and counties in Washington to increase the number of commissioned law enforcement officers by creating a new sales and use tax mechanism. This legislation allows counties and cities to impose a 0.10 percent sales and use tax specifically dedicated to hiring additional commissioned law enforcement officers.
The tax is in addition to existing taxes and will be collected by the state Department of Revenue at no cost to local jurisdictions. Importantly, if a local jurisdiction already has more law enforcement officers per 1,000 residents than the national average, they can use the generated funds for broader criminal justice purposes, which can include activities like domestic violence services and programs aimed at reducing interactions with the criminal justice system. The bill also includes provisions to expand basic law enforcement training, requiring the commission to provide at least 27 training classes in fiscal year 2026 and 28 classes in fiscal year 2027, with the legislature expected to appropriate sufficient funding to support these efforts.
Bill Summary
Under current law, local governments must adhere to specific deadlines for processing housing permits. If these deadlines are missed, a portion of the permit fee is refunded to the applicant. However, no mechanism exists to ensure applicants receive their permits in a timely manner. In a bid to tackle Washington’s severe housing shortage, Rep. April Connors, R-Kennewick, has introduced legislation to expedite housing permit approvals and streamline the development process.
House Bill 1438 directly addresses this problem by requiring automatic approval of housing projects and the issuance of building permits on the next business day after a missed deadline, provided certain conditions are met. These conditions include the project being located within an urban growth area, containing at least one residential dwelling unit, and having plans prepared, stamped, and signed by a licensed professional engineer or architect. Automatic approval would not apply if the local government identifies serious public health or safety concerns that prevent the project from moving forward.
Permit delays in Washington average 6.5 months, according to the Building Industry Association of Washington, adding an average of $31,375 to the cost of a home. With home prices having already surged 129% over the past decade, the third-largest increase in the nation, Connors says the Legislature must act to alleviate the growing burden on homebuyers.
“Washington’s housing crisis demands bold action. Every day, more families are being priced out of the market, with nearly three-quarters of Washington households unable to afford a median-priced home,” said Connors. “House Bill 1438 is a practical solution to cut through red tape, reduce permitting delays, and deliver the housing units our state desperately needs. This bill is an important part of our effort as House Republicans to fix Washington and ensure every resident has access to affordable housing.”
Bill Summary
HB 1448 introduces ranked choice voting (RCV) into local elections, replacing the current, straightforward “top-two” primary system with a more complex and unnecessary voting method. Instead of simply selecting their preferred candidate, voters would be required to rank multiple candidates in order of preference. This system complicates the election process and introduces unnecessary confusion, making it harder for voters to navigate their ballots effectively.
RCV has been shown to increase ballot errors and lead to voter disenfranchisement. Many voters may not fully understand the ranking process, resulting in a higher rate of discarded ballots. This issue disproportionately affects older voters and those with limited English proficiency, who are more likely to make mistakes under this system. Moreover, exhausted ballots—those where a voter does not rank all candidates—can lead to a scenario where the winner is elected with less than 50% of the vote, undermining the fundamental democratic principle of majority rule.
Even some Democrats are speaking out against the bill. Brian Hatfield, legislative director for Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, a Democrat, said that the committee needs to “take into consideration the additional expense, the logistical problems and the confusion that would result in moving from our current system which relies on simple addition to a system that relies on an algorithm.” He called ranked choice voting a “regressive move” and furthermore pointed out that “adopting a more complicated way to vote is highly likely to disenfranchise people who can’t easily adjust to changing rules.”
Beyond voter confusion, the financial and administrative burden of implementing RCV falls heavily on local governments. Counties will be forced to upgrade voting machines and train election staff to process the new, complex system. The costs associated with these changes will divert resources from essential public services, creating unnecessary financial strain. Despite this burden, the bill establishes a so-called “work group” to oversee implementation, but this group is likely to be dominated by organizations that already advocate for RCV, ensuring a biased process with little consideration for the concerns of everyday voters.
The failure of RCV in Pierce County, WA, highlights the risks of this system. After only two election cycles, it was repealed due to widespread voter dissatisfaction and increased election costs. Yet HB 1448 would allow jurisdictions to adopt multi-winner RCV elections, eliminating primary elections altogether in some cases. This change could make it even harder for voters to assess candidates early in the process, ultimately leading to less-informed choices in the general election.
Another major flaw of RCV is that it requires multiple rounds of vote counting, meaning election results could take days or even weeks to finalize. This delay weakens public confidence in the integrity and efficiency of the process. Additionally, jurisdictions that adopt RCV must reduce the number of primary candidates to five, an arbitrary rule that adds further confusion. The system also increases the potential for strategic voting and manipulation, as voters may feel pressured to rank candidates tactically rather than voting for their genuine preference.
Ultimately, local governments should not be forced to experiment with a complicated, untested election system when the current method works efficiently and ensures clear winners. HB 1448 is unnecessary, expensive, and confusing, making it a risky experiment that Washington voters should reject. By opposing this bill, voters can preserve a transparent, fair, and effective election process that serves all citizens without unnecessary obstacles.
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Safety
Requiring electronic monitoring of sexually violent predators granted conditional release.
Bill Summary
Rep. Dan Griffey, R-Allyn has filed legislation to reform Washington state’s sexually violent predator (SVP) system. The goal is to balance protecting Washington residents from SVPs with the Constitutional rights of SVPs, who the courts have ruled cannot be held indefinitely under civil commitment at McNeil Island and must be given a path to unconditional release. “These proposals are the starting point to fixing this system,” said Griffey. “While not every stakeholder we have met with agrees on how to fix Washington’s SVP system, they all agree that it is broken.”
Washington State House Bill 1457 modifies existing law concerning the conditional release of sexually violent predators. The bill mandates technologically advanced ankle monitors that are virtually tamper-proof and provide real-time GPS data for those conditionally released to less restrictive environments. It also establishes guidelines for placement, prioritizing fair distribution across counties while considering victim safety and the availability of resources. The legislation includes provisions for individualized treatment plans, regular reporting, and annual court reviews to ensure community safety and the individual’s compliance. Finally, it outlines the roles and responsibilities of various agencies involved in the release and monitoring process.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1458 will impose strict new regulations on building projects, driving up costs and adding layers of government oversight. This bill mandates a 30% reduction in embodied carbon emissions for large construction projects, requiring developers to comply with costly and complex reporting, material restrictions, and bureaucratic oversight. Furthermore, the bill forces builders to meet strict carbon reduction targets through material reuse, alternative building materials, or complex carbon assessments, significantly raising project costs.
This legislation will create a state-run database where developers must report extensive project details, and state agencies will conduct random audits on 3% of projects annually adding uncertainty and red tape. By burdening developers with expensive compliance requirements, HB 1458 will slow new construction, making housing and commercial spaces even more unaffordable in Washington. Instead of imposing rigid mandates, lawmakers should focus on incentives and market-driven solutions to encourage sustainable construction without punishing businesses and homeowners.
Bill Summary
A protection order is a type of restraining order that a petitioner can file against another person who is allegedly committing harm. It is a civil court order, issued by a judge. There are several different types of civil protection orders available in Washington, in cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, vulnerable adult, and extreme risk cases. The Hope Card Program, enacted in 2023 and implemented January 1, 2025 offers the namesake cards that contain concise information regarding a protection order. Previously, those under a protection order had to carry bulky documents anywhere from 12 to 16 pages long.
HB 1460 makes several adjustments to the program, including changing the source of Hope Cards from the clerk of the issuing court to the Administrative Office of the Courts Hope Card Program. The administrative office of the courts will develop a program to issue these cards in collaboration with various judicial and law enforcement associations. The hope cards may now be in a scannable electronic format (like a barcode or QR code) and will contain the entire restraining order and case history; however, the physical card itself will only identify the name(s) and dates of birth of the restrained subject(s) and the protected persons. While previously the cards were mandatory, the bill changes the language to make them optional. Finally, there would be no fees charged for issuance of the cards. “We’re just not going to charge for them,” said Rep. Dan Griffey, R-Allyn. “The people that are asking for these are the people that I think society should give the most mercy and grace to.”
The bill includes a funding contingency that will nullify the act if specific funding is not provided by June 30, 2025, in the omnibus appropriations act. Expanding this program to the individual courts would be more costly. “We have issued 831 cards since January 1st,” Griffey told the committee. Please register “Pro” on this bill and, if possible, provide written testimony asking the Appropriations Committee to fund this legislation.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1462 aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by promoting the transition to environmentally sustainable alternatives and enhancing the use of reclaimed HFCs. It establishes a regulatory framework that includes phased limitations on high global warming potential substances, with specific prohibitions on the sale and distribution of newly produced bulk HFCs exceeding certain global warming potential thresholds starting in 2030 and 2033. The Department of Ecology is tasked with implementing these regulations, which may include adopting lower limits or earlier deadlines if sufficient reclaimed refrigerant is available.
Additionally, the bill also outlines the creation of a refrigerant transition task force to study barriers and opportunities for transitioning to climate-friendly refrigerants and to provide recommendations by 2027. It emphasizes the importance of stakeholder collaboration and education to ensure compliance with the new regulations. The bill includes provisions for temporary exemptions under certain conditions and establishes penalties for violations.
This legislation risks creating an artificial shortage of critical refrigerants before viable, affordable alternatives are available at scale. While the intent to reduce emissions is commendable, the phased prohibitions and timeline may place undue financial and operational burdens on businesses—especially those operating large refrigeration systems like agricultural producers and cold storage facilities. With retrofitting costs reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars per system and uncertainty around reclaimed refrigerant supply, the bill could lead to increased costs for consumers and disruptions in essential services without clear, immediate environmental gains. Please oppose this bill.
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Environment
Making expenditures from the budget stabilization account for declared catastrophic events.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1473 addresses an emergency wildfire situation in Washington State by appropriating $77,687,000 from the budget stabilization account (also known as the “rainy day fund”) to the Department of Natural Resources for fire suppression costs during the 2024 fire season. Specifically, the bill notes that on August 2, 2024, the governor declared a state of emergency in all counties due to threats to life and property from existing and threatened wildfires.
The appropriation is for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and is designed to help the state quickly respond to the wildfire emergency. The bill includes an emergency clause, which means it will take effect immediately upon passage, recognizing the urgent nature of the funding needed to address the wildfire threats. Importantly, the bill specifies that this appropriation does not change the state’s requirement to balance its budget in future budget cycles, ensuring fiscal accountability while providing necessary emergency funding. The bill received unanimous bipartisan support in the House.
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Taxes
Allowing all counties to impose a real estate excise tax for the purpose of developing affordable housing, subject to the will of the voters.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1480 a real estate tax hike bill, would allow counties to impose an additional 0.5% real estate excise tax (REET) on property sales to fund government-run affordable housing programs. This tax would be split between buyers and sellers, making homeownership and real estate transactions more expensive across the state and piling on yet another tax at a time when housing affordability is already a crisis, adding to the cost of buying or selling a home.
While the tax requires voter approval before a county can impose it, the burden will fall disproportionately on homeowners and buyers—many of whom may not be able to afford these added costs. The funds collected would be placed in a county-controlled housing account, distributed through government grants and loans with no clear measures of success or taxpayer accountability. Instead of adding new taxes on home sales, Washington should focus on reducing regulations and expanding private-sector housing solutions to increase affordability without burdening homeowners.
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Safety
Concerning exceptional sentences for offenses which result in the pregnancy of a victim of rape.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1484 takes a firm stand against sexual assault by ensuring that judges have the power to impose harsher sentences on rapists who cause pregnancy, regardless of the victim’s age. Right now, the law only considers this an aggravating factor when the victim is a minor, but that leaves adult survivors without the same level of justice. HB 1484 closes this loophole and strengthens protections for all victims.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1491 aims to enhance community and transit-oriented housing development in Washington. It emphasizes creating vibrant urban environments that prioritize affordable housing and improve public health through better transportation options. Key amendments include specific income thresholds set for rental and owner-occupied housing. The bill also mandates that cities allow multifamily residential housing in station areas. Additionally, the legislation establishes a grant program to assist cities in developing infrastructure for transit-oriented development (TOD) and outlines regulations that prevent cities from requiring off-street parking for residential or mixed-use developments in station areas. It introduces categorical exemptions for certain project actions within designated urban growth areas, provided they meet specific criteria, and mandates that cities require applicants to record covenants ensuring affordable units remain available for a minimum of 99 years.
This bill restricts local control by mandating zoning changes rather than allowing cities and counties to tailor housing policies to their unique needs and imposes state-directed density requirements in station areas, limiting municipalities’ ability to address infrastructure, public services, and neighborhood character. The legislation requires higher-density housing development without guaranteeing corresponding funding for roads, schools, emergency services, and utilities which will lead to traffic congestion, overburdened transit systems, and increased demand for public safety services. While it requires cities to implement higher density zoning, it does not provide sufficient state funding for infrastructure upgrades. Property tax exemptions in TOD areas will reduce local revenue, impacting essential services such as police, fire, and schools. Encouraging TOD can also lead to increased property values and rent hikes, potentially displacing lower-income residents in transit-rich areas.
Eliminating off-street parking minimums in TOD areas may disproportionately affect residents who rely on personal vehicles, particularly those with disabilities, families with children, and workers who require a car for employment. Insufficient parking could negatively impact small businesses in TOD areas, increasing congestion and reducing accessibility for customers. Furthermore, urban, suburban, and rural areas have different housing needs and transit availability, but the bill applies the same requirements without considering regional differences. Some areas may lack sufficient transit services to justify TOD mandates, leading to poorly planned developments that do not meet local demand. Lastly, the requirement for state approval of local zoning modifications adds another layer of bureaucracy while the periodic compliance reports and ongoing affordability monitoring will increase administrative burdens on local governments.
Bill Summary
HB 1497 imposes rigid container coloring and labeling requirements statewide by 2028—rules that could cost cities millions just to comply. For example, the City of Kirkland estimates a $4 million price tag simply to replace bins that are still functional. This isn’t just expensive—it’s wasteful and ironically counter to sustainability goals. The bill also mandates non-elective organic waste collection for virtually all customers starting in 2030, regardless of need or practicality. This one-size-fits-all requirement ignores regional differences in infrastructure, climate, and existing practices. Even businesses that manage their own organic waste effectively could face bureaucratic headaches and steep fines—up to $1,000 per day—if they fall out of compliance.
Labeling rules and rigid bin color standards may sound minor, but they pose a logistical nightmare for cities and waste haulers operating across multiple jurisdictions. Instead of promoting flexibility or innovation, the bill locks communities into a state-mandated model that may not work for their residents. Moreover, this bill continues to expand the authority and scope of the Department of Ecology. It funds additional programs and grants while containing a vague “null and void” clause dependent on future appropriations—raising questions about whether this legislation is even financially viable. This bill is not smart environmental policy—it’s harsh government overreach, and a costly and hard “Green Fist” into local communities.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1498 establishes a domestic violence co-responder account within the state treasury. The funds in this account are designated for use in a newly created domestic violence co-responder grant program, which will be administered by the office of crime victims advocacy. This program aims to provide matching grants to cities and counties for the establishment and operation of domestic violence co-responder programs, which involve domestic violence victim advocates responding alongside law enforcement to provide support and resources to victims.
Additionally, the bill will include a new $100 fee for marriage licenses, which will be directed to the domestic violence co-responder account. This fee is part of a broader structure of fees collected by county auditors for various services, with the intention of supporting domestic violence response initiatives. The bill also removes previous legislative intent regarding the appropriation of funds generated by marriage license fees for the displaced homemaker act, thereby reallocating those resources to the new co-responder program.
This legislation enhances public safety and victim support by embedding trained advocates alongside law enforcement during domestic violence incidents. This model promotes trauma-informed, immediate care for survivors while facilitating connections to critical resources such as housing, legal aid, and counseling. By funding the program through targeted marriage license fee surcharges, the bill establishes a sustainable, dedicated revenue stream without broadly increasing taxes. The inclusion of technical assistance and insurance billing support ensures program efficiency and scalability, making SHB 1498 a practical, compassionate approach to reducing domestic violence harm and recidivism across Washington communities.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1503 seeks to improve digital equity and broadband access in Washington state by amending existing laws and introducing new provisions. It highlights the significance of internet access for modern participation and addresses the challenges faced by residents in obtaining affordable broadband. The legislation promotes collaboration between the Department of Commerce and the Office of Equity to enhance broadband access and digital skills, particularly for underserved populations.
Furthermore, the bill establishes a statewide broadband office responsible for coordinating broadband infrastructure improvements and developing a statewide plan that includes minimum service standards. It mandates the Washington state Office of Equity to submit a comprehensive digital equity plan by December 1, 2027, which will include measurable objectives and collaboration with stakeholders. The bill also creates the Washington digital equity forum to recommend strategies for enhancing digital connectivity, emphasizing public-private partnerships and representation from underserved communities.
This legislation risks undermining the effectiveness and efficiency of Washington’s broadband expansion efforts by shifting critical responsibilities from the Washington State Broadband Office to the Office of Equity—an agency with less technical expertise and infrastructure planning capacity. While digital equity is a worthy goal, placing oversight and outreach in an office not originally designed to manage broadband strategy may lead to duplication of efforts, blurred accountability, and delays in implementation. This bureaucratic reshuffling could hinder progress toward meeting the state’s ambitious broadband access targets, especially for rural and underserved communities that urgently need infrastructure, not more administrative coordination.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1509 represents a step toward supporting families and youth in crisis through early intervention and community-based care. This bill strengthens and expands Family Reconciliation Services (FRS), a voluntary, trauma-informed program designed to help families experiencing conflict stabilize and heal. By requiring the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to contract with local organizations in at least three regions by 2026—and statewide by 2030—it ensures that more families across Washington can access these critical resources. FRS offers services such as mental health referrals, suicide prevention support, parent training, and conflict resolution, all aimed at reducing long-term harm and avoiding more disruptive state interventions.
Importantly, the bill broadens eligibility for FRS to include youth in juvenile detention who are experiencing family conflict and those identified through housing crisis programs, two especially vulnerable populations often overlooked. This holistic approach acknowledges the deep connection between family stability, youth incarceration, and homelessness, and seeks to address root causes early. Furthermore, HB 1509 increases transparency and accountability by requiring more detailed annual reports on service requests and referrals.
Rather than relying solely on the justice or child welfare systems, this bill empowers local organizations that are culturally competent and rooted in their communities to step in and help. It prioritizes prevention, reduces state costs in the long run, and—most importantly—helps to keep families together.
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Health Care
Supporting caregivers who provide complex care services to children with heightened medical needs.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1521 aims to support caregivers and establishes new requirements for payment to those who provide complex care services to children under 18 with heightened medical needs. The bill seeks to improve access to care and reduce the financial burden on families. Starting September 1, 2026, the bill mandates that the health authority must either require or provide payment to home health agencies for complex care services as part of the private duty nursing benefit. The caregivers eligible for this payment must be parents, guardians, family members, or close associates of the child, have completed at least 75 hours of training from an accredited home care agency, and be employed by a licensed home health agency. The services must be delegated by a registered nurse.
Additionally, the bill also stipulates that the authority will recognize specific accrediting organizations for training standards and allows caregivers to change employers without repeating training. The proposed legislation outlines that the home health agency must cover all training costs for caregivers and cannot require reimbursement. The definition of “complex care services” is also provided, detailing the types of care that may be included under this designation. When assessing eligibility for complex care services, only the child’s income will be considered, excluding the income of other household members. The authority is tasked with seeking necessary federal approvals to implement the program and must submit a report by September 1, 2029, evaluating the program’s effectiveness.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1522 aims to enhance the safety and reliability of electric power transmission and distribution in Washington State by establishing a framework for electric utilities to develop and implement wildfire mitigation plans. It mandates that each electrical company file a wildfire mitigation plan with the commission shortly after the bill’s effective date, unless they have already submitted one. Companies are required to update their plans at least every three years and share these updates with relevant state departments and advisory committees. The commission is tasked with reviewing these plans, holding public workshops, and ensuring that the plans balance mitigation costs with the need to reduce wildfire risks.
Additionally, the bill amends existing regulations regarding the fees that public service companies must pay to the commission, adjusting the fee structure for large combination utilities. It introduces new provisions that clarify the commission’s liability concerning the implementation of wildfire mitigation plans and repeals an existing section related to wildfire plan review and revision. The bill also includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the act is found invalid, the remaining provisions will still be enforceable.
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Taxes
Providing a sales and use tax exemption for a motor vehicle sold to a tribe or tribal member.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1525 amends existing law to provide a sales and use tax exemption for motor vehicles sold to tribes or tribal members in Washington State. The key change is that the exemption is no longer contingent upon the vehicle being delivered in Indian country; instead, it applies simply if the sale is made to a tribe or tribal member, regardless of their residence. To qualify for the exemption, tribal members must present documentation proving their tax-exempt status, such as a tribal membership card or a certificate of enrollment. The seller is required to retain copies of this documentation for a specified period.
The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and includes a performance statement aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the tax preferences, with a goal of increasing vehicle sales to tribal members by at least 20% by 2034. If this target is met, the legislature intends to consider extending the expiration date of the tax preference, which is currently set for January 1, 2037.
This is simply another ‘virtue signaling bill’. What other groups of people in Washington State does this bill apply to? Please oppose this legislation.
Bill Summary
Democrats in Washington State just can’t seem to learn that citizens of Washington State don’t want to be told how to care for themselves. Furthermore, after the farce of face masking and the vaccine boondoggle that came with CoVid, Washingtonians don’t trust the ‘science’ of our public health officials at the state or federal level.
House Bill 1531 mandates that public health responses to communicable diseases must be guided by science-based evidence, prioritizing proven measures like immunizations. The bill explicitly prohibits any conflicting laws or policies and declares existing ones null and void. It emphasizes the state’s commitment to using the best available science to control disease spread and declares an immediate effective date for reasons of public health.
Consider what legislators warn us against:
• Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, and the Chairman of the WAGOP, exposes this bill: “This is an insult to science. This is an insult to truth. This is a bureaucratic power grab pretending to be some defense of evidence-based science. This is the weaponization of science, and it’s really disgusting.” Walsh also supports what he calls “peaceful non-compliance.”
• Sen. Ron Muzzall, R-Oak Harbor points out: “I think the last four or five years are evidence that we cannot be sure what the best available science is.”
• Sen. Leonard Christian, R-Spokane Valley, also spoke against the bill: “It is making it so any dissent from the official policy is quashed. I believe this is a bad bill and a black eye on the First Amendment. I want to hear everything, all of the science available and I believe this hides people’s right to be able to speak.”
Unless you want the state to direct your medical care and dictate what vaccines you must take, in addition to what immunizations your children must have, please oppose this scary legislation.
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Health Care
Enhancing the regulation of tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, and vapor products.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1534 is a Washington state legislative bill amending and enhancing existing laws regarding the regulation of tobacco products, alternative nicotine products and vapor products. The bill aims to improve public health by ensuring more rigorous oversight of nicotine-containing products, particularly focusing on preventing sales to minors and regulating the manufacturing and distribution of these products. It establishes a comprehensive certification and directory system for vapor products containing nicotine, requiring manufacturers to submit annual certifications to the state liquor and cannabis board detailing their products and providing documentation of FDA approval or pending applications.
The bill increases penalties for selling these products to minors, Starting January 1, 2026, only vapor products included in a publicly available directory will be legally sellable in the state. The bill introduces significant penalties for non-compliance, including civil fines ranging from $500 to $10,000 per violation and potential license suspensions or revocations for retailers and manufacturers. Additionally, the legislation expands reporting and record-keeping requirements for distributors, and creates a new vapor product nicotine directory account to fund enforcement efforts.
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Health Care
Ensuring patient choice and access to care by prohibiting unfair and deceptive dental insurance practices.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1535 aims to reform Washington State’s dental insurance system by increasing patient protections and transparency. The bill seeks to improve access to care, reduce out-of-pocket costs, and prevent insurers from prioritizing profits over patient needs. Key provisions include mandating minimum medical loss ratios, allowing patients to choose their dentists, and ensuring fair reimbursement rates for providers. The bill also addresses regulatory requirements for insurers, including reporting and rate review processes. Ultimately, the legislation seeks to create a more equitable and fair dental insurance market in Washington.
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Education
Providing capital financial assistance to small school districts with demonstrated funding challenges.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1538 establishes a new grant program in Washington State to provide capital financial assistance to small school districts – with 1,000 students or fewer – that are financially distressed and have aging school facilities. The program aims to help these districts modernize or replace school buildings that are at least 30 years old and in poor condition. Eligible projects must address critical physical deficiencies such as seismic vulnerabilities, failing building systems, infrastructure problems, accessibility barriers, and deteriorated conditions. To apply, school districts must submit detailed information about their facility conditions, including a seismic assessment and building inventory.
The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction will propose a prioritized list of grants every two years, with points awarded based on the district’s remaining debt capacity, facility condition, and enrollment size. School districts must contribute a share of project costs, typically at least 50% of their remaining debt capacity, but this can be reduced if it would cause property tax rates to exceed $1.75 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
The bill also allows districts to use federal funding, grants, or private donations to meet their cost share. The program is designed to help small, financially constrained districts improve their school facilities and potentially enhance student health, safety, and academic performance. The new grant program will take effect on January 1, 2028.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1539 establishes a work group tasked with studying and recommending wildfire mitigation and resiliency standards in Washington State. The work group will be co-chaired by the insurance commissioner and the commissioner of public lands, and will include representatives from the property and casualty insurance industry, local emergency management, the Washington fire chiefs association, and legislative members from both the House and Senate. The group is responsible for developing recommendations that align state wildfire property mitigation standards with nationally recognized, science-based standards, enhancing community-level wildfire mitigation, improving data sharing between state agencies and the insurance industry, increasing consumer transparency regarding wildfire risks, and establishing a grant program to assist homeowners in retrofitting properties to resist wildfire damage.
The work group is required to submit a report of its recommendations to the legislature and relevant agencies by December 1, 2025, and will receive staff support from the office of the insurance commissioner. The section of the bill creating the work group will expire on December 31, 2025.
Bill Summary
As a bipartisan bill, House Bill 1541 updates the structure of the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee (VAAC), ensuring it better reflects the needs of Washington’s veteran population. The bill modernizes committee membership by allowing the Governor to appoint two representatives from veterans homes, strengthening the voices of those living in these facilities. It also directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to nominate members from underrepresented but critical groups—such as tribal veterans, National Guard members, and veterans with lived experience facing housing insecurity, PTSD, or substance use challenges.
This shift recognizes that today’s veterans are not a monolithic group and that effective policymaking must account for the unique experiences of those who served in different capacities and who may be facing complex challenges. Including veterans with firsthand experience of issues like homelessness or recovery will bring invaluable insights to the committee’s work and help shape more compassionate, effective support systems.
Importantly, the bill still preserves representation from the largest and most active veterans service organizations while broadening the table to include more voices. HB 1541 also maintains regional balance and continues to prioritize minority and women veterans in the selection process. This is a bipartisan, inclusive measure that passed the House unanimously—a reflection of its thoughtful approach to honoring and supporting those who served.
Bill Summary
Bill Summary
This bill was introduced last Session and returns again. This bill aims to establish a comprehensive statewide network for student mental and behavioral health in Washington. The primary issue is parents in Washington do not have access to their student’s mental health or medical records in schools. The legislation intends to enhance coordination among the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), local education agencies, and other relevant state agencies to create a more integrated approach to mental health support in schools. What does this mean? They can link students to legal services and alternative medical interventions without a parent’s knowledge.
Public schools across Washington are failing miserably in regards to core subjects. Let’s force schools to return their focus to teaching rather than addressing our children’s mental health. Washington now has 69 school-based health centers. It is not a surprise that we are facing a mental health crisis in our schools (depression, suicide, transgenderism). Do we really want to expand mental health services in our schools? Please oppose this terrible bill.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1550, Washington State’s Electric Vehicle Battery Management Act, is modeled after the New Jersey EV batter bill and establishes a producer responsibility program for ensuring safe recycling ore repurposing of electric vehicle batteries. The bill mandates producers to create and implement battery management plans for collection, recycling, and disposal. These plans must detail environmentally sound practices and include consumer education initiatives. The act also outlines registration requirements for producers, fee structures to fund the program, and penalties for non-compliance. Finally, it amends existing law to incorporate the new regulations and clarifies definitions related to battery types and recycling processes.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1553 extends Washington state’s dairy inspection program from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2031. The bill maintains the current assessment mechanism where milk processors pay a small fee to fund dairy inspections, with an exemption for processing plants whose monthly assessment is less than $20. The small assessment funds will continue to be collected by the director, deposited into the dairy inspection account within the agricultural local fund, and used exclusively for dairy industry inspection services. The assessment is capped and processors with low monthly assessments are exempt. If a milk processing plant fails to pay the assessment, the unpaid amount can become a lien on the plant’s property and will be collected similar to delinquent taxes. The bill also includes an emergency clause, indicating its immediate importance for public health and safety, with the new provisions taking effect on June 30, 2025.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1563 establishes a prescribed fire claims fund pilot program in Washington to address the increasing risks of wildfires and promote the use of prescribed and cultural burning as effective forest management tools. The program aims to provide financial coverage for losses incurred during these controlled burns, which are essential for improving forest health and reducing hazardous fuel accumulation. The legislation recognizes the historical significance of fire management practices by tribal peoples and emphasizes the need for a five-fold increase in prescribed burning to mitigate wildfire risks.
To implement this program, a new section is added to the RCW’s detailing eligibility criteria for claims, which must arise from burns conducted by certified managers or cultural practitioners under approved plans. The office of risk management will oversee the program, determining claim eligibility and reimbursement amounts, which are capped at $2,000,000 per claim. Additionally, the bill amends the administration of the prescribed fire claims fund pilot program as an allowable expenditure from the risk management administration account. The program is set to expire on June 30, 2033, and the act takes effect immediately to ensure prompt action in addressing the forest health crisis.
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Taxes
Supporting employers providing child care assistance to employees by establishing a business and occupation and public utility tax credit.
Bill Summary
Washington state ranks as the seventh least affordable for infant care and median child care costs surpassing $20,000 annually—more than tuition at many universities. Nearly 40% of parents have reported quitting their jobs or being fired due to child care challenges, costing families $2.9 billion annually in lost income. This legislation aims to ease these challenges by encouraging a solution that makes child care more affordable and accessible for working families while supporting businesses and strengthening the economy.
House Bill 1564 establishes a 100% tax credit for businesses that provide child care assistance to employees, covering expenses such as direct contributions to child care costs and in-house child care facilities. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, the program allows businesses to reduce their business and occupation or public utilities taxes by the amount they spend on providing child care for employees. They can apply the remaining amount to the following year if they don’t use the full tax benefit in one year. Administered by the Department of Revenue, the program is set to run through Jan. 1, 2037, with a potential extension based on its success in increasing employer-provided child care support.
Josh Penner, R-Orting, the bill’s primary sponsor, states: “This legislation is a significant step forward in tackling the affordability and accessibility challenges that working families face daily. Employers who invest in child care solutions for their workers deserve our support, and this bill provides a clear pathway for businesses to be part of the solution.” He continues, “This bill is a meaningful step toward creating a more family-friendly state where parents can thrive at work, children have access to safe and supportive care, and communities are stronger. I’m proud to make this my first legislative priority and look forward to the bipartisan work to see it through.”
Bill Summary
House Bill 1572 modernizes outdated accreditation rules by eliminating the requirement that an institution, branch, extension, or facility of an out-of-state institution wishing to operate in Washington must be separately accredited. Currently, certain nonprofit universities—like Northeastern University’s Seattle campus, which serves over 1,200 students annually—are caught in a bureaucratic “catch-22” that prevents them from operating efficiently in Washington due to the current accreditation hurdles.
Here are some of the key criteria for an eligible school to be exempt from the bureaucratic hurdles: “(a) have continuously offered degree programs in Washington for 10 years or more; (b) have been continuously authorized to offer degree programs in its home state for 20 years or more; (c) have been continuously accredited as a degree-granting institution for 10 years or more by; and (d) an accrediting association recognized by the WSAC and the secretary of the US Department of Education, and maintain such accreditation status.”
Additionally, this bill gives the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) greater authority to recognize high-quality accrediting agencies, instead of relying solely on the federal Department of Education, which has weakened oversight in recent years. This means Washington will set its own high standards, ensuring that institutions providing degrees in our state meet stringent academic, research, and financial stability requirements. HB 1572 removes duplicative, unnecessary barriers while keeping strong protections against low-quality institutions.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1574 expands legal protections for individuals using or possessing controlled substances—even when violating court orders or parole—and it creates broad loopholes that can be exploited by repeat offenders. The bill shields individuals from arrest and prosecution in a wide range of scenarios, including when they violate restraining or no-contact orders, simply because they seek or require medical help during an overdose. While the intention may be compassionate, this could unintentionally protect abusers or individuals involved in serious criminal conduct under the guise of seeking help.
Additionally, the bill permits the distribution of drug paraphernalia—including syringes and smoking equipment—at health care facilities and more public spaces, further normalizing drug use rather than promoting recovery or prevention. Perhaps most concerning is the elimination of local authority to regulate harm reduction services. By removing the ability of cities and counties to create their own rules around drug paraphernalia distribution, the state imposes a one-size-fits-all approach and strips communities of their right to respond to local public health and safety needs.
Instead of enabling long-term recovery or accountability, HB 1574 risks entrenching substance abuse in neighborhoods already struggling with addiction and overdose crises. While compassionate responses to addiction are vital, this bill goes too far in prioritizing permissiveness over responsible governance. For the sake of balanced policy and community safety, HB 1574 should be opposed.
Bill Summary
Washington State House Bill 1582 addresses occupancy load calculations in child care centers operating within multi-use buildings, particularly churches. Currently, child care center occupancy load calculations consider the entire building’s use, even if the center only occupies a portion. The bill proposes that occupancy load calculations only consider the space used for child care services, not the entire building. This change would affect building code compliance, particularly regarding fire safety and egress requirements. The bill also notes the role of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) and the Washington State Patrol Director of Fire Protection in licensing and inspection processes. This bill would ultimately lead to the availability of more child care space. There is a significant need for more child care centers in Washington at this time.
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Elections
Ending vote by mail for nonabsentee voters and restoring in-person voting at polling places and voting centers.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1584 aims to end vote by mail for nonabsentee voters and restore in-person voting at polling places and voting centers in Washington state. The bill fundamentally changes the state’s voting system by limiting absentee ballot eligibility to specific groups such as voters over 65, those with disabilities, military personnel, students living outside the county, incarcerated individuals with voting rights, and those working during polling hours. County auditors will be required to approve absentee ballot requests only for these specific categories.
The legislation emphasizes ballot security and seeks to restore trust in the electoral process by requiring most voters to vote in person at designated polling places. The bill introduces detailed provisions for polling place operations, including requirements for election officers, voter identification, ballot handling, and accessibility for disabled voters. Political party observers will be allowed to monitor the voting process, and new procedures are established for ballot counting and storage. The bill also mandates that most voters must provide valid photo identification before voting and vote at designated polling places, with only a limited group of voters eligible to request absentee ballots. The overall intent is to create a more controlled, in-person voting environment that the bill’s authors believe will reduce potential fraud and increase election integrity.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1596 aims to improve road safety in Washington State by addressing speeding. The bill proposes a new “intelligent speed restricted driver’s license” for drivers with multiple speeding violations or reckless driving convictions. This license requires drivers to use an intelligent speed assistance device in their vehicles. The bill also defines “excessive speeding,” outlines the eligibility criteria for the restricted license, and establishes penalties for tampering with the device. Finally, it allocates funds for program administration and sets effective and expiration dates.
This bill has received support from the National Transportation Safety Board, the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, and the King County Prosecutor’s Office.
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Safety
Expanding the locations where a person can be guilty of unlawful transit conduct to include the Washington state ferries.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1616 closes a gap in public transportation safety by expanding the definition of unlawful transit conduct to include Washington State Ferries. Currently, disruptive and unlawful behavior—such as smoking, littering, vandalism, public intoxication, and disorderly conduct—is enforced on buses, trains, and transit stations, but not on state ferries. This bill corrects that oversight by granting Washington State Ferries the same legal authority to enforce rules that apply to other transit systems. It ensures that ferry passengers can travel safely without facing harassment, vandalism, or other disruptive behavior. Ferry workers and law enforcement will now have clear legal grounds to address misconduct that threatens public safety and disrupts operations.
Passengers deserve a secure and respectful travel experience, whether they are commuting, visiting family, or exploring the Puget Sound region. The bill strengthens accountability, making violations punishable by a misdemeanor charge, which could result in fines or jail time, just like in other public transit spaces. With millions of passengers relying on ferries each year, this legislation provides an essential safeguard to maintain order and protect public property. It also supports ferry workers, who often deal with unruly individuals but currently lack the legal tools to enforce proper conduct. By deterring illegal activity, HB 1616 helps prevent costly damage to ferry property, reducing unnecessary taxpayer expenses. No one should feel unsafe while using public transportation, and Washington State Ferries should not be an exception. This bill ensures equal enforcement across all public transit systems, making safety a top priority for all riders. Other transit systems already have similar laws in place, proving this is a common-sense, effective measure.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1622 is a way to keep the state government bloated, inefficient, and requiring more and more taxpayer money. It also limits the choices of managers. The bill essentially requires public employers to engage in collective bargaining with unions whenever the adoption or modification of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies affects employee wages or performance evaluations. While the bill aims to ensure fair treatment of public employees in the age of AI, it represents an overreach into managerial decision-making and introduces burdensome obstacles to technological innovation. Public employers are already required to negotiate the impact of management decisions; but HB 1622 goes too far by requiring bargaining over the decisions themselves.
Its core requirement—that public employers must negotiate before implementing or modifying AI tools—could significantly delay vital technology upgrades. AI is evolving rapidly, and public institutions need the flexibility to respond just as quickly. Mandating preemptive bargaining slows this process, hindering government efficiency, service delivery, and fiscal responsibility to taxpayers. Additionally, the bill blurs the lines between impact bargaining, which is already required by law when changes affect mandatory subjects like wages, and control over decision-making itself. This shift would allow unions to challenge not just how AI is used, but whether it’s used at all—granting undue influence over fundamental management decisions. In high-stakes areas like public safety and infrastructure management, such delays could have real-world consequences. Please register CON.
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Taxes
Prohibiting deductions for credit card transaction processing fees from employee tips.
Bill Summary
Bill 1623 sets minimum wage regulations under the age of 18 and the requirement that employers who allow credit card tips may not deduct any portion of an employee’s tips or gratuities to pay for credit card processing fees, thereby protecting employee earnings. The bill also clarifies that tips and service charges are in addition to the minimum wage and cannot be counted towards it. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance wage protections for employees and ensure they receive the full benefit of customer gratuities.
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Safety
Concerning restrictions on the placement of inmates of different biological sexes in correctional facilities.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1629, sponsored by Michelle Caldier, R-Gig Harbor, specifically reads, “An inmate being housed in a correctional facility shall not be assigned to share a room or cell with any other person of a different biological sex than that of the inmate if the inmate has a history of sexual or physical violence against a victim whose biological sex is the same as the other person assigned to the room or cell. For purposes of this section, “a history of sexual or physical violence” means one or more current charges or prior convictions for a sex offense, violent offense, or an offense that constitutes domestic violence as those terms are defined.
It is unbelievable that males are even allowed to be placed in a female prison. FPIW fought against that wicked law several years ago. Given the Democrats majority in the House and Senate, Rep. Caldier did not feel that a bill restricting the assignment of a delusional male to the room or cell of a female would ‘pass’. Only by restricting a delusional male with a history of sexual or physical violence against a woman does this bill have a chance to make it out of committee. This is an indication of just how much KoolAid the Democrats have drank.
Bill Summary
Washington House Bill 1648 aims to delay child care provider certification requirements due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the industry. The bill proposes a community-based training pathway as an alternative to traditional college coursework, offering flexibility and accessibility. It also introduces a work equivalency option, recognizing the experience of existing providers. The deadline for meeting certification requirements is extended, providing more time for providers to complete training or demonstrate competency through work experience. Ultimately, the bill addresses current workforce shortages and improves access to affordable, quality child care.
Bill Summary
HB 1651 formalizes new teacher residency and apprenticeship models, requiring long hours of mentored classroom work and extensive partnerships between school districts and preparation programs. This places a significant logistical and financial burden on school districts already stretched thin. The teacher residency model outlined in this bill mandates 900 hours of preservice clinical practice—double the requirement of traditional student teaching. This expanded commitment may deter potential candidates, especially those already working as paraeducators or juggling other responsibilities. Similarly, the teacher apprenticeship model requires a staggering 2,000 hours of on-the-job training, which could prolong the certification process and create a bureaucratic maze of approvals through both the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) and the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council (WSATC).
Finally, the bill eliminates language explicitly prohibiting public funds from being used for campaign, advocacy, or union activities and replaces it with a vague reference to state campaign law. This shift could open the door to misuse of taxpayer money under the guise of program operations. Given that many of these programs are run in partnership with labor organizations, the lack of firm boundaries is concerning.
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Environment
Authorizing electrical companies to securitize certain wildfire-related costs to lower costs to customers.
Bill Summary
Washington House Bill 1656, a bipartisan piece of legislation, modifies existing law to allow electrical, gas, and water companies to use securitization to finance costs from emergencies and conservation measures. The bill establishes a process for the Utilities and Transportation Commission to approve these financing orders, ensuring ratepayer protection and defining the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved. It clarifies how these rate recovery bonds will be structured and repaid, protecting the financial interests of investors while limiting the state’s financial liability. The act also addresses the treatment of existing bonds under the previous law and aims to lower overall customer costs. Finally, the bill declares an emergency clause making it effective immediately.
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Health Care
Providing sufficient funding for the Washington state long-term care ombuds program.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1664 addresses funding for Washington state’s long-term care ombuds program, which provides advocacy and protection for residents in licensed long-term care facilities. The bill first acknowledges that residents have specific rights under state law, are classified as vulnerable adults, and are entitled to ombuds services that help investigate and resolve complaints affecting their health, safety, and welfare.
The LTC Ombuds Program advocates for residents of nursing homes, adult family homes, and assisted living facilities. Its purpose is to protect and promote the resident rights guaranteed to residents under federal and state law and regulations. Program staff and certified volunteers are trained to receive complaints and resolve problems in situations involving quality of care, use of restraints, transfer and discharge, abuse, and other aspects of resident dignity and rights. The are on the front line of being advocates for residents.
The program needs additional funding to respond to the increase in the number of people who rely on long term care facilities. Recognizing that a 2020 report found insufficient funding to meet recommended staffing levels, the bill requires the long-term care ombuds program to develop annual funding recommendations by September 1, 2025. These recommendations must ensure adequate resources to maintain a ratio of one full-time ombuds for every 2,000 residents, as suggested by the Institute of Medicine. The funding recommendations must also account for projected growth in long-term care facilities, inflation factors from the consumer price index, and administrative needs. The department of commerce must then submit these recommendations to the office of financial management and legislative fiscal committees for budget consideration, with the ultimate goal of ensuring robust support for protecting the rights and well-being of long-term care facility residents.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1668 addresses various aspects of community custody and supervision of offenders in Washington state, with several key provisions focusing on improving oversight, accountability, and technology in tracking and managing individuals under community supervision. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Corrections to exercise discretion when recommending escape charges for individuals who fail to maintain contact, establishes a new process for community corrections officers to coordinate with local law enforcement in locating and apprehending individuals who have absconded, and mandates enhanced electronic monitoring capabilities that include real-time tracking, tamper-alert technology, and victim notification systems.
The bill also requires behavioral health providers to update community corrections officers on a supervised individual’s treatment compliance, develops a system to track scheduled polygraph tests, and makes technical changes to how prior criminal convictions are scored in sentencing calculations. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for more nuanced handling of community custody violations, allowing for graduated sanctions and giving departments more flexibility in responding to different levels of infractions while maintaining public safety as a priority.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1670 aims to increase transparency around sewage spills in Washington State by requiring the Department of Ecology to create a public-facing website and notification system for reporting sewage spills. By July 1, 2026, the department must develop a website that provides detailed information about sewage spills, including the volume of discharge, treatment level, date and time of the incident, location, potential impact area, and steps taken to contain the spill. The website must be designed to be accessible to people with limited English proficiency.
By July 1, 2027, the department must also implement a public notification system that allows people to receive alerts about sewage spills within four hours during regular business hours. Additionally, the department is required to publish an annual report by March 15th each year detailing sewage spills from the previous calendar year, including information about impacted waters, duration, volume, and any departmental actions. The bill defines key terms such as “combined sewer” and “sewage spill” and is intended to help people who rely on clean water for jobs, recreation, or cultural traditions to stay informed about potential water quality issues.
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Education
Reassigning and authorizing surrendered, revoked, or nonrenewed charter school contracts.
Bill Summary
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Life
Concerning access at public postsecondary educational institutions to medication abortion.
Bill Summary
This Senate Bill mandates that public higher education institutions provide access to abortion medications for students by the 2026-27 academic year. The bill cites significant barriers for students seeking abortion services, including distance to facilities and increased wait times. It proposes solutions, including on-campus access through student health centers or referrals to off-campus providers, along with telehealth support.
Not surprisingly, the legislation does not take into account the dangers of utilizing abortion medications without physician supervision but instead emphasizes the purported safety and efficacy of the abortion medications. Unbelievably, the bill also notes the medications importance in regards to academic success. In other words, kill the baby so you can achieve better grades.
Abstaining from sex outside marriage would be a much better approach. By making it easier to obtain an abortion by simply going to the campus abortion clinic (sans ’Student Health Center’) it promotes even more promiscuous sexual behaviors. Please oppose this awful legislation.
Bill Summary
HB 1696 is a reparations bill. It creates a taxpayer-funded giveaway of up to $150,000 for people to buy a home. It is a misguided expansion of the Covenant Homeownership Program that raises serious concerns about fairness, fiscal responsibility, and the long-term impact on housing markets. By increasing eligibility to those earning up to 140% of the area median income (AMI), the bill shifts assistance away from truly low-income families who need it most. The program was originally designed to help those historically excluded from homeownership, but this expansion broadens it beyond its intended scope, reducing its effectiveness.
Additionally, allowing full loan forgiveness after just five years could encourage misuse or exploitation of the program. Instead of addressing the root causes of housing affordability, such as zoning restrictions and supply shortages, HB 1696 relies on subsidies that fail to create lasting solutions. Furthermore, expanding eligibility and offering quick “loan forgiveness” could drive up home prices, making housing even less affordable for those outside the program. Finally, it places a major financial burden on taxpayers without clear measures to ensure long-term benefits for communities. Previous injustices are not “repaired” by creating present injustices against those who are innocent. Please stand against HB 1696.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1702 authorizes counties in Washington State to impose a public utility tax on the gross income of utilities providing services within their jurisdiction. The tax rate cannot exceed three percent, and utilities must add this tax to their service charges, clearly stating it on customer billings as a separate line item. Counties can only implement this tax at the beginning of a calendar quarter and must provide at least 75 days’ notice after adopting the relevant ordinance. Additionally, counties have the discretion to exempt certain business customers from this tax, but cannot offer a general exemption for residential customers unless similar exemptions are provided for business customers. Furthermore, counties must allow a credit against the tax for any similar utility tax imposed by cities or towns.
The bill also establishes definitions for various types of utilities, including cable service, electrical power, gas, sewer, solid waste, telephone, and water utilities, ensuring clarity in the application of the tax. The provisions of this bill will be codified as a new chapter in Title 36 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW).
This tax is being imposed because the State of Washington clearly does not tax its citizens enough already. Read our lips … NO NEW TAXES! Please oppose this legislation.
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Environment
Establishing a review process before the state noxious weed control board may list certain agricultural crops as noxious weeds.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1707 establishes a review process that mandates the State Noxious Weed Control Board hold public hearings before listing any agricultural crops as noxious weeds. It emphasizes the importance of communication between agricultural producers and regulators, particularly in light of current economic strains on the agricultural sector. The legislature recognizes the current challenges facing agricultural producers and wants to ensure that before any agricultural crop can be designated as a noxious weed, the Board must first convene a work group convened by the Department of Agriculture and composed of agricultural producers and at least one Board member. This work group will develop recommendations, and the board must then hold a public hearing to discuss these recommendations before taking any action.
The bill aims to create a more collaborative and transparent process that considers both potential invasive qualities and economic benefits of agricultural crops. Specifically, the bill requires the Board to develop guidelines that prohibit listing an agricultural crop as a noxious weed without first going through this new review process, which includes scientific data collection, input from affected producers, and a public hearing. This approach is intended to protect agricultural interests and ensure that any decisions about noxious weed classifications are made with careful consideration and stakeholder input.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1708 aims to assist local governments in Washington State by providing a structured way to present information regarding homelessness in their communities. The proposed legislation mandates the Department of Commerce to contract for a computer application that allows cities and counties to create a dashboard displaying various metrics related to their efforts in addressing homelessness. This dashboard will include data such as the estimated need for housing units, expenditures on housing assistance, the number of households receiving aid, and statistics on homelessness-related medical treatment and criminal activity in areas with unsheltered populations.
Additionally, the bill outlines specific information that must be included in the dashboard, such as the number of homeless encampments near schools, the total amount spent on clean-up efforts, and the transition rates from homelessness to permanent housing. The Municipal Research and Services Center is tasked with compiling this data annually for all jurisdictions and making it accessible on its website. This initiative is designed to enhance transparency and provide local governments with the tools necessary to effectively communicate their homelessness-related activities and challenges to the public.
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Health Care
Addressing the care of students with adrenal insufficiency by parent-designated adults.
Bill Summary
HB 1709 is a needed step toward protecting students with adrenal insufficiency by allowing trained parent-designated adults (PDAs) to provide life-saving care in schools. Just as students with diabetes and seizure disorders already benefit from similar policies, this bill ensures that children facing adrenal crises—potentially life-threatening emergencies—have immediate access to treatment from trusted, trained caregivers. HB 1709 advocates for student safety, giving families peace of mind, and ensuring schools are prepared for medical emergencies.
Bill Summary
HB 1710 creates unnecessary government overreach, forcing local governments to obtain state approval before making common election changes. This bill introduces an excessive layer of bureaucracy, requiring local election officials to go through a burdensome preclearance process that slows decision-making and increases administrative costs. Rather than empowering communities to govern themselves, it places critical election decisions in the hands of the state, undermining local control.
One of the most concerning aspects of the bill is the excessive power it grants to the Attorney General. This official would have the authority to approve or deny election system changes without clear oversight or accountability. This bill effectively reinstates a failed policy—the preclearance system that was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in Shelby County v. Holder (2013) for being outdated and unconstitutional. By reviving this approach, HB 1710 disregards the Court’s ruling and imposes unnecessary restrictions on local jurisdictions.
The bill also encourages legal battles, as it allows activist organizations to challenge election changes, leading to expensive and time-consuming litigation. Small communities and rural districts, particularly those with at least 6,000 residents of a so-called “protected class,” will be disproportionately impacted. These areas will face increased scrutiny and unnecessary state oversight, further complicating local governance. Worse, the Attorney General is given unchecked authority to determine what constitutes a “covered jurisdiction,” creating the potential for politically motivated targeting of specific regions.
Routine election adjustments, such as moving polling places, redrawing district lines, or even relocating ballot drop boxes, would now require state approval. This additional hurdle slows down necessary improvements and hinders the ability of election officials to respond efficiently to their communities’ needs. The bill assumes that voter disparities are caused solely by discrimination, disregarding the reality that voter participation is often a matter of individual choice rather than systemic barriers.
HB 1710 does little to address actual voter suppression but instead introduces expensive, redundant regulations that offer no meaningful improvements to election security or accessibility. It imposes arbitrary population and voting percentage thresholds, unfairly labeling certain jurisdictions as needing state oversight based on statistical disparities rather than evidence of misconduct. These unnecessary regulations will increase the financial burden on taxpayers, as local governments will be forced to allocate funds for legal compliance, consultant fees, and court challenges.
Moreover, the bill opens the door for politically motivated interference, granting state officials broad power to influence how local elections are conducted based on subjective criteria. This sets a dangerous precedent, allowing future election laws to further erode local autonomy and diminish voter confidence in fair and impartial elections. At its core, HB 1710 is unnecessary, costly, and politically driven. Please vote CON.
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Energy
Allowing the use of electricity generated by qualified biomass facilities in the Pacific Northwest to meet renewable resource requirements.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1712 amends Washington state law to enhance the integration of biomass energy into the renewable resource requirements for qualifying utilities under the Energy Independence Act. It updates key definitions, particularly “qualified biomass energy,” which must now be sourced from facilities in the Pacific Northwest that began operations before March 31, 1999. The bill also stipulates that utilities can only count biomass energy towards compliance if they own or are directly interconnected to the facility. Additionally, if a facility involved in industrial pulping or wood manufacturing ceases operations, the associated renewable energy credits become unusable for the utility.
Moreover, the bill establishes new compliance timelines, mandating that by January 1, 2030, utilities must meet 100% of their average annual retail electric load through renewable resources and nonemitting electric generation. It clarifies that voluntary renewable energy purchases do not count towards annual targets and sets the same requirements for utilities qualifying after December 31, 2006, as those established earlier. The council is also tasked with determining minimum labor hours for apprenticeship programs to qualify for additional credits related to eligible renewable resources.
Bill Summary
HB 1715 is a fiscally responsible bill that ensures taxpayer money is spent wisely as the state implements its Clean Buildings Performance Standard. This bill directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) to conduct a thorough, data-driven review of the actual costs state agencies incur when complying with these energy efficiency standards. It focuses on understanding expenditures on capital upgrades and energy management, as well as the jobs created and the energy savings achieved—important metrics that will help Washington make informed, future-oriented policy decisions.
By analyzing a representative sample of buildings across state agencies—from schools to correctional facilities—on both sides of the state, JLARC will offer a clear, unbiased picture of what’s working and where more support or adjustments may be needed. This kind of transparency is crucial to keeping the state accountable while still advancing its environmental goals. Importantly, the review will also look into funding sources, including federal and local opportunities, to help offset compliance costs and reduce the financial burden on state budgets. This bill strengthens clean building standards by ensuring they are implemented efficiently and fairly. With a final report due in 2027, lawmakers and agencies will be well-equipped to refine their strategies based on real data, not guesswork.
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Health Care
Reviewing state restrictions affecting students participating in secondary career and technical education programs and other state-approved career pathways.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1722 is designed to open doors for motivated young people interested in public service and healthcare careers. This bill empowers 16- and 17-year-old students to participate in emergency medical technician (EMT) and fire service training programs earlier than currently allowed. By requiring the Department of Health to create a process for 16-year-olds to begin EMT training through approved vocational education programs, the bill gives students a valuable head start in life-saving professions. It also directs the State Fire Marshal’s Office to review outdated age restrictions that prevent young adults from exploring careers in fire protection services, with the goal of increasing both professional and volunteer opportunities statewide.
Importantly, the bill allows certified and properly trained minors to safely work in occupations that involve exposure to blood-borne pathogens, helping address workforce shortages in healthcare while maintaining safety standards. These changes ensure that only students who have received proper training and hold specific certifications will be eligible for such opportunities. By removing arbitrary age barriers, HB 1722 supports career exploration, bolsters essential public services, and helps students build real-world skills while still in high school. With unanimous bipartisan support in the House, the bill has proven to be both practical and popular.
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Health Care
Improving access and practices relating to portable orders for life-sustaining treatment.
Bill Summary
Washington House Bill 1724 aims to enhance access to and practices surrounding portable orders for life-sustaining treatment (POLST) in Washington State. It mandates the Department of Health to adopt guidelines for emergency medical personnel regarding the treatment of individuals who have executed such orders. The bill introduces a standardized form for these orders, which must include an option for individuals to opt out of having their forms submitted to a statewide registry. Additionally, it allows for verbal confirmation of the orders under specific conditions and requires annual reviews of the orders by healthcare providers to ensure they align with the patient’s current health status.
Furthermore, the bill establishes a statewide registry to store these portable orders, ensuring patient confidentiality and accessibility and secure access and legal protections for healthcare providers. It outlines procedures for submitting, revoking, and managing these orders while maintaining patient confidentiality. The registry is exempt from public records inspection, and the Department of Health is authorized to accept donations to support its creation and maintenance. The bill also includes provisions for researching alternative evidence of executed orders, such as medical jewelry or electronic forms, with a report due to the legislature by June 30, 2026.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1728 amends an RCW to allow for the inclusion of a nonfamilial heir in the estate tax deduction for property used in farming. Specifically, it introduces the term “qualified nonfamilial heir,” defined as an employee of a farm who has materially participated in its operations and has acquired property from the decedent. This change expands the eligibility for estate tax deductions to include not only family members but also qualified nonfamilial heirs, thereby broadening the scope of individuals who can benefit from these deductions.
Additionally, the bill makes several technical amendments, such as updating references to subsections and clarifying definitions related to property qualifications and uses. It specifies that the new provisions will apply to decedents dying on or after August 1, 2025, and states that certain existing laws (RCW 82.32.805 and 82.32.808) do not apply to this act. The overall intent of the bill is to support the transfer of agricultural property by providing tax relief to a wider range of heirs, thereby promoting the continuity of farming operations.
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Freedom
Ensuring access to state benefits and opportunities for veterans, uniformed service members, and military spouses.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1738 seeks to improve access to state benefits and employment opportunities for veterans, uniformed service members, and military spouses in Washington State. The legislation highlights the sacrifices of these individuals and ensures they receive equitable benefits when pursuing public service jobs. Key amendments include the inclusion of “uniformed services” in various contexts, the extension of licensing provisions to military spouses, and the establishment of hiring preferences for veterans in public employment. The bill also clarifies definitions related to military service and expands eligibility for service credit in retirement systems for those who have served honorably.
Additionally, the legislation enhances employment preferences for veterans and military spouses in both public and private sectors by broadening the definition of “uniformed services” to include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration commissioned officer corps. It removes previous limitations on preferences based on specific wars or military campaigns, thereby expanding eligibility. The bill ensures that individuals returning from active military duty are treated as being on furlough, preserving their seniority and benefits, and emphasizes that these preferences comply with state and local equal employment opportunity laws. Overall, the bill aims to create a more supportive environment for veterans and military families in the workforce.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1745 aims to enhance election integrity in Washington state by establishing a mandatory audit process for county election results. It introduces a new section to chapter 29A.60 RCW, which outlines the selection of an impartial auditing company by the county’s Democratic and Republican party chairpersons. If they cannot agree, a coin toss will determine the company. The audit will involve a manual hand count of ballots from at least 12 specified precincts, with specific procedures for selecting precincts and races to be audited. Public election observers will be allowed to oversee the entire audit process, ensuring transparency.
Additionally, the bill mandates that the auditing company submit a report to the legislature by December 31st of the election year, detailing the audit findings and recommendations for improving ballot integrity. The bill emphasizes the urgency of these measures by declaring an emergency, allowing it to take effect immediately.
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Safety
Expanding protections for applicants and employees under the Washington fair chance act.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1747 may seem like a well-intentioned effort to expand employment opportunities for individuals with criminal histories, but in practice, it places excessive burdens on employers and removes essential safeguards for workplace integrity and safety. The bill would severely limit when and how an employer can consider criminal records—even after making a conditional job offer—by requiring businesses to justify and document any decision to deny employment based on past convictions. Employers must hold jobs open, allow time for responses, and create written explanations that could expose them to legal challenges, all of which increase operational costs and risk.
Worse, the bill prohibits employers from taking any adverse employment action based on juvenile convictions or even arrest records, regardless of the seriousness or frequency of the offense. This could leave employers unable to make informed decisions, even in sensitive industries where safety and trust are paramount. The bill also eliminates the current tiered enforcement model and imposes significantly higher financial penalties per violation, which could be devastating for small businesses. These penalties can be awarded per applicant, meaning multiple minor infractions could result in massive fines.
Additionally, HB 1747 curtails local autonomy and expands state control through the Attorney General’s Office, which can now aggressively pursue legal action and damages on behalf of applicants. While reintegration is important, this bill goes too far in restricting employers’ discretion and opens the door to costly litigation. For the sake of workplace safety, business flexibility, and common sense, HB 1747 should be opposed.
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Elections
Creating guidelines for voter suppression and vote dilution claims under the Washington voting rights act.
Bill Summary
HB 1750 redefines “voter suppression” and “vote dilution” in an overly broad way, making local governments vulnerable to frivolous lawsuits. The bill fails to acknowledge that voter participation is often influenced by individual choice rather than systemic barriers, meaning even minor differences in turnout among demographic groups could be weaponized in court. Furthermore, it explicitly prohibits certain common-sense defenses, such as election integrity measures designed to prevent fraud, unless those measures are backed by “substantial evidence,” another ill-defined and subjective requirement.
The bill introduces unnecessary regulations that could severely disrupt local election processes. This legislation expands government overreach by prohibiting political subdivisions from implementing or enforcing election policies that result in what it defines as a “material disparate burden” on protected classes, a vague and subjective standard that opens the door for endless litigation. The bill does not require proof of intent to discriminate, meaning jurisdictions could face lawsuits simply based on statistical disparities, even if no discriminatory intent exists.
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Taxes
Establishing a sales and use tax exemption for required course materials at public institutions of higher education.
Bill Summary
Washington House Bill 1751 proposes a sales and use tax exemption for required college course materials purchased by students at public institutions of higher education. The bill aims to reduce financial burdens on students by eliminating sales tax on textbooks and other instructional materials. The proposed exemption would apply to materials purchased from affiliated bookstores or designated vendors, requiring student identification and proof of enrollment. To qualify for the exemption, students must present a valid student ID, prove enrollment in a specific course, and purchase materials from an affiliated bookstore, designated online vendor, or retailer that can verify enrollment and course requirements.
The bill mandates that colleges inform students about the exemption. Institutions of higher education are required to publish information about the tax exemption on their websites and include details in course syllabi. The bill defines “required course materials” broadly, covering physical and digital textbooks, supplementary materials, and other instructional content required or recommended for academic courses.
Finally, the bill cites the high cost of textbooks, which significantly burdens students, noting that many students forgo purchasing materials or necessities to afford them.The legislature’s rationale includes addressing the significant cost of educational materials, noting that textbook prices have increased 1,041 percent between 1977 and 2015, and that 65 percent of college students have reported not buying a required textbook due to cost. By providing this tax exemption, the bill seeks to make educational resources more affordable and accessible for students.
Bill Summary
Finally, a bill all Washingtonians can support! House Bill 1759 is a ‘fun’ bill that proposes amending Washington state law to officially recognize December 12th as “Day of the 12s,” a celebration of the Seattle Seahawks’ dedicated fans. The bill’s supporting section highlights the Seahawks fans’ legendary enthusiasm, their impact on the team’s success, and their role in fostering community.
The bill also highlights the historical significance of the 12s, including their record-setting crowd noise and the unique bond they share as a community. The legislature emphasizes the importance of this day as a celebration of the unity and pride among Seahawks fans, who come together to support their team and foster a sense of belonging. The bill aims to honor the legacy of the 12s and their impact on both the team and the broader Washington community.
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Housing
HB 1760
Removing barriers for organizations selling manufactured homes to low-income households.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1760 is bi-partisan legislation that amends existing RCW’s to expand the definition of entities exempt from vehicle dealer licensing requirements. Specifically, the bill adds a new exemption for certain nonprofit, government, and community-based organizations that sell manufactured homes to low-income households. Under the new provision, organizations such as community land trusts, resident nonprofit cooperatives, local governments, public housing authorities, nonprofit community organizations, federally recognized Indian tribes, and regional or statewide nonprofit housing assistance organizations can sell up to 12 manufactured homes per 12-month period to low-income households at cost without being required to obtain a vehicle dealer license.
This exemption is designed to remove regulatory barriers that might otherwise make it more difficult for these organizations to help low-income families access affordable housing through the sale of manufactured homes. The bill aims to support community-based efforts to provide housing solutions by simplifying the licensing requirements for organizations working to serve low-income communities.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1752 amends the reporting timeline for campaign contributions and expenditures in Washington State. Key changes include adjusting the reporting deadlines from the twenty-first day to the twentieth day and from the seventh day to the sixth day before an election. Additionally, the bill modifies the reporting requirements to reflect contributions and expenditures as of the end of two business days before the report date, rather than one. It also clarifies that incidental committees must report any election campaign expenditures and the sources of significant payments upon filing their statement of organization.
Furthermore, the bill establishes an expiration date for Section 1 on January 1, 2026, while Section 2 will take effect on the same date. These changes aim to enhance transparency and accountability in campaign finance by ensuring timely and accurate reporting of financial activities related to elections.
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Education
Concerning school districts’ authority to contract indebtedness for school construction.
Bill Summary
This bill expands the authority of school districts to incur debt for school construction and property purchases without requiring voter approval. While it may seem like a practical measure to streamline school funding, it significantly reduces taxpayer oversight and accountability in financial decisions that could lead to long-term fiscal consequences. By allowing school boards to issue bonds and take on debt without direct voter approval, the bill effectively sidelines the voices of the community, who will ultimately bear the financial burden through future taxes. This means that school districts could commit to expensive projects without seeking the input of the taxpayers who will be responsible for repaying the debt. While the bill does require a public hearing before issuing non-voted bonds over $250,000, this is a weak safeguard compared to direct voter approval, as public comment does not equate to real decision-making power.
Moreover, the bill permits school districts to use borrowed funds for broad purposes, including purchasing property and exercising any “powers or duties” they are authorized to have, opening the door to potential misuse of taxpayer money. Without voter oversight, there is little to prevent school boards from making financially irresponsible decisions that lead to higher property taxes or misallocated resources. By removing the essential checks and balances that come with requiring voter approval, this bill prioritizes administrative convenience over fiscal responsibility. Please stand against this bill.
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Education
Supporting survivors of sexual assault in public elementary and secondary schools.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1817 aims to support survivors of sexual assault in public schools. The Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) will reportedly lead discussions about mandatory reporting of child abuse, reviewing existing school employee training, reporting systems, and policies related to sexual abuse. The council will include up to 22 students aged 14 to 18, representatives from various state agencies and local experts, and by December 1, 2025, will submit recommendations for improving laws and practices to be more trauma-informed and survivor-centered. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is required to develop and post staff training materials by November 1, 2026, focusing on trauma-informed responses to sexual abuse disclosures, and must incorporate the youth advisory council’s recommendations.
The bill also amends existing law to expand reporting requirements for school employees, mandating that they report sexual abuse, misconduct, or assault by another school employee to school administrators. Additionally, OSPI will develop a student and family guide about sexual harassment policies and reporting procedures, which must be culturally informed and translated into the most common non-English languages spoken in the state.
This bill was developed by the same Democratic Party that recently refused to support an amendment to a parental rights bill that would require schools to notify parents immediately upon learning their child was a victim of sexual exploitation or abuse. Furthermore, is this a Council that kids aged 14 to 18 should be serving on? The council is not represented by any parents or parental rights groups. Please oppose this proposed legislation.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1819 aims to increase transmission capacity in Washington state by modifying existing laws and creating incentives for electrical utilities to upgrade transmission infrastructure. The bill is designed to modernize electrical transmission infrastructure, potentially improving grid reliability, supporting renewable energy integration, and facilitating the state’s clean energy goals with minimal environmental disruption.
The bill mandates electric utilities to include a transmission assessment in their integrated resource plans that examines opportunities to improve existing transmission capacity, specifically focusing on the potential to reconductor transmission lines with advanced conductors. The Public Utilities Commission is authorized to provide a financial incentive of up to a 2% increase in the rate of return on equity for electrical companies that invest in reconductoring transmission lines with advanced conductors before July 1, 2025. The bill also provides a categorical exemption from environmental review (SEPA) for transmission line upgrades within existing rights-of-way or minimal widening to meet electrical standards.
By December 31, 2029, the commission must report to the legislature on the impacts of these incentives, detailing how they have increased transmission infrastructure capacity.
Bill Summary
This bill modifies existing Washington state law regarding inspections of accredited birthing centers by establishing a streamlined licensing process. Specifically, a birthing center that is accredited by a recognized accrediting body may be exempt from a standard on-site survey during initial licensure if three key conditions are met: the Department of Health determines the accrediting body’s survey standards are substantially equivalent to state requirements, an on-site survey has been conducted within the previous 24 months, and the Department of Health receives copies of the latest survey reports demonstrating compliance.
The Department of Health retains the authority to inspect areas not covered by the accrediting body’s review and can perform validation surveys on up to 10 percent of accredited centers. The bill prioritizes a lenient interpretation of equivalency between state and accreditation standards, but also mandates notification to licensees if deficiencies are found, detailing risks to consumers. Importantly, this does not change the Department of Health’s overall enforcement authority for licensed birthing centers, ensuring continued oversight of these healthcare facilities.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1833 creates the Spark Act grant program to promote economic development through innovative uses of artificial intelligence (AI). The program, to be administered by the Washington State Department of Commerce, will provide grants to organizations developing AI technologies with potential statewide benefits, such as wildfire tracking, cybersecurity, and healthcare advancements. When evaluating grant applications, the department will prioritize proposals from applicants committed to ethical AI use, those who have analyzed product risks, small businesses, and projects with broad statewide impact.
The bill defines AI as machine learning technologies that enable computer systems to perform tasks typically associated with human intelligence, like computer vision and natural language processing. The department will solicit input from an existing AI task force to identify state priorities, award grants at least annually, and pursue federal and private funding sources. A dedicated grant program account will be established to receive appropriations and donations. Beginning in October 2027, the department must provide biennial reports to the governor and legislature detailing grant program activities, including the number of applications received, grants awarded, and types of projects supported. The ultimate goal is to position Washington as a leader in technological innovation, create high-paying jobs, and develop AI solutions that can address critical statewide challenges.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1834 aims to enhance the protection of minors in Washington state when using online services, products, or features. The bill mandates that businesses providing online services likely to be accessed by minors must implement age estimation practices, apply privacy protections, and configure default privacy settings to prioritize minors’ safety. Additionally, it prohibits the collection, sale, or retention of personal information from minors under 13, unless necessary for age assurance compliance.
Furthermore, the bill outlines specific actions that businesses must take to protect minors, including providing clear privacy information, enforcing community standards, and ensuring that minors are aware when they are being monitored. It also restricts the use of personal information in ways that could harm minors and prohibits the use of “dark patterns” to manipulate minors into providing personal information. The legislation establishes penalties for violations and emphasizes that compliance does not shield businesses from liability for harm caused to minors. Overall, the bill seeks to create a safer online environment for children by regulating how online services interact with and protect young users.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1842 amends existing laws to allow public utility districts in Washington State to form, own, or use captive insurers. Specifically, it modifies specific RCW’s to include provisions that enable public utility districts to become captive owners as defined in RCW 48.201.020. This change is intended to provide local government entities with greater flexibility in self-insuring and managing risks, while also ensuring that they comply with regulatory standards. The bill emphasizes the need for prior approval for self-insurance programs and mandates that local government entities notify the state of any self-insurance programs established without prior approval.
Additionally, the bill introduces a new section to chapter 54.04 RCW, explicitly stating that public utility districts may act as captive owners. The definition of “captive owner” is expanded to include municipal corporations organized under Title 54 RCW, thereby formalizing the ability of public utility districts to engage in captive insurance practices. This legislative change aims to enhance the financial management capabilities of public utility districts by allowing them to better control their insurance needs and associated risks.
Bill Summary
Furthermore, the bill introduces new definitions and provisions related to the manufacturing and blending of alternative jet fuel, including tax exemptions for facilities engaged in these activities. Specifically, it exempts leasehold interests in buildings, machinery, and equipment used primarily for manufacturing or blending alternative jet fuel from state property and leasehold taxes, provided that the fuel produced meets certain carbon reduction criteria. The bill also establishes a performance statement for the tax preferences granted, with criteria for extending these preferences based on increased production, minimal pollution impact, and measurable economic growth. A preliminary report is due by December 1, 2032.
Bill Summary
Washington House Bill 1854, also known as the ‘Family Housing Act’, aims to facilitate the subdivision of land in rural areas for families, recognizing the importance of housing and care for elderly family members in these regions. It introduces new provisions that allow counties to permit the division of land outside urban growth areas specifically for the transfer or sale to family members, including parents, children, grandchildren, spouses, and siblings. The bill stipulates that the original parcel must have been owned for over five years, and the subdivision application must identify the family member for whom each new lot is intended, with restrictions on the number of lots a family member can receive.
Additionally, the bill outlines that while lot sizes must be sufficient to accommodate a residence and necessary infrastructure, they do not need to conform to the same size requirements as those for non-family-owned properties. It also states that any development on these newly created lots must comply with existing local regulations, except for lot size and setbacks. The bill replaces any conflicting court decisions or growth management board rulings regarding specific lot sizes with its provisions, thereby promoting family housing in rural areas.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1860 proposes the creation of a Washington State Supply Chain Competitiveness Infrastructure Program, working to strengthen the state’s infrastructure for the benefit of public ports and federally recognized tribes involved in port operations. The Department of Transportation (DOT) would lead this initiative, collaborating with key stakeholders such as the Department of Commerce, the Washington Public Ports Association, and the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board (FMSIB). This bill aims to establish a dedicated grant and loan program to boost the competitiveness of the state’s ports, a vital part of Washington’s $60 billion export economy.
By developing a program through the Supply Chain Competitiveness Infrastructure Program Account, the bill directly addresses Washington’s status as a top export state. Providing financial support to public ports and tribes will support job creation, greater access to international markets, and improvements in the supply chain, all crucial to support ongoing global trade. By creating a program focused on these regions specifically, HB 1860 ensures equity in the distribution of resources, empowering tribal communities to thrive in an increasingly competitive global economy. Additional benefits include transparency, with clear performance goals and metrics set collaboratively, ensuring accountability. This initiative also has no direct appropriation costs, utilizing existing transportation accounts to fund the grants and loans. Supporting HB 1860 will be an investment leading to improved port infrastructure, enhanced trade opportunities, and a more robust state economy, making it an effective and strategic choice for Washington.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1876 exempts a qualified patient from the seven-day waiting period between the first and second request for life ending medication in certain circumstances. The legislation also specifies that the prohibition against an attending or consulting qualifying medical provider having a direct supervisory relationship with the other provider only applies if one of the providers is a physician assistant. Hence, PA’s would now be able to prescribe these legal drugs.
The initial safeguards put into place when this bill was initially passed are slowly be eroded, year after year – just as we predicted. Please oppose this dangerous legislation.
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Freedom
Adopting the Department of Social and Health Services report recommendations addressing a regulatory oversight plan for continuing care retirement communities.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1889 modifies Washington State regulations for life plan communities or continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). CCRC’s are a long-term care option for older people who want to stay in the same place through different phases of the aging process. Many people who retire into these facilities, have sold their homes and plan to live there for the rest of their lives. While communities like this offer many benefits to residents, there is a lack of regulatory oversight and transparency.
This bill will provide the following benefits:
• Enhanced Oversight: By requiring CCRCs to register with DSHS and submit important documents, the legislation ensures better regulatory oversight and accountability.
• Financial Security: The mandated actuarial analysis will help ensure that CCRCs can fulfill their long-term contractual obligations, providing residents with greater financial security.
• Consumer Protection: The ability to enforce violations under the Consumer Protection Act will protect residents’ rights and hold CCRCs accountable.
• Resident Advocacy: The creation of the Senior Independent Living Ombuds office will provide residents with an advocate to address their concerns and protect their interests.
• Transparency: Requiring CCRCs to provide disclosure statements and audited financial statements will increase transparency, allowing residents to make more informed decisions.
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Safety
Increasing local law enforcement officers by authorizing a local sales and use tax credited against the state portion to hire additional officers and increasing the number of basic law enforcement courses offered by the criminal justice training commission.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1896 aims to enhance local law enforcement in Washington State by allowing counties and cities to impose a local sales and use tax of 0.10 percent, which will be credited against the state tax. This tax revenue is designated specifically for hiring additional commissioned law enforcement officers, with provisions for its use in criminal justice purposes if the local commissioned rate exceeds the national average. The bill also emphasizes the need for increased law enforcement training, mandating the Criminal Justice Training Commission to provide a minimum number of basic law enforcement training classes in the upcoming fiscal years.
Additionally, the bill amends existing law regarding basic law enforcement training requirements, specifying that personnel employed after July 1, 2023, must commence training within a defined timeframe. It also clarifies the training obligations for limited authority Washington peace officers and outlines the commission’s authority to provide training and associated costs. The bill includes several insertions, such as the requirement for the commission to offer at least 27 basic law enforcement training classes starting in fiscal year 2026 and increasing to 28 classes in fiscal year 2027, contingent upon sufficient legislative funding.
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Environment
Concerning the exemption for fuels used for agricultural purposes in the Climate Commitment Act.
Bill Summary
The bill amends the Climate Commitment Act to establish a remittance program for fuels used for agricultural purposes. It mandates the Department to adopt rules that allow suppliers of dyed fuel and other exempt fuels to receive remittances based on projected fuel price impacts derived from total allowance costs. The bill also requires the Department to ensure that suppliers do not charge exempt users for compliance costs and that the price impacts of the program are not passed on to these users. Additionally, the Department is tasked with posting calculated fuel price impacts on its website and issuing remittances to valid purchasers of exempt fuel.
Furthermore, the bill expands the definition of exempt fuels to include any motor vehicle fuel or special fuel used exclusively for agricultural purposes, regardless of whether it is dyed. It also stipulates that the Department must develop a method to permanently expand this exemption to include fuels used for transporting agricultural products on public highways. The bill aims to support the agricultural sector by providing financial relief from compliance costs associated with greenhouse gas emissions regulations.
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Transportation
Establishing new sources of transportation revenue based on motor vehicle use of public roadways.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1921 establishes a road usage charge (RUC) system in Washington State to generate new transportation revenue through a per-mile fee on eligible vehicles. It introduces both voluntary and mandatory programs, with the voluntary program starting on July 1, 2027, for electric and hybrid vehicles, and the mandatory program commencing on July 1, 2029, expanding to include internal combustion engine vehicles over time. If passed, House Bill 1921 would gradually transition Washington state to a road usage charge system over the next 10 years. The transition would begin with passenger vehicles under 10,000 pounds.
• Phase 1 (2027-2029): Voluntary for EV and hybrid drivers (registration fees waived).
• Phase 2 (2029-2031): Mandatory for EVs/hybrids; voluntary for fuel-efficient gas vehicles (20+ mpg).
• Phase 3 (2031-2035): Mandatory for all gas vehicles with 20+ mpg. Beginning July 2031 – 2035, fuel-efficient cars will be phased in from most to least fuel-efficient
The primary argument for the tax is that with more fuel-efficient and electric vehicles, Washington’s gas tax revenue is disappearing. According to Democrats, the RUC ensures that all drivers contribute fairly by paying for their road usage, rather than paying by the gallon of gas they consume. The road usage charge rate would be 2.6 cents per mile, which would be adjusted periodically to match the gas tax revenue. The legislation would involve annual odometer reporting, with self-reporting starting in 2026. GPS tracking is optional. Drivers would pay either the RUC or a gas tax, but not both. Gas tax already paid would be credited. Residents who own electric or hybrid vehicles that opt in would no longer pay the $225/$75 annual registration fees.
But here’s where the wheels fall off. Drivers would pay the gas tax at the pump and be charged the RUC at the same time. Your gas tax would then be credited toward your RUC at renewal. The gas tax wouldn’t disappear right away. That’s because our transportation projects are bonded against the gas tax and those bonds need to be paid back with the gas tax. RUC’s may be in our future but there are a number of issues that need to be addressed before this concept is ready to be instituted. Please register ‘CON’ on this bill.
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Transportation
Increasing the availability of passenger-only ferries by establishing the Mosquito Fleet Act.
Bill Summary
As the largest ferry system in the United States and second largest in the world, Washington State Ferries (WSF) is responsible for carrying nearly 20 million riders per year and has a fleet of 21 vessels that operate on 10 routes in the Puget Sound. Fixing our ferry system can’t happen overnight, but increasing passenger-only ferries can help ease the pain for riders around Puget Sound who rely on WSF daily to get to work, school, and the doctor. However, House Bill 1923 establishes the Mosquito Fleet Act, which aims to increase passenger-only ferry service in Washington state. The legislation creates a framework for local governments – including counties, port districts, public transportation benefit areas, and other transit authorities – to establish passenger-only ferry service districts. These districts can develop and operate passenger-only ferry services, purchase vessels, construct dock facilities, and address transportation gaps.
The bill creates a local passenger-only ferry account and establishes a grant program administered by the county road administration board to provide funding for ferry vessel purchases, dock improvements, service operations, and feasibility studies. The legislation is motivated by multiple goals, including improving transportation reliability, supporting communities dependent on ferry service, preparing for the FIFA World Cup, supporting tourism and small businesses, and creating workforce development opportunities in the maritime sector. The bill draws inspiration from Washington’s historical “mosquito fleet” of small vessels and aims to provide faster, more flexible transportation options. The grant program, scheduled to begin July 1, 2025, will help local entities develop passenger-only ferry services that can quickly respond to transportation needs and supplement existing Washington state ferry services.
“Folks are frustrated with years of ferry service cuts and cancellations,” said Rep. Greg Nance, D-Kitsap, primary sponsor of the bill. “Getting more passenger-only boats in the water is the fastest way to show our neighbors that the legislature is making progress to fix our ferries.”
Bill Summary
House Bill 1925 aims to enhance secondary training opportunities for youth in natural resource and conservation careers in Washington State. It recognizes the importance of these jobs for climate resilience and rural economic vitality, while addressing the limited pathways available for young people aged 14 to 17 to enter these fields. The legislation intends to fund a career preparation program that builds on existing initiatives, such as the Youth in Sustainable Natural Resource Systems (YESS) programs, which focus on engaging historically marginalized youth and promoting positive mental and physical health outcomes through connections to nature.
To implement this program, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction will select a qualified nonprofit partner with extensive experience in education and natural resources. The program will offer courses that meet state standards and provide students with opportunities to earn high school credits, dual credits with community colleges, or industry-recognized credentials. Additionally, the bill mandates regular reporting on the program’s activities, funding usage, and recommendations for its future. New sections outline the program’s structure, criteria for course offerings, and evaluation requirements.
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Elections
Requiring senate confirmation of gubernatorial appointments to vacancies on the Supreme Court.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1928 is designed to reform Washington state’s Supreme Court gubernatorial appointee process. “We need urgent action to restore the public’s trust and confidence in our judiciary,” says primary sponsor Hunter Abell, R-Inchelium, an attorney by trade. “Too many times, a judge retires mid-term, and then the governor appoints a new judge who runs as an incumbent during the next election. They rarely, if ever, lose that first election.“Over half of our state’s current Supreme Court members were initially appointed to their positions. In these nonpartisan races, information about judicial campaigns is lacking, and voter turnout is often low,” said Abell.
House Bill 1928 requires a two-thirds vote of the Washington State Senate for Supreme Court gubernatorial appointments. House Joint Resolution 4203 is the vehicle that allows for the required constitutional amendment to change the appointee process. In Washington state, a House or Senate Joint Resolution can amend the constitution with a two-thirds vote of approval in both the House and Senate. It then needs approval from a majority of voters at the next general election.
Abell says dissatisfaction and lack of trust in the judicial system should help the legislation through the legislative process. He pointed to a recent Gallup Poll that found confidence in the nation’s judicial system and courts was at an all-time low of 35% in 2024. “The judiciary is supposed to be an impartial check on the two other branches of government. The high number of judges retiring mid-term creates an appearance that these retirements are politically calculated and undermines the public’s trust and confidence in the judiciary,” explained Abell. “Requiring legislative confirmation is an important step to strengthening the public’s trust and confidence in our judiciary. It will help prevent future governors and their political parties from stacking the bench in their favor. This is legislation that is good for Washington, regardless of political affiliation.”
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Elections
Requiring senate confirmation of gubernatorial appointments to vacancies on the Court of Appeals.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1929 is designed to reform Washington state’s Court of Appeals gubernatorial appointee process. “We need urgent action to restore the public’s trust and confidence in our judiciary,” says primary sponsor Hunter Abell, R-Inchelium, an attorney by trade. “Too many times, a judge retires mid-term, and then the governor appoints a new judge who runs as an incumbent during the next election. They rarely, if ever, lose that first election.“Nearly 80% of the Court of Appeals members were initially appointed to their positions. In these nonpartisan races, information about judicial campaigns is lacking, and voter turnout is often low,” said Abell.
House Bill 1929 requires a two-thirds vote of the Washington State Senate for Court of Appeals gubernatorial appointments. House Joint Resolution 4203 is the vehicle that allows for the required constitutional amendment to change the appointee process. In Washington state, a House or Senate Joint Resolution can amend the constitution with a two-thirds vote of approval in both the House and Senate. It then needs approval from a majority of voters at the next general election.
Abell says dissatisfaction and lack of trust in the judicial system should help the legislation through the legislative process. He pointed to a recent Gallup Poll that found confidence in the nation’s judicial system and courts was at an all-time low of 35% in 2024. “The judiciary is supposed to be an impartial check on the two other branches of government. The high number of judges retiring mid-term creates an appearance that these retirements are politically calculated and undermines the public’s trust and confidence in the judiciary,” explained Abell. “Requiring legislative confirmation is an important step to strengthening the public’s trust and confidence in our judiciary. It will help prevent future governors and their political parties from stacking the bench in their favor. This is legislation that is good for Washington, regardless of political affiliation.”
Bill Summary
A December report from the William D. Ruckelshaus Center found that many people who interact with the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission consider its current structure “dysfunctional” and in need of reforms, citing concerns about effectiveness, transparency and accountability.
Just two days before Bob Ferguson took over the Governor’s office, former Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Lynn O’Connor and reappointed commission vice chair Tim Ragen to the nine-member group, which oversees the Department of Fish and Wildlife and plays a key part in setting wildlife management policy. A week later, Ferguson sent a letter to the state Senate asking for the nomination process to be halted. He cited “multiple letters, emails and other correspondence from individuals, tribes and other entities expressing a desire for a more extensive process for these appointments.”
The Senate unanimously agreed to withdraw the appointments, leaving the commission down two members. It’s just the latest twist in a growing debacle surrounding the commission and its role. The findings have sparked legislation this session to change the appointment process.
Currently, the governor appoints all nine of the commission’s members. They are subject to confirmation by the state Senate and serve six-year terms. According to state law, the governor must strive for a balance when selecting members that reflects the different aspects of fish and wildlife management, such as fishing, hunting and conservation. A bill recently introduced in the Legislature is attempting to change the process.
House Bill 1930 reforms the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission by changing its composition and appointment process. Instead of being entirely appointed by the governor, the nine-member commission will now have six members selected by counties within six departmental regions, with each region nominating one representative through a collaborative county process. The remaining three members will be at-large appointments made by the governor, with the requirement that at least one at-large member must reside in eastern Washington and another in western Washington. To be eligible for appointment, commissioners must have held a hunting or fishing license in three of the five years preceding their appointment. The bill also introduces provisions for staggered initial terms, with the first regional appointments to be made by December 31, 2025, and beginning January 1, 2026. Additionally, the bill encourages the department to invite commissioners to participate in training on tribal sovereignty and rights, and mandates that the commission hold in-person meetings in each of its six regions to improve communication and address potential conflicts, subject to appropriate funding.
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Safety
Concerning the disclosure of information pertaining to complainants, accusers and witnesses in an employment investigation.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1934 modifies an existing Public Records Act exemption to protect public employees involved in an investigation of workplace harassment by protecting personal identifiers. It would require redacting images, employee agency job titles, email addresses, and phone numbers of complainants, accusers, and witnesses. It would also require altering their voices on audio recordings from the investigation.
“The Public Records Act is a vital tool that promotes and exemplifies open government. But it shouldn’t be used as a backdoor for the accused to gain access to whistleblower identities,” said Rep. Rob Chase, R-Liberty Lake. “If we don’t fix this loophole, public employees will be less likely to come forward in fear of possible retribution. When trust in our institutions is at an all-time low, we need to ensure that public employees can hold their agencies accountable through the whistleblower process and protections. This is an important bill, and I’m extremely pleased with its bipartisan support.”
Rep. Chase said he proposed the legislation due to an incident that happened in his Fourth Legislative District. “We had a situation in a local government where whistleblowers came forward during an investigation with the expectation they would be protected. They thought – and rightly so – that current whistleblower laws would shield them from being identified and suffering any retribution. However, that wasn’t the case. The individual being investigated did a public records request and was able to gain access to documents showing email addresses and other personal information,” explained Chase.
Bill Summary
Washington State House Bill 1938 has been introduced by three Democratic representatives and establishes the Washington State Flag Redesign Committee to create a new state flag that represents the state’s diversity, history, and identity.
Washington’s current state flag was officially adopted in 1923 and features a detailed portrait of George Washington on a dark green field.
According to the bill’s text, supporters of the change argue that the design is overly complex, difficult to reproduce, and does not effectively represent the state’s distinct character. Additionally, some believe the use of George Washington’s image lacks a direct connection to the state’s history and cultural diversity.
The Flag Redesign Committee will be composed of 16 members, including representatives from the arts commission, state legislature, secretary of state’s office, historical society, designers, cultural leaders, tribal representatives, and citizen representatives from different regions of the state. The committee’s primary responsibilities include developing a new flag design through a comprehensive public engagement process, soliciting design suggestions from schools, community organizations, and tribes, hosting public forums and online surveys, and reviewing submitted designs for creativity, historical relevance, and representation of Washington’s diverse population and landscapes. The committee must select up to five final designs, with the final design chosen by unanimous vote, and then submit a detailed report to the legislature and governor by August 1, 2028.
The new flag design will be submitted to voters in a referendum at the next general election, allowing citizens to choose between the proposed new design and the current flag.
Washington is not alone in reconsidering its state flag design. States like Mississippi and Utah have recently undertaken redesign efforts to create new state flags.
This bill appears to be a ‘distraction bill’ to keep citizens from focusing on topics that are much more important at this time. Parental rights, education, public safety, housing, crime, taxes and other issues are certainly more pressing than the redesign of our state flag. FPIW also disagrees that the current image of George Washington “lacks a direct connection to the state’s history”. Our state is named after the very first President and the ‘Father of His Country’. Furthermore, his image graces our state seal. Any redesign should continue to incorporate George Washington’s image. Please consider providing written testimony on this bill.
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Transportation
Concerning regulation of transportation network companies during large-scale events.
Bill Summary
HB 1951 amends existing regulations concerning transportation network companies (TNCs) in Washington State, particularly during large-scale events and emergencies. It introduces new provisions that prohibit TNCs from charging fares exceeding 120% of the driver’s
pay for prearranged rides during large-scale events, which are defined as gatherings of 10,000 or more individuals outdoors or 1,000 or more indoors. Additionally, the bill establishes that violations of these fare regulations are considered unlawful and unfair
practices.
Furthermore, the bill allows local governments to regulate TNCs during large special events through geofencing to create designated drop-off and pick-up zones. A “large special event” is defined as an event assessed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at rating levels one through five. The bill maintains the preemption of local regulations on TNCs while allowing certain exceptions for existing ordinances and regulations in larger cities and counties.
This legislation protects passengers who might otherwise be price-gouged while protecting drivers by ensuring fare caps still align with their compensation. By capping surge pricing and tying it to driver pay, the bill strikes a balance between affordability and fairness. It also provides cities limited authority to manage traffic and public safety during major events without creating a patchwork of burdensome regulations. HB 1951 promotes transparency, curbs price gouging, and helps ensure transportation access remains fair and dependable when people need it most.
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Health Care
Providing consistency in the rate approval process for individual and small group market health plans.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1957 aims to enhance the consistency of the rate approval process for individual and small group market health plans in Washington State. It amends existing laws to clarify the conditions under which the insurance commissioner can disapprove rate filings. Notably, the bill stipulates that rates for individual and small group market health benefit plans cannot be utilized until 60 days after they are filed with the commissioner. If the commissioner does not disapprove a rate filing within this timeframe, the filing will be deemed approved for both individual and small group market plans.
Additionally, the bill reinforces the grounds for disapproval of policy forms and contracts, ensuring they do not contain misleading clauses or unreasonable restrictions. It emphasizes that the benefits provided must be reasonable in relation to the premiums charged. The amendments also maintain the right of health care service contractors and health maintenance organizations to demand hearings if their contracts are disapproved, thereby ensuring a fair process in the rate approval and disapproval mechanisms.
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Energy
Encouraging renewable energy in Washington through tax policy and investment in local communities.
Bill Summary
HB 1960 is a costly and convoluted attempt at restructuring renewable energy taxation that ultimately harms businesses and consumers alike. By replacing an existing property tax exemption with a new excise tax, the bill increases financial burdens on renewable energy developers, potentially discouraging investment in Washington’s clean energy sector. The proposed excise tax rates are high, disproportionately affecting wind energy projects, which are already expensive to develop and maintain.
Additionally, the bill creates unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles by tying local investment commitments to grant eligibility, favoring jurisdictions that meet arbitrary state-defined criteria. Instead of streamlining the permitting and approval process for renewable projects, HB 1960 adds more regulatory red tape, delaying much-needed energy infrastructure. While it claims to support local communities, the bill restricts grant funding to projects in areas without certain zoning restrictions, potentially excluding regions that want renewable energy but have reasonable development guidelines.
The legislation also empowers the Department of Revenue with broad authority over tax distribution, creating uncertainty for developers and local governments. Finally, HB 1960 fails to provide meaningful incentives for energy storage and grid modernization, which are crucial for a reliable transition to renewable power. By imposing higher taxes and complex regulations, the bill could slow down Washington’s clean energy progress rather than accelerating it.
Bill Summary
Washington State House Bill 1968 modifies the definition of endangerment with a controlled substance, escalating it to a Class B felony. The bill specifically targets fentanyl and synthetic opioids, as well as methamphetamine and its precursors. Exemptions from criminal liability are granted to specified Department of Children, Youth, and Families personnel. The amendment clarifies what constitutes criminal exposure of children and dependent adults to these dangerous substances. The bill ultimately aims to strengthen penalties for endangering children and adults via controlled substances.
Bill Summary
HB 1969 establishes a law enforcement aviation support grant program aimed at providing financial assistance to local law enforcement rotary wing aviation support units in Washington State. The program will be developed and implemented by the department, which will work with a statewide association of law enforcement executives to identify and recognize these units. The funding will be distributed equally, with 50% allocated for maintaining and operating the aviation support units, covering costs such as pilot and crew expenses, aircraft maintenance, and training. Additionally, the remaining funds will be available for reimbursement of costs associated with search and rescue missions conducted by these units, excluding depreciation costs.
The bill also amends existing laws to include sheriff’s offices alongside local fire departments in the context of aerial fire response capabilities and initial attack strategies during wildland fires. It mandates that the department prepare an annual report on aviation usage by both local fire departments and sheriff’s offices, detailing funding utilization, specific departments involved, and lessons learned from the previous fire season. The legislation emphasizes the importance of aviation resources in preventing wildfires from escalating and aims to ensure that local agencies have the financial capacity to effectively deploy these resources. The new provisions will expire on July 1, 2027.
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Transportation
Concerning state highway construction projects alternative contracting procedures.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1970 modifies existing laws related to state highway construction project contracting procedures, specifically focusing on the design-build and general contractor/construction manager methods. It allows public bodies to apply for certification to use these alternative contracting procedures without needing committee approval for three years once certified. The bill outlines the requirements for certification, including demonstrating successful management of relevant projects and resolving any previous audit findings. Additionally, it introduces a provision that exempts the Department of Transportation from certification requirements for individual projects using these contracting methods.
Furthermore, the bill modifies the process for awarding competitively bid highway construction contracts, removing the previous monetary threshold of two million dollars and allowing the use of alternative public works contracting procedures. It also encourages the Department of Transportation to utilize design-build, progressive design-build, and general contractor/construction manager methods for public works projects, with specific stipulations regarding project approvals. The act is declared an emergency measure, taking effect immediately to ensure the preservation of public safety and support for state government functions.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1971 increases access to hormone therapy, which can be used to support transgenderism. Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest supporter of abortion and so-called gender-affirming care, notes: “If HB 1971 is enacted, Washington will be the first in the nation to pass legislation increasing access to hormone therapy medication. For countless Washingtonians — whether it’s managing menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hyperandrogenism, gender-affirming care, or other essential health needs — this legislation is a game-changer.”
By mandating that health plans cover a 12-month supply of prescription hormone therapy at one time, rather than a 1-month supply, the bill removes important safeguards in prescription management. One major concern is patient safety. Hormone therapy requires careful monitoring, and a full-year supply could lead to misuse, incorrect dosage adjustments, or unmonitored side effects. Regular medical check-ups ensure that dosages remain appropriate and that patients do not experience adverse reactions. This bill could reduce those necessary interactions between patients and their doctors. Additionally, the financial burden on health insurers could lead to increased premiums for everyone. Requiring insurers to reimburse large, up-front supplies of medication forces them to take on higher financial risks, which they may offset by raising costs for all enrollees. Instead of helping patients, this bill could make healthcare less affordable overall.
While ensuring access to necessary medications is important, HB 1971 overlooks the complexities of responsible prescription management. Rather than improving healthcare, it could lead to unintended consequences, such as medication misuse, higher healthcare costs, and pharmacy supply challenges. Ensuring that patients receive the care they need should involve ongoing medical oversight, not just a one-time, large-quantity dispensation.
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Transportation
Allowing certain private employer transportation services to use certain public transportation facilities.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1980 allows private employer transportation services to use designated transit-only lanes, and thus prioritizing sustainability and reducing traffic congestion. Employers who offer transportation for their employees help take cars off the road, easing congestion for all commuters. Rep. Janice Zahn, the main sponsor, highlights this point on her website: “This bill allows King County Metro and cities to issue permits for employer shuttles to use bus-only transit lanes—including on the upcoming RapidRide K Line. By optimizing existing transit infrastructure, we improve commuting options and reduce congestion.”
There are millions of commuters in these areas, and many workers rely on employer-provided transportation to get to and from work efficiently. When employer-run shuttles share transit lanes, fewer single-occupancy vehicles clog the roads. This means shorter commute times for everyone, including public transit riders. HB 1980 ensures that private employer shuttles meet strict criteria, including annual certification from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). These regulations check that the shared use of transit lanes remains safe, reliable, and efficient. This bill does not interfere with public transportation operations but instead complements them.
Finally, HB 1980 aligns with Washington’s long-term transportation goals by making better use of existing infrastructure rather than requiring costly new projects. It’s a fiscally responsible way to enhance mobility. Counties with large populations, such as King County, must embrace flexible, innovative transportation solutions. Employer-provided transit is already reducing congestion, and this bill ensures it can operate more effectively.
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Energy
Authorizing utility companies to securitize certain costs related to disasters or emergencies to lower costs to customers.
Bill Summary
The proposed bill authorizes electrical, gas, and water companies in Washington State to utilize securitization financing for costs related to disasters or emergencies, aiming to lower customer costs. It establishes a framework for companies to petition the utilities and transportation commission for financing orders that designate specific expenditures as bondable, which can then be financed through rate recovery bonds. The bill introduces new definitions for “rate recovery assets,” “rate recovery bonds,” and “financing orders,” while ensuring that securitized debt is not classified as public debt. The commission’s authority over rates and services is preserved, and it is mandated to evaluate the reasonableness of expenditures and the benefits of securitization for customers.
Significant amendments include the removal of previous requirements for companies to seek determinations on bondable conservation investments and the introduction of new terms clarifying the nature of rate recovery assets. The bill emphasizes that rate recovery charges are irrevocable until all costs are paid, preventing changes by the commission or state agencies. It also establishes a process for transferring rate recovery assets, ensuring protection against claims and outlining the rights of secured parties. Additionally, costs for energy or water conservation measures can be classified as bondable if they meet specific criteria, and the bill includes provisions to maintain the rights of companies under approved contracts even in bankruptcy situations. The act is designed to take effect immediately, highlighting its significance for public safety and state governance.
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Safety
Improving public safety funding by providing resources to local governments and state and local criminal justice agencies, and authorizing a local option tax.
Bill Summary
HB 2015 is another tax increase, and it is an unnecessary tax increase disguised as a public safety measure that burdens local communities without real accountability. By authorizing a new 0.1% sales and use tax, this bill raises the cost of everyday goods and services, disproportionately impacting low-income residents. While it claims to fund law enforcement, the bill ties grant eligibility to compliance with politically driven policies, limiting how local agencies can use the funds. This means some communities might be forced to adopt policies that do not align with their specific safety needs just to receive financial support. As we have noted before: The crime problem is not rooted in a lack of funding, but it includes a lack of proper punishment for crime, an undermining of police use, and far too many “soft-on-crime” judges.
Additionally, the bill mandates spending on retention bonuses and recruitment but does not guarantee that these efforts will actually improve public safety. Instead of focusing on proven crime reduction strategies, HB 2015 creates bureaucratic hurdles that could lead to inefficiencies and misallocated resources. The requirement that agencies impose the new tax to qualify for grants effectively forces local governments into raising taxes rather than giving them flexibility in budget decisions. Public safety should be prioritized through responsible spending and policy reforms, not by coercing cities into tax increases. Furthermore, the bill lacks sufficient oversight to ensure the tax revenue is spent effectively.
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Taxes
Creating a business and occupation tax deduction and increasing the rate for persons conducting payment card processing activities.
Bill Summary
House Bill 2020 introduces a new 3% business and occupation (B&O) tax rate specifically for businesses involved in payment card processing activities, while also allowing them to deduct certain fees, such as interchange and network fees, from that taxable income. Although it claims to bring clarity and fairness to the tax treatment of payment processors, the bill raises serious concerns about the precedent it sets and the potential downstream impacts on consumers and small businesses.
At its core, HB 2020 raises taxes on a narrow sector of the financial services industry—payment processors—by creating a higher tax rate than the standard B&O rate applied to most other service businesses. The state’s typical B&O tax rate for services is 1.5%–1.75%, but this bill more than doubles that for these businesses. While some argue this merely aligns taxation with revenue sources and avoids taxing pass-through fees, the real burden may still fall on the businesses that rely on these processors—and by extension, on consumers who will likely see fees and prices increase to offset higher taxes.
The bill carves out some deductions for specific transaction-related fees, but the details are complex and narrowly tailored. Additionally, this bill may ultimately consolidate market power in the hands of a few large payment processors who can absorb the increased costs, while pushing out smaller processors and innovators who cannot compete under such an uneven tax framework. That’s bad news for competition, bad news for small businesses, and bad news for consumers.
Bill Summary
House Bill 2033 is a tax on nicotine products. It proposes an expansion of the definition of “tobacco products” in Washington State law to include any product containing nicotine—whether derived from tobacco or synthetically manufactured. By taxing these products, the bill aims to subject a much broader range of nicotine-containing items to the existing Other Tobacco Products (OTP) tax. This includes not only traditional products like cigars and moist snuff, but also modern nicotine alternatives like pouches, lozenges, and possibly even nicotine gums or patches used for smoking cessation.
Here are the rates: for cigars except little cigars, 95 percent of the taxable sales price of cigars, not to exceed 65 cents per cigar; for little cigars, 15.125 cents per stick; for moist snuff: cans that weigh 1.2 oz or less, $2.526 per can; or cans that weigh more than 1.2 oz, $2.105 per oz; and for all other tobacco products, 95 percent of the taxable sales price.
Supporters argue the bill ensures fairness in taxation and discourages nicotine use, but in practice, it could have damaging consequences for public health and small businesses alike. This measure would impose a heavy tax burden on consumers seeking safer alternatives to cigarettes, such as nicotine pouches and non-combustible products. These products, often used by individuals trying to quit smoking, would now be taxed at the same high rate as traditional tobacco products, potentially disincentivizing their use and slowing smoking cessation progress. Furthermore, HB 2033 would place local vape and tobacco retailers under greater strain, raising prices and making it harder for small businesses to compete. The state should promote smarter, evidence-based policy—not blanket taxation that could drive consumers away from safer options and into the black market. For these reasons, citizens should oppose HB 2033.
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Taxes
Establishing the youth behavioral health account and funding the account through the imposition of a business and occupation additional tax on the operation of social media platforms.
Bill Summary
House Bill 2038 is another tax — this time it’s on businesses that operate social media. It proposes creating a Youth Behavioral Health Account, which would be funded through an additional 0.4% business and occupation (B&O) tax. The bill intends to use the revenue to support mental and behavioral health programs for individuals aged prenatal to 25, including school-based telehealth and services managed by the Office of the Governor.
Citizens should oppose HB 2038 for at least four reasons: First, we do not need nor want more left-wing government influence upon the minds of our youth. Second, it sets a precedent for singling out specific industries to fund public “services” that often merely grow an already bloated government. Third, the bill also hurts businesses and consumers. It increases costs for small tech companies and startups that meet the bill’s broad definition of a social media platform, even if they’re not major players such as Facebook or TikTok. These added costs may ultimately be passed on to consumers or lead to reduced services. And fourth, HB 2038 bypasses the normal 10-year sunset clause and accountability review process (JLARC), limiting oversight and inviting future misuse of funds without thorough evaluation. We hope you can see that this bill is a “feel-good solution” that may under-deliver long-term and unfairly target one slice of the business landscape. Please register CON.
Bill Summary
House Bill 2039 delays crucial financial support for Washington’s most vulnerable families. At its core, this bill postpones by over three years a law already passed in 2024 that would ensure families on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) receive all of the current child support collected on their behalf. That law was set to take effect in January 2026, reflecting a strong bipartisan commitment to helping low-income families keep more of the money legally owed to their children. By pushing the implementation date to July 2029, HB 2039 undermines that progress and delays economic relief to struggling parents and children.
Currently, Washington only passes through a small portion—$50 to $100 a month—of child support payments to families on TANF. The rest is kept by the state and shared with the federal government. That’s money meant for kids, not government coffers. The 2024 legislation rightly changed that, promising that all current child support would go directly to the families, where it can help cover essentials like food, clothing, rent, and child care. HB 2039 erases that promise—at least for the next several years. Families receiving TANF are among the poorest in our state; they shouldn’t be forced to wait until 2029 to receive money that is rightfully theirs. Supporters of the bill may point to budgetary concerns or administrative challenges, but those are weak justifications when weighed against the harm caused to real people—especially children—by continued diversion of their support payments. The Legislature needs to keep the promise it made in 2024 and ensure struggling families receive the full support they deserve now, not three years from now.
Bill Summary
House Bill 2040 seeks to delay the elimination of debt recovery from recipients of Washington’s Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) Cash Assistance Program. Originally, the legislature passed a law in 2023 to end the state’s practice of recouping benefits from low-income individuals who later qualify for federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI), with an effective date of October 1, 2025. This bill would push that relief back by three years, to October 1, 2028, prolonging the hardship on some of the state’s most vulnerable residents. The ABD program serves people who are either elderly, blind, or severely disabled, often with no other source of income and frequently facing homelessness or medical crises.
Registering against HB 2040 is a vote for compassion and fiscal justice. The current law already recognizes that forcing low-income, disabled individuals to repay state benefits once they qualify for federal assistance is punitive and unnecessary. The original reform rightly acknowledged that it is counterproductive to extract funds from people who barely have enough to survive, often relying on a patchwork of assistance to meet their basic needs. Delaying the end of recoveries means the state would continue to treat these benefits as loans rather than the lifeline they are meant to be.
Bill Summary
House Bill 2041 cuts vital health care coverage for postpartum individuals in Washington, reducing eligibility from 12 months to just 6 months after the end of a pregnancy. This rollback is not just a budget decision—it’s a potential threat to the health and wellbeing of new parents and their babies during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives. The current 12-month coverage under Apple Health ensures that postpartum individuals—especially those with low income—have access to essential medical services like mental health care, follow-up appointments, contraception, and treatment for chronic conditions that may arise or worsen after childbirth. Halving that coverage window could lead to untreated health conditions, increased maternal complications, and even higher rates of maternal mortality.
This bill is also out of step with medical recommendations. National health organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, stress that comprehensive care is crucial through the entire first year postpartum. Cutting off support at six months ignores the real and often delayed health challenges many new parents face. From a fiscal perspective, while this bill might offer short-term budget savings, it will likely lead to greater long-term costs. Untreated postpartum health issues can result in more emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and long-term health complications that are far more expensive to treat.
Bill Summary
House Bill 2044 is a “soft-on-truancy” bill. It proposes eliminating the requirement for school districts in Washington State to file truancy petitions with juvenile courts after repeated unexcused student absences. Instead, the bill would rely on community engagement boards as the primary intervention method. While it aims to reduce the criminalization of youth and streamline support through community-based solutions, the bill effectively removes one of the few remaining formal accountability mechanisms available to schools and families. Opposing this bill is essential because it undermines the seriousness of chronic absenteeism. By eliminating the truancy petition requirement, the bill removes a critical tool that has historically compelled action and helped re-engage students before they fall irreparably behind.
Moreover, the bill repeals a wide range of statutes that provided structured pathways to accountability and support—including judicial oversight, data reporting on petitions, and the ability to order interventions such as substance testing when needed. Removing these requirements may lead to more students slipping through the cracks, especially vulnerable youth who need more intensive oversight than a voluntary community board can offer. The bill goes too far in stripping away effective escalation routes against truancy. Accountability matters, especially for our youth — please register CON.
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Taxes
Investing in Washington families by restructuring the business and occupation tax on high grossing businesses and financial institutions.
Bill Summary
House Bill 2045 is another tax increase on businesses that hurts families. It’s advertised as a way to “invest in Washington families,” but in reality the bill damages the state’s economy by penalizing success and discouraging business investment. In turn, that hurts families by discouraging high-quality jobs that families need to survive and thrive. Specifically, this legislation imposes an additional 1% tax on businesses with over $250 million in taxable income, on top of what they already pay under Washington’s unique gross receipts tax system. The state’s Business & Occupation (B&O) tax is already one of the most burdensome in the country, taxing revenue instead of profits—even when businesses operate at a loss.
By layering new taxes on top of this flawed system, HB 2045 discourages large employers from expanding or even remaining in Washington. Companies that generate high revenue but operate on tight margins—like retailers, distributors, and tech firms—could face significant hardship under this change. It penalizes volume over profit, ignoring the realities of how different sectors operate. The bill also targets financial institutions with a steep tax hike from 1.2% to 1.9%, one of the highest such taxes in the nation. These institutions may pass the cost on to consumers in the form of higher fees, reduced credit access, or limited services—hurting everyday Washingtonians, not just banks.
In sum, this bill singles out a narrow class of employers, risks driving jobs and investment out of state, and lacks basic accountability. Citizens should oppose HB 2045 and call for tax cuts that encourage growth and prosperity for all businesses, not merely grow the size of government. Punishing success is not a sustainable way to support families or grow Washington’s economy.
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Taxes
Creating fairness in Washington’s tax by imposing a tax on select financial intangible assets.
Bill Summary
Here is another new tax. While proponents say it will tax “only the ultra-wealthy,” House Bill 2046 is in fact a tax that will hurt ordinary citizens, too. As Rep. Peter Abbarno (R) states in opposition to the bill: “While these taxes are marketed as targeting the wealthy, they have far-reaching consequences for employers who rely on capital investment to expand, innovate, and create jobs.” Though it may seem like a tax only on the ultra-wealthy, its implications reach far beyond that because it impacts job creation, which impacts families and ordinary citizens.
Specifically, the bill proposes an $8 per $1,000 tax—effectively a 0.8% annual wealth tax—on certain financial assets like publicly traded stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds held by Washington residents with over $50 million in such holdings. This new form of wealth taxation that punishes investment success. This could drive high-net-worth individuals and investors out of the state, taking with them capital, business activity, charitable contributions, and tax revenue. States that have embraced wealth taxes in the past, such as California and New York, have faced pushback and even out-migration as a result. High taxation incentivizes people to leave the state and reside in low-tax states such as Idaho or Texas. Citizens of Washington need to defend themselves against a greedy government aiming to increase its own size and pay for its own reckless spending. They can do so by rejecting HB 2046.
Bill Summary
House Bill 2047 eliminates the Employee Ownership Program—an initiative barely off the ground—that was created to help businesses transition to employee ownership models. Specifically, the program was designed to help business owners looking to retire, or close, or sell to out-of-state firms, by giving workers a chance to become owners themselves. In fact, the Employee Ownership Program is a pro-worker initiative that offers a powerful tool for preserving small businesses, retaining local jobs, and building long-term wealth for workers. Employee ownership—through models like Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), cooperatives, and employee ownership trusts—has been shown across the country to boost worker satisfaction, reduce layoffs, and build more resilient companies, especially during economic downturns.
In a time when small businesses are struggling to stay afloat and thousands of baby boomer business owners are retiring, Washington should be investing in innovative, community-rooted solutions, not scrapping them. HB 2047 throws away a promising effort that aligns with economic equity, local economic development, and job stability. Citizens should reject HB 2047 to preserve and build upon the Employee Ownership Program, which has the potential to transform how businesses are passed on and how workers build wealth in our state. Please register CON.
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Taxes
Investing in the state’s paramount duty to fund K-12 education and build strong and safe communities.
Bill Summary
House Bill 2049 is a direct attack against homeowners across our state. While it may be framed as an investment in K–12 education, in reality it represents a major property tax increase that places a heavy and lasting burden on Washington homeowners, renters, and small business owners. By changing the current 1% property tax growth limit to allow annual increases up to 3% based on inflation and population growth, this bill opens the door for aggressive and automatic property tax hikes—even when wages stagnate or the economy slows. This bill worsens a system that’s already pushing people out of their homes. HB 2049 “does not fix our broken system,” says Rep Jim Walsh (R). “It makes it worse. We need real reform—based on market value, not government greed.”
For working families, this could mean significantly higher tax bills with little to no guarantee of improved educational outcomes. The bill’s removal of key special education safeguards, including the enrollment funding cap and specific protections for high-need communities, also risks harming the very students it claims to support. Redirecting a flat 30% of basic education funds to special education, regardless of a student’s individual needs, may sound fair in theory—but it reduces flexibility for schools and could create funding shortfalls elsewhere.
In essence, HB 2049 offers no strong accountability for how increased revenues will be used, no assurance of better student performance, and no protections for property taxpayers who are already facing rising costs of living. Citizens should reject HB 2049 to prevent unchecked property tax growth and demand smarter, more equitable solutions that put fiscal responsibility and real educational improvements first.
Bill Summary
House Bill 2050 is a back-end budget trick that will harm schools, especially in rural communities. It modifies the monthly schedule by which the state distributes education funds to districts, redistributing payments in ways that could delay critical resources during the school year. For example, it reduces the amount of funding schools receive in key operational months such as February, March, and April, while pushing a larger chunk of funding to late summer (August)—a time when many schools are preparing to reopen and most annual expenses have already been incurred. This seemingly minor accounting change could create cash flow problems for districts, particularly smaller ones without large financial reserves. Schools rely on consistent, predictable funding to pay teachers, staff, and vendors. Altering the timeline—even slightly—could force them to take out short-term loans, pay interest, or delay critical purchases and repairs, all under the guise of “efficiency.”
Additionally, the bill tweaks the formula for Local Effort Assistance (LEA), which is a lifeline for districts with low property values. While it aligns terminology and formulas, it does not include significant new support for struggling districts—it merely adjusts existing definitions without expanding real aid, potentially complicating how districts forecast funding. HB 2050 also undermines budget transparency by making complex financial adjustments without addressing core funding issues, such as student enrollment volatility or rising special education costs. These cosmetic fixes do not solve the real funding gaps in public education but rather paper over them with timing tricks and formula tweaks.
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Health Care
Concerning payment to acute care hospitals for difficult to discharge medicaid patients.
Bill Summary
House Bill 2051 removes the requirement that hospitals be reimbursed for caring for Medicaid patients who no longer meet inpatient care criteria but have nowhere else to go—through no fault of the hospital or patient. This change shifts the financial burden of a broken care continuum entirely onto hospitals, which are already struggling with staffing shortages, rising costs, and uncompensated care. Currently, when a Medicaid patient is medically ready to leave the hospital but cannot be discharged due to the unavailability of a nursing home or residential care setting, hospitals receive an “administrative day rate” to cover the ongoing costs of housing and supporting that patient. HB 2051 eliminates that support. Without this reimbursement, hospitals are effectively asked to provide room, care coordination, and basic services for free, which is unsustainable.
The bill also removes the requirement for the state to reimburse hospitals for essential services such as dialysis, lab work, and imaging when provided during these extended stays. This could lead hospitals to delay or avoid providing necessary care during those non-acute days, which can endanger patient health and increase long-term costs through complications or readmissions. This policy threatens financially vulnerable hospitals, especially in rural and underserved areas, where Medicaid patients make up a significant portion of care. Hospitals may be forced to reduce services, limit Medicaid admissions, or close entirely—putting access to care at risk for everyone, not just those directly affected. Rather than addressing the root issue—a lack of transitional and long-term care capacity—HB 2051 punishes hospitals for system-wide failures outside their control. It risks creating bottlenecks in emergency rooms, prolonging patient suffering, and overwhelming already strained health systems.
Bill Summary
House Bill 2061 imposes a new 10 percent concession fee on all sales made by duty-free sales enterprises operating in Washington, effective January 1, 2026. Duty-free businesses are unique in that they operate under tightly regulated federal and international rules, and their purpose is to support international commerce and travel. This fee is levied in addition to existing taxes, including the retailing Business and Occupation (B&O) tax. Proceeds from this new charge would be split evenly between two state funds: the Statewide Tourism Marketing Account and the newly created Sustainable Aviation Fuel Account. While the bill is intended to raise revenue for environmental and tourism-related programs, it creates more harm than benefit by unfairly targeting a narrow industry segment that already contributes through regular taxation.
Imposing an additional 10 percent fee on gross sales, irrespective of profit margins, could make these businesses financially unsustainable. Unlike most retailers, duty-free operators already pay taxes like the B&O tax on their Washington-based operations despite selling goods meant for export. This new fee essentially punishes them for serving travelers and contributing to the state’s port and airport economy. Furthermore, this policy risks undermining Washington’s competitiveness as a travel hub. Passengers flying internationally from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport or other Washington ports may choose to shop in other states or countries with more favorable tax structures. That could lead to decreased economic activity in Washington’s travel and tourism sector—ironically, the very industry the bill claims to support through its tourism account.
Bill Summary
House Bill 2068 seeks to enhance public health and safety by prohibiting the sale of flavored tobacco and nicotine products, regulating retailers, and increasing taxes on tobacco products. The bill includes a ban on flavored tobacco and nicotine products, effective July 1, 2027, and the establishment of a statewide prevention campaign to educate the public about the dangers of these products. The bill also introduces definitions for flavored tobacco and nicotine products, alternative nicotine products, and entertainment vapor products, while updating the age restriction for tobacco sales to 21 years. Enforcement measures are strengthened, empowering the liquor and cannabis board to impose penalties on retailers who violate the new regulations.
Additionally, the bill amends existing laws regarding the taxation and regulation of vapor products and tobacco products, including an increase in application and renewal fees for distributor and retailer licenses to $1,000. It introduces a new tax of $2 per package of cigarettes, with adjustments based on the consumer price index, and establishes a tax rate of 95% on vapor products. The legislation also clarifies definitions related to tobacco products, mandates record-keeping for distributors, and outlines penalties for violations, including class C felonies and gross misdemeanors.
The focus on flavored vaping products is commendable as 88% of youth who vape use flavored products. Multiple studies link menthol and flavors to increased addiction, decreased quit rates and disproportionate impact on communities of color. Higher price has been shown to reduce consumption, especially among teens. Finally, these actions align with CDC and Surgeon General recommendations. Overall, the bill aims to strengthen the regulatory framework surrounding tobacco and vapor products, protect youth from addiction, and promote healthier communities.
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Taxes
Establishing a tax on certain business activities related to surpluses generated under the zero-emission vehicle program.
Bill Summary
House Bill 2077 introduces a tax on specific business activities related to surplus zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) credits under Washington’s zero-emission vehicle program. It aims to mitigate the financial benefits for manufacturers who exceed state-mandated clean vehicle quotas by imposing a two percent tax on the sale of ZEV credits, a ten percent tax on banked credits, and a fifty percent tax on pooled credits starting in model year 2025. Manufacturers with fewer than 25,000 credits will be exempt from these taxes. The revenue generated will be allocated to the electric vehicle incentive account and the state general fund, transitioning to the carbon emissions reduction account after June 30, 2027.
Furthermore, the bill establishes new definitions and reporting requirements for manufacturers regarding their ZEV credit activities, including tracking surplus credits and transactions. It mandates that manufacturers report specific details about credit sales and banking to the Department of Ecology, which will calculate the average ZEV credit price for tax purposes. The legislation also amends existing law to protect certain financial information related to ZEV credits from public disclosure, ensuring confidentiality for sensitive data. The bill applies to ZEV credits that are banked, sold, or pooled after its effective date and includes a severability clause to maintain the validity of remaining provisions if any part is found invalid. The act is deemed necessary for the immediate preservation of public peace, health, or safety, and takes effect immediately upon passage.
While intended to recapture “windfall profits,” this bill punishes innovation and early compliance with clean vehicle goals by heavily taxing credit banking, pooling, and sales—up to 50% in some cases. It creates financial uncertainty for manufacturers, potentially discouraging aggressive zero-emission investment and compliance beyond minimum requirements. The bill also introduces complex new reporting requirements, risks chilling credit market activity, and sets a precedent for retroactively taxing market-based incentive systems. Rather than promoting cleaner transportation, it may inadvertently slow progress by penalizing success.
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Taxes
Modifying business and occupation tax surcharges, rates and the advanced computing surcharge cap, clarifying the business and occupation tax deduction for certain investments, and creating a temporary business and occupation tax surcharge on large companies.
Bill Summary
House Bill 2081 targets large and high-revenue companies and seeks to raise additional revenue for public schools, higher education, health care, and social services by modifying Washington’s B&O tax structure. It raises existing tax rates, increases surcharges on large and high-income businesses, and adjusts caps and deductions to generate more state revenue. The increase in B&O tax rates applies to a wide range of sectors including R&D, insurance agents, broadcasting, cold storage, printing, financial institutions and airplane manufacturing.
While intended to raise revenue for public services, this legislation presents several concerns. HB 2081 raises B&O tax rates across many sectors and adds a new surcharge on companies with taxable income over $250 million. These increases may lead to higher operating costs, discourage investment, and ultimately result in higher prices for consumers. Raising the Advanced Computing Surcharge (ACS) from 1.22% to 5%, and increasing its cap from $9 million to $50 million, may deter growth and expansion of technology and innovation firms in the state. This could make Washington less attractive to large employers, particularly in high-tech industries. Furthermore, the new 0.5% surcharge on income above $250 million targets businesses based solely on revenue, not profit margins, which may unfairly penalize high-volume, low-margin enterprises. This risks undermining stable employers who provide a large number of jobs and contribute significantly to the state economy. Those businesses facing increased tax burdens may respond by reducing hiring, cutting wages, scaling back benefits, or relocating operations out of state—especially in highly mobile sectors like advanced computing and finance.
Additionally, the bill applies flat increases without fully considering the diversity of business models or financial resilience among affected firms. This one-size-fits-all approach could disproportionately impact smaller subsidiaries or in-state divisions of larger corporate groups. With economic recovery still uneven and inflation affecting operating costs, raising business taxes now could dampen economic growth and slow job creation across sectors. In summary, HB 2081 risks destabilizing key industries, weakening Washington’s business climate, and harming the very workforce and services it intends to support. A more targeted and balanced fiscal approach would better serve long-term economic and social goals. Please oppose this misguided bill.
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Taxes
Increasing funding for K-12, health care, and public safety by repealing or modifying tax preferences for certain industries and goods.
Bill Summary
House Bill 2084 aims to increase funding for K-12 education, health care, and public safety by modifying or repealing certain tax preferences for specific industries and goods. Key provisions include the repeal of an RCW, which previously excluded the sale of precious metal bullion and monetized bullion from tax computations. Additionally, a new section is added that establishes a tax rate for individuals renting or leasing storage space, with a standard rate of 1.75% and a reduced rate of 1.5% for those with gross income under $1,000,000. The bill also amends existing laws related to the taxation of prescription drugs, increasing the tax rate from 0.138% to 0.484% for businesses engaged in warehousing and reselling drugs for human use.
This bill is another in a long line of tax bills that Democrats are pulling out of the hat in the last days of the Legislative Session. By removing tax exemptions for precious metals and bullion, it harms investors and small dealers who view these assets as financial security or inflation hedges. It imposes B&O taxes on self-storage rentals, increasing costs for individuals and small businesses that rely on affordable storage. Finally, by eliminating the preferential tax rate for prescription drug warehousing, it will raise healthcare supply chain costs and indirectly affect drug pricing. This legislation represents a broad expansion of state taxation under the guise of revenue generation, placing additional financial pressure on consumers and niche industries without adequate justification. Please oppose this bill.
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Elections
Requesting that the Attorney General of the United States audit and review the state department of licensing’s implementation of the “motor voter law”.
Bill Summary
Concerned about the accuracy of Washington’s voter registration system, Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, has introduced House Joint Memorial 4007, calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to audit and review the Washington State Department of Licensing’s implementation of the state’s voter registration laws. If approved, HJM 4007 would request that the President and U.S. Attorney General review how voter registration is managed when individuals obtain a driver’s license or state ID. Under Washington’s motor voter law, which is part of the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993—also known as the “Motor Voter Act”—individuals can register to vote when applying for or renewing a driver’s license or ID. In 2018, Washington expanded this system by passing the Automatic Voter Registration Act, requiring certain state agencies, including the DOL, to automatically register individuals to vote unless they opt out.
Washington operates as an all-mail-in voting state, meaning the accuracy of the voter registration database is critical to maintaining fair and secure elections. Under the current system, the DOL, the Secretary of State’s Office, and local election officials share responsibility for verifying and maintaining voter rolls. However, conflicting reports from these agencies about voter registration procedures have raised questions about whether proper safeguards are in place to prevent errors. While these policies are meant to streamline voter registration, concerns have been raised that the current system does not do enough to verify whether an individual is eligible to vote before being added to the voter rolls. HJM 4007 seeks to ensure that voter registration is handled securely and complies with both state and federal laws and also requests that, if any issues are identified, the U.S. Department of Justice provide recommendations for corrective actions to bring Washington’s voter registration system into full compliance with the law. If approved by the Legislature, HJM 4007 will be transmitted to the President, the U.S. Attorney General, congressional leadership, and each member of Washington’s congressional delegation.
“Election integrity is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy,” Walsh stated. “The people of Washington deserve confidence that our voter registration system is secure and functioning as intended. This review is about ensuring accountability, accuracy, and transparency in our elections,” Walsh added. “An audit of how voter registrations are processed will provide clarity and help ensure that we are following both state and federal election laws correctly.”
Bill Summary
House Joint Resolution 4200 proposes an amendment to Washington State’s constitution regarding taxation and addresses issues of tax fairness and uniformity. The constitution mandates uniform taxation, with limitations on levy rates (a maximum of 1% of assessed value) and exceptions for certain entities. This bipartisan amendment would clarify the definition of “property” subject to taxation, allowing for exemptions of certain personal property and specifying that taxes must be uniform within the same property class. Furthermore, the resolution also details the allocation of tax revenue and clarifies the existing personal property tax exemption. It proposes to increase the personal property tax exemption from $15,000 to $50,000 per household, removing the previous “head of family” restriction. The resolution also mandates publication of the proposed amendment prior to a statewide vote. Please support this proposed resolution.
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Education
Amending the Constitution to allow a majority of voters voting to authorize school district bonds.
Bill Summary
House Joint Resolution 4201 proposes a Washington state constitutional amendment. The Democrat-sponsored amendment aims to simplify the voting requirements for school districts to levy taxes and issue bonds, requiring only a simple majority rather than a supermajority. Specific limitations on property tax levies are outlined, along with exceptions for certain purposes like bond repayment and emergency situations. The resolution also mandates public notice of the proposed amendment before the election.
As public school testing scores continue to plummet, more and more citizens have seen the futility of investing ever-greater amounts of money into a failing product. Historic approval rates for increased school levies and bonds are a thing of the past; so, rather than improve the quality-level of our children’s education, Democrats simply want to ‘lower the bar’ as a means to more money. Let’s not let that happen. Please reject this resolution.