Essential information on each bill is below. For more details, click on the bill number – e.g., “SB 5000.” 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
Bill Summary
This bill is another in a long line of proposed legislation attempting to make permanent either Daylight Saving Time (DST) or Pacific Standard Time (PST). A similar bill this past Session was not passed. It is encouraging to note this new bill has bipartisan support with Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview and Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond working together to implement permanent Pacific Standard Time.
Approval from the U.S. Congress is required if a state wants to make DST permanent; however, changing to permanent standard time does not require federal approval. Legislators will still be required to work in cooperation with neighboring states to keep the region on the same time schedule.
It appears there are some strong arguments for keeping Washingtonians on permanent Pacific Standard Time from a health and sleep perspective; and yet, experts enamored with DST make a case for their preference based upon safety, more sunlight into the evenings, and energy considerations.
The greatest consensus is that switching our time schedule twice each year is not popular, and this bill would bring an end to this on-going Spring-Fall debacle.
Bill Summary
Bill Summary
Washington State Senate Bill 5003 proposes establishing a grant program to enhance K-12 school security. The program, managed by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, will fund projects improving physical security, such as entrance upgrades and fencing. Eligible applicants are public school districts, with a maximum grant award of $2,000,000 per district biennium. The bill mandates annual progress reports to the legislature detailing applications and funded projects. Funding is contingent upon legislative appropriation.
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Education
Updating emergency response systems in public schools including panic or alert buttons.
Bill Summary
Washington State Senate Bill 5004 mandates the implementation of enhanced emergency response systems in public schools. These systems must include features such as panic buttons, live audio and video feeds to law enforcement, and remote door access. School districts are required to collaborate with law enforcement to develop these systems and submit progress reports by October 1, 2025. A final report on system implementation will be submitted to the legislature by December 1, 2025. The bill aims to improve school safety and expedite emergency response times.
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Education
Supporting students who are chronically absent and at risk for not graduating high school.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5007 is focused on supporting students who are chronically absent and at risk of not graduating high school. Students are considered “chronically absent” if they miss 10% or more of their school days for any reason. The Senate unanimously passed a version of this proposal during the 2024 legislative session; however, the House Budget Committee sidelined it.
The argument for this bill remains unchanged: You can’t teach kids who aren’t in the classroom, and absenteeism has become a major barrier to ensuring all students receive the education they deserve. Students who are struggling to perform academically at grade level are at risk of falling so far behind their class that they are at risk of not graduating. SB 5007 would provide necessary supports for school districts to engage with families and help students overcome barriers to attendance. Depending on the needs identified by the district, this support might include connecting families to resources for food, clothing, transportation, or other economic challenges; offering additional academic assistance; or addressing health or behavioral-health concerns.
There are conservative grassroots organizations opposed to this bill, based partly upon the “necessary supports” mentioned in SB 5007, such as connecting chronically absent students with behavioral-health services, or seeing that they are fed and clothed appropriately. However, this wayward opposition assumes that all parents in Washington State are present, accountable and conservative-minded. It also assumes that every parent has their child’s best interest at heart, including graduating on time. Sadly, in too many cases, this is not the case. Consider for a moment that the parents of chronically absent students may themselves be absent, financially challenged, addicted to alcohol and/or drugs — or they may have simply run out of ideas for addressing their child’s chronic absenteeism. In those cases, an assist from the school may be welcomed by the student. It is more efficient and more compassionate to assist a struggling student onto a more productive path now, than cope with a struggling adult in the years ahead. Furthermore, this bill would not require that certain services be provided, nor does it authorize schools to provide any health services. Instead, it is about ensuring families and local school districts retain control over what works best for their students.
This bill has bipartisan support as the Democratic chair of the Senate Education Committee, Sen. Wellman, as co-sponsored the legislation. Sen. Braun states, “As a strong supporter of parental rights who has heard horror stories about parents being undermined by school staff members, I would not have filed this bill if I thought it would create new opportunities” for such parental interference, “but to do nothing is unacceptable.” Chronic absenteeism is a complex issue that affects every student’s right to an education. This bill strikes a balance, respecting local and parental authority while ensuring schools have the tools to reengage students and help them succeed.
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Education
Supporting the use of assessment, diagnostic and learning tools in public schools.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5008 proposes a temporary grant program in Washington State to fund the purchase and implementation of assessment, diagnostic, and learning tools in K-12 math and English language arts. The bill aims to support schools in using these tools to identify individual student needs and monitor progress. The program requires applicants to detail their plans for using the funding and providing staff training. Grant allocation will consider need and geographic distribution, with annual reports on program outcomes mandated. Existing state law already requires the superintendent to provide such tools and training, making this bill an expansion of existing efforts. The program is set to expire in 2028.
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Education
Modifying the student transportation allocation to accommodate multiple vehicle types for transporting students.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5009 modifies Washington state law regarding student transportation funding and vehicle types. The bill amends several sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), aiming to provide more flexibility in how school districts transport students while ensuring safety and cost-effectiveness. Key changes include altering funding formulas, allowing for diverse vehicle use (including vans and district-owned cars), and establishing clearer reporting requirements for districts. The bill also addresses vehicle specifications and driver qualifications, promoting a more streamlined and efficient student transportation system.
Bill Summary
Washington State Senate Bill 5010 establishes a grant program administered by the Secretary of State. The program funds the purchase and installation of security cameras at ballot drop boxes. Only county auditors and elections directors can apply. Funding is strictly limited to camera acquisition and setup; operational expenses are excluded. The act adds a new section to chapter 29A.04 RCW to formalize this program. This legislation aims to enhance election security.
Bill Summary
Washington State Senate Bill 5011, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, mandates specific procedures for handling ballot drop boxes. Key requirements include preventing overflow, a two-person ballot retrieval process with detailed record-keeping, secure transportation, and a minimum number of drop boxes based on population and tribal needs. The bill also requires clear labeling on each box, stating ownership and warning against tampering. Finally, it allows federally recognized tribes to designate ballot collection locations.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5012, sponsored by Sen. Phil Fotunato, R-Auburn, proposes amending Washington state law to mandate the organization of interscholastic and intercollegiate athletics based on sex chromosomes and gender identity, creating five categories for participation. The bill grants students and institutions of higher education private causes of action for violations, including monetary damages and legal fees. Existing authority for school districts and institutions of higher education to regulate athletics is also modified to align with these new categorical requirements, with exceptions for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Finally, the bill prevents entities from penalizing schools or colleges for adhering to its provisions.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5014 is a strong, proactive step toward protecting the integrity of Washington’s elections in an increasingly digital age. The bill enhances election security by expanding the Secretary of State’s authority to approve not only voting machines and tallying systems, but also any digital platform used to assist voters—such as those used for ballot issuance or identity verification. This ensures that all technology involved in the voting process is secure, trustworthy, and held to the highest standards.
Additionally, SB 5014 introduces clear requirements for disclosing any security breaches. If a company supporting the state’s voter registration system or official voter list experiences a breach that could compromise an election or expose personal data, they must immediately inform both the Secretary of State and the Attorney General. This level of transparency is crucial to maintaining public trust. Perhaps most importantly, the bill mandates that all county auditors implement a suite of robust cybersecurity practices. These include isolating voting systems from external networks, using secure data transfer protocols, and maintaining constant network monitoring. Counties will also be required to use “.gov” domains and adhere to strict data handling rules. In a time when election interference and cyber threats are real concerns, this bill helps Washington protect its election integrity.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5023 seeks to enhance labor market protections for domestic workers in Washington, addressing their historical exclusion from fundamental labor rights. It establishes comprehensive guarantees related to health, safety, and wage protections, including provisions for meal and rest breaks, sick time, and safeguards against discrimination and harassment. The legislation outlines the rights and responsibilities of both parties, including wage payment requirements and the necessity for written employment agreements and establishes penalties for violations, ensuring that domestic workers are protected from retaliation for exercising their rights. Additionally, the bill introduces gender-neutral and gender identity language and expands the definition of “employer” to include those employing individuals for domestic services.
This bill imposes significant requirements on individuals who employ domestic workers in their private homes, such as mandating minimum wage, paid sick leave, meal and rest breaks, and written agreements. For many families, especially those hiring domestic workers on a part-time or irregular basis, these new obligations will be burdensome and disproportionately costly. Small household employers may struggle with the financial and administrative responsibilities associated with these requirements, such as keeping detailed records and complying with complex regulations. Furthermore, these standardized protections will make it more difficult for families to hire domestic workers for short-term or flexible jobs, such as babysitting, house cleaning, or gardening. This could lead to a reduction in opportunities for workers who prefer flexible, non-traditional work arrangements.
The bill will blur the lines between independent contractors and employees, particularly as many domestic workers are hired as independent contractors. By reclassifying certain workers as employees, it may significantly reduce their autonomy and ability to negotiate pay and working conditions. Enforcing workers’ compensation and liability laws for domestic workers will complicate the hiring process for many, especially for those who work in multiple households or for multiple employers. Additionally, the legislation will undoubtedly lead to an increase in legal disputes between domestic workers and employers, placing an unnecessary strain on both parties. Small employers might be particularly vulnerable to costly lawsuits and penalties for minor infractions, even if the violation was unintentional or due to a lack of understanding of the law’s complexities.
While the bill seeks to address abuses in the domestic workforce, such as wage intimidation or unsafe working conditions, it may not effectively address the root causes. Many of these issues stem from broader social or economic problems, such as insufficient worker training, lack of access to legal resources, and the informality of domestic work. More targeted initiatives, such as improved education, outreach programs, and better access to legal aid would be more effective in tackling these challenges without imposing heavy regulatory burdens on employers.
Bill Summary
SB 5026, sponsored by Senator Curtis King, R-Yakima, would increase the percentage of vehicle sales taxes – which has been collected since 2003 – devoted to the transportation budget from only .03% by 16.66% every year until it reaches 100% in 2031. The vast majority of revenue currently goes to the general fund.
The proposed legislation would generate $350–$400 million in the first year, $700–$800 million in the second year and $1.2 billion by the third year. By the sixth year, 100% of the tax revenue would be returning to the transportation budget.
The state gas tax has been steadily declining since 2020, partly due to more fuel-efficient vehicles and an increase in electric cars. Transportation revenue has been depleted due to other budget priorities. Sen. King believes it is time for state budgets to be reorganized. This bill states that a percentage of vehicle sales taxes would be dedicated to transportation funding, which would generate far more revenue for transportation projects.
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Education
Establishing a loan repayment program for public defense attorneys and prosecutors.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5027 establishes a law school loan repayment program specifically for public defenders and prosecutors in Washington State, aimed at alleviating the financial burden of educational loans for attorneys working in these critical roles. To qualify, applicants must be licensed attorneys practicing full-time in public defense or prosecution, with a commitment to maintain their positions for at least three years. The program offers a minimum of $20,000 per year in loan repayment assistance for up to three years, with the possibility of extension, and sets a cap of $120,000 in total assistance. Participants must adhere to specific service obligations and report any changes in employment status, with provisions for repayment if they do not fulfill their commitments.
Additionally, the bill creates a dedicated account for the loan repayment program, where all appropriated funds and other contributions will be deposited. Expenditures from this account are restricted to the loan repayment program, and only authorized personnel may approve these expenditures. The legislation prioritizes funding for public defenders and prosecutors in rural areas if resources are limited, ensuring that those serving in underserved communities receive support.
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Education
Improving access to educational services by reducing barriers to obtaining vital records and allowing alternative forms of documentation.
Bill Summary
SB 5030 is a bill involving the nation’s immigration crisis and its impact upon our public schools. Unfortunately, this bill opens the door to serious concerns around identity verification, documentation integrity, and administrative burden primarily in two ways.
First is the bill’s provision that requires public schools and early learning programs to accept a wide array of alternative documents—such as a note from a physician, a family Bible entry, or even a parent affidavit—as valid proof of a child’s age or identity. In this day and age of sex trafficking and parental kidnapping cases, it is important to have valid ID for the child.
This bill creates loopholes, and we need to be mindful of the precedent this sets. If we begin relaxing documentation requirements in early childhood programs and public schools, it opens the door to broader efforts to weaken ID standards in other policy areas—such as public benefits, voter registration, and even driver’s licenses. Practical examples from states around the nation demonstrate the negative consequences when identification standards of citizenship are compromised and lowered. As a norm, the public schools are paid for by citizens, and they are intended to be a service to citizens of the United States, not to illegals. Documenting citizenship is not too much to ask.
Second, the bill proposes waiving the $25 fee for birth certificates for families on food assistance enrolling children in public school or early learning programs. While this may seem helpful on the surface, the financial benefit is minor compared to the potential cost to record accuracy, citizenship integrity, and school system security. Proponents argue that the $25 fee for a birth certificate is a significant barrier. But in practice, this is a one-time cost that could be better addressed through a targeted, limited subsidy or voucher system without undermining identification protocols. Please uphold and defend the integrity of American citizenship and register CON against this bill.
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Safety
Expanding the duties of the office of the family and children’s ombudsman to include juvenile rehabilitation facilities operated by the Department of Children, Youth and Families.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5032 aims to expand the responsibilities of the Office of the Family and Children’s Ombuds to include oversight of juvenile rehabilitation facilities operated by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). The ombuds will now be tasked with monitoring compliance with laws and policies related to family, youth, and children’s services, as well as ensuring the treatment and supervision of individuals in state care, including those in juvenile rehabilitation facilities.
Additionally, the bill outlines specific duties for the ombuds, such as providing information on rights and responsibilities, investigating complaints against the DCYF, and monitoring the procedures and facilities serving children and youth. The ombuds will have the authority to access relevant records and communicate privately with individuals in the custody of the DCYF. The amendments also clarify definitions related to “child, youth, or individual” to include those receiving services from the DCYF, thereby enhancing the ombuds’ ability to fulfill its oversight role effectively. The bill has overwhelming bipartisan support.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5033 addresses the sampling and testing of biosolids (municipal sewage sludge) for PFAS chemicals, which are known as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment. The bill requires the Washington State Department of Ecology to establish PFAS chemical sampling and testing requirements for biosolids by July 1, 2027, and complete a comprehensive analysis of PFAS levels in Washington state’s biosolids by July 1, 2028. By December 1, 2028, the department must submit a report to the legislature with a summary of the analysis and recommendations for future action.
To ensure a collaborative approach, the bill mandates the creation of an advisory committee comprising representatives from farming, utilities, toxicologists, and other stakeholders to provide input on the sampling and testing requirements. The bill also updates definitions, clarifies the purpose of biosolids management, and ensures that the department’s rules align with federal regulations. Additionally, the bill preserves existing permit requirements and does not restrict local governments from addressing PFAS contamination in biosolids. The legislation aims to balance the beneficial reuse of municipal sewage sludge with protecting public health and the environment from potential PFAS contamination.
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Environment
Strengthening Washington’s leadership and accountability on climate policy by transitioning to annual reporting of statewide emissions data.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5036 aims to strengthen Washington’s climate policy leadership through enhanced accountability and annual emissions reporting of statewide greenhouse gas data. The bill amends existing laws to ensure consistent tracking and reporting, which is essential for achieving the emission reductions goals. It sets specific emission reduction targets for the state through 2050, alongside a goal of achieving net-zero emissions. The legislation intends for Washington to participate in a regional market-based system, recognizing the state’s unique position in energy conservation and environmental stewardship, and it seeks to ensure that the state continues to lead in climate change policy through accountability measures.. The revenues generated by any market system will be used to further these goals and support clean energy initiatives. Annual reports will be due each year starting in 2026, detailing greenhouse gas emissions, including those from wildfires.
Key amendments include the establishment of specific emission reduction targets for the years 2030, 2040, and 2050, with updated metrics for these goals. Additionally, the reporting frequency is changed to every year starting in 2026, rather than every two years, to ensure timely tracking of progress. The bill also clarifies that emissions from certain biomass sources will not be classified as greenhouse gases, provided that the region’s silvicultural sequestration capacity is maintained or increased.
Bill Summary
Sen. Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond, 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. Senate Bill 5038 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.
Dhingra 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.
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Safety
Expanding the definition of uniformed personnel to all law enforcement officers employed by a city, town, county, or governing body of a municipal airport operating under the provisions of chapter 14.08 RCW.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5040 seeks to expand the definition of “uniformed personnel” to include all law enforcement officers employed by the governing bodies of cities, towns, counties, and municipal airports. Specifically, it removes the previous population requirements for cities and counties, which stipulated that only law enforcement officers from cities with a population of 2,500 or more and counties with a population of 10,000 or more were included. The new language explicitly includes law enforcement officers from municipal airports, thereby broadening the scope of personnel recognized under this classification. This legislative change aims to enhance the collective bargaining rights and protections for a wider range of uniformed personnel in Washington State.
Expanding the definition of “uniformed personnel” to include all law enforcement officers employed by cities, towns, counties, or municipal airports could lead to unintended consequences. This change will likely create an unnecessary expansion of collective bargaining rights, which may increase costs for local governments and create logistical challenges in negotiating with a larger group of employees under the same framework. Additionally, the broadening of the scope could dilute the distinction between different types of law enforcement personnel, making it harder to tailor specific policies, benefits, and duties for different roles within the law enforcement community.
Bill Summary
SB 5041 seeks to alter unemployment insurance benefits for workers involved in strikes or lockouts. It incentivizes going on strike because it would allow workers who become unemployed due to participating in a strike to receive unemployment insurance benefits after a specific disqualification period and waiting week. The bill stipulates that if a strike is not later ruled illegal, the disqualification ends either on the second Sunday following the strike’s start or when the strike ends, whichever comes first. It further removes the disqualification for workers locked out in multi-employer bargaining units, effectively broadening eligibility for benefits. By easing these restrictions, the legislation rewards labor actions by ensuring a safety net for striking or lockout workers.
Elizabeth New of the Washington Policy Center testified against this bill: “Unemployment insurance is meant for workers who lose jobs through no fault of their own and who are ready and looking for work. Jeopardizing the fund is irresponsible. This bill is a favor to unions at the expense of some unionized workers, non-union employees, employers, and consumers. Washington is already one of the most difficult places to run a business. Don’t make it harder.”
This change risks encouraging strikes by reducing the financial consequences workers might face when they disrupt operations. It also undermines the discipline of the current unemployment insurance benefits system, which was designed to deter avoidable labor disruptions. Moreover, employers may see higher costs imposed on their experience rating accounts, potentially affecting wages and job security for all employees. The bill introduces a loophole that could lead to more frequent and potentially frivolous strike actions, destabilizing local economies. It diminishes accountability by protecting workers financially even when their actions contribute to broader economic disruptions. Additionally, it shifts the financial burden of these benefits to employers and taxpayers alike.
The proposed adjustments could create an imbalance in labor negotiations, favoring workers at the expense of business sustainability. There is a significant risk that these changes will encourage reckless labor practices, harming productivity and market stability. The uncertainty about the legal status of strikes under this bill further complicates matters and may lead to costly legal disputes. For these reasons, voting against SB 5041 is the prudent choice to protect both economic stability and the integrity of our unemployment insurance system.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5049 amends RCW 42.56.140 to enhance the accountability of the Public Records Exemptions Accountability Committee, which is tasked with reviewing exemptions from public disclosure. The committee will consist of thirteen members appointed by various state officials, including the governor, attorney general, and legislative leaders, with a focus on diversity in viewpoint and geography. The bill specifies that the committee must meet at least four times a year, a change from the previous requirement of meeting once a quarter, and mandates that all meetings be open to the public.
Furthermore, the bill introduces new provisions that make committee members subject to the regulations outlined in chapter 42.52 RCW, which pertains to the ethics in public service. The committee will review exemptions to public disclosure laws, develop review criteria and then provide recommendations on whether each public disclosure exemption should be continued, modified, scheduled for sunset review, or terminated, with these recommendations to be submitted annually to the governor, attorney general, and relevant legislative committees. Funding and travel reimbursement for committee members are also detailed.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5050 proposes amending election procedures to enhance voter privacy. The bill addresses concerns about the visibility of party selections on primary ballot envelopes. Its core aim is to conceal party preferences until the ballot is opened, thereby protecting the secrecy of the vote. This is achieved by mandating the placement of party declarations inside the envelope and including a prominent reminder about the requirement. The legislature’s findings highlight voter anxieties regarding the exposure of their party affiliation and its potential impact on their candidate choice.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5053 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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Taxes
Providing tax exemption 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
Senate Bill 5055 aims to promote agritourism in Washington. It specifies that agricultural buildings utilized for agritourism activities will not be required to adhere to the building code standards typically applicable to commercial building permits. However, these buildings must still comply with all life and fire safety requirements if they are used for agritourism activities for six months or less each year.
By easing the building code requirements for agricultural structures engaged in agritourism, the bill seeks to encourage the growth of this sector, making it more accessible for farmers and landowners to host agritourism events without the burden of extensive commercial building regulations. This legislative change is intended to foster economic development in rural areas while ensuring safety standards are maintained.
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Environment
Implementing strategies to achieve higher recycling rates within Washington’s existing solid waste management system.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5058 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
Senate Bill 5060 proposes a Washington state law creating a grant program to aid local and tribal law enforcement agencies in hiring new officers. This bi-partisan 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.
Bill Summary
At the request of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, Sen. John Lovick, D-Mill Creek has introduced a bipartisan Senate Bill 5067 aimed at reducing the acceptable blood alcohol level for driving under the influence from .08% to .05%. This bill was initially introduced in 2023 and appeared again in 2024. Both times it received significant opposition from organizations that sell liquor by the drink and died on the Senate floor.
A 180 pound adult will typically be near the .05% blood alcohol level after two alcoholic beverages. FPIW strongly supports this bill.
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Safety
Concerning agencies, firefighters, prosecutors, and general or limited authority law enforcement, extending eligibility for employment to all United States citizens or persons legally authorized to work in the United States under Federal Law.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5068 states that applicants for limited law enforcement agencies, firefighters, prosecutors and civil service roles will no longer be required to be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. Instead, they must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law. This bill will open these jobs to DACA recipients and other non-citizens. Applicants must still meet existing qualifications such as being of suitable age, good health and English proficiency.
Law enforcement officers, prosecutors and others hold positions of public trust and should be U.S. citizens to ensure full allegiance to our country and eliminate concerns about divided loyalties. U.S. citizenship has historically been required for these positions due to the sensitive nature of their duties, including access to classified information, national security natters and criminal investigations. In addition, the bill could create legal conflicts with federal statutes. For example, federal law prohibits certain non-citizens from owning or possessing firearms, which could create legal ambiguity for non-citizen police officers or corrections officers. The bill could also lead to lawsuits challenging its constitutionality or conflicts with federal immigration and employment law. Furthermore, ICE and DHS may have restrictions on working with non-citizen officers, which could complicate local and state law enforcement cooperation.
Expanding eligibility to more non-citizens may require more complex background investigations, including checks for work authorization, criminal history in other countries and verification of legal status. Finally, citizenship should come with specific rights and privileges, including eligibility for certain public service jobs, and this bill weakens those distinctions and could lead to further weakening of standards in other government jobs.
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Taxes
Concerning prohibiting fees on certain acts of commerce to protect tipped wages for workers while reducing the financial burden on employers.
Bill Summary
In Washington State it is currently legal for a tipped employee to have 2-4% of credit card tips withheld by their employer to cover the costs associated with processing the credit card. Only when a merchant pays with cash can this charge be avoided. No amount of a tip should be taken from an employee to cover the businesses operating expenses.
Senate Bill 5070 aims to protect tipped wages for workers and alleviate financial burdens on employers by prohibiting fees on tips and gratuities collected through electronic payment transactions. It establishes that issuers, payment card networks, banks, and processors cannot charge merchants fees on the tax or gratuity amounts if the merchant provides this data during the authorization or payment process. Additionally, if a merchant fails to transmit this data, they can submit tax documentation within 180 days to receive a credit for the fees charged.
Furthermore, the bill amends existing laws regarding minimum wage, ensuring that employers must pay employees all tips and gratuities in full without deductions for fees. It specifies that tips and service charges are in addition to the employee’s hourly minimum wage. Violations of the new provisions can result in civil penalties of $1,000 per transaction. Unfortunately, if passed, the act will not take effect until July 1, 2026.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5075 is a strongly supported bipartisan bill. It is a step toward making prenatal and postnatal care more accessible and affordable for families across Washington. The bill prohibits health plans from imposing cost-sharing requirements, meaning expectant mothers will no longer face high out-of-pocket expenses for essential maternity services. This includes office visits, ultrasounds, prenatal screenings, lab work, prescriptions, lactation support, counseling, and post-C-section care. By eliminating financial barriers, this bill ensures that all mothers receive the necessary medical attention before, during, and after childbirth, reducing the risk of complications. Studies show that consistent and early prenatal care leads to healthier pregnancies and better birth outcomes, ultimately lowering overall healthcare costs.
The bill covers a full prenatal period of 270 days before delivery and a postnatal period extending 12 months after childbirth, ensuring comprehensive support for both mother and baby. The minimal increase in health insurance premiums—estimated at just a few cents to a dollar per month—pales in comparison to the life-saving benefits this bill provides. Additionally, SB 5075 ensures that health savings account (HSA) plans maintain their tax-exempt status, protecting financial flexibility for families. The bill supports working families, public employees, and underserved communities by ensuring equal access to care regardless of income. Health plans already cover maternity care, but copays and deductibles create obstacles that disproportionately impact low- and middle-income families. By passing this bill, Washington will join other states in leading the charge for maternal health equity.
Finally, some observers consider bills such as SB 5075 to be a ‘back-door’ pro-life bill. This type of coverage eliminates one more reason why a single mother facing a crisis pregnancy might choose abortion over life. This is how we ultimately make abortion ‘unthinkable’ without having to legislate life in a state that is currently abortion focused.
Bill Summary
Sen. Javier Valdez, D-Seattle and Sen. Marcus Riccelli, D-Spokane have prefiled SB 5077. The bill is intended to automatically register voters via multiple government interactions.
As the bill is written, the governor (a Democrat) and the Secretary of State (a Democrat) collaborate on which agencies will implement ‘automatic voter registration’. Ultimately, the final decision is at the governor’s sole discretion. Individuals applying for health benefits will be automatically registered. Colleges may automatically register voters during course registration. The Department of Corrections will facilitate voter registration. Additionally, online voter registration will be expanded to include electronic signatures.
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Health Care
Addressing the burden of unintentional overpayments on older adults and adults with disabilities served by the Department of Social and Health Services.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5079 aims to improve the quality of life and alleviate the financial burden of unintentional overpayments on older adults and individuals with disabilities who receive services from the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). It establishes new timeframes for the collection of overpayments and debts, specifying that no collections will occur after ten years from the notice of overpayment, unless a court remedy extends this period. Additionally, the bill sets a twenty-year limit for the collection of debts related to recorded liens. The DSHS is also granted the authority to accept compromise offers on disputed claims and to waive collection efforts under certain conditions.
Significantly, the bill introduces provisions that allow the DSHS to waive all collection efforts for overpayments related to the Aged, Blind, or Disabled Cash Assistance Programs, as well as clients receiving services through Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports Program and the Developmental Disability Administration Program starting July 1, 2025. The department is required to adopt rules outlining the circumstances under which these waivers will be applied. There were 73 such overpayments in the last fiscal year, with the agency collecting 25 percent of them. Costs of recovery have outpaced what is actually collected.
“This legislation is about fairness and compassion,” Muzzall, R-Oak Harbor said. “Many of our most vulnerable citizens face undue hardship when asked to repay funds they received through no fault of their own. By allowing DSHS to waive these repayments, we’re ensuring they can maintain their dignity and financial stability.”
Bill Summary
SB 5080 is a 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, the half-credit requirement has been removed. 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.
As they’re leaving high school, every graduate 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. A bill passed in 2022 required Washington’s 295 public school districts to adopt one or more financial education goals by March 1, 2023. This bill goes further, requiring financial education for every student as a condition of graduation.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5091 aims to amend Washington’s motor vehicle emission standards by establishing a more flexible approach that does not require the adoption of California’s emission standards. It mandates the Department of Ecology to create rules for motor vehicle emission standards that align with the federal Clean Air Act, while explicitly prohibiting the adoption of California’s standards. Additionally, the bill updates existing regulations regarding vehicle registration and emissions testing, including changes to the validation period for compliance certificates and the criteria for vehicle exemptions from emission tests.
Furthermore, the bill repeals the previous requirement for the Department of Ecology to adopt California’s motor vehicle emission standards, thereby allowing Washington to tailor its approach to emissions in a way that better suits its unique needs and economy. The amendments also clarify the conditions under which vehicles can be registered, emphasizing compliance with state emission standards without the necessity of California certification. Overall, the legislation reflects a shift towards a more localized strategy for managing vehicle emissions in Washington.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5093 reportedly aims to enhance the dignity and respect afforded to individuals experiencing pregnancy loss in Washington State. It suggests that individuals should be able to seek medical assistance without the fear of civil or criminal liability, addressing concerns related to legal provisions that could lead to investigations of certain abortions and pregnancy losses. The bill clarifies that the removal of these provisions does not affect the requirements for reporting births or deaths, including fetal deaths, nor does it impede coroners’ ability to investigate deaths under suspicious circumstances, provided such investigations do not criminalize the individuals who experienced the loss.
Disturbingly, the bill does remove explicit language that allows investigations into deaths resulting from known or suspected abortions, premature birth, or stillbirths. As a result, this restricts the ability of medical examiners and coroners to thoroughly investigate cases where coercion, abuse, or medical malpractice may have played a role in pregnancy loss. Removing legal provisions for investigating pregnancy loss could decrease accountability in cases of medical negligence or illegal abortion procedures. Furthermore, while the bill mandates reporting pregnancy loss in correctional institutions, it does not extend this reporting requirement to other settings, which reduces overall transparency in maternal health outcomes. Those of us with strong pro-life views oppose any legal changes that could be perceived as reducing state oversight of abortion-related matters, even if the bill is framed around dignity in pregnancy loss. Please oppose this legislation.
Bill Summary
Rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have enabled users to easily create or alter images in a realistic manner, resulting in the widespread proliferation of fabricated depictions that are virtually indistinguishable from authentic images. AI and other digital tools are increasingly capable of generating realistic images of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. In addition, AI has introduced significant barriers to the detection and prosecution of crimes involving depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Even where a fabricated depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct does not depict an identifiable victim, exposure to such material may nonetheless desensitize the creator and viewers to the sexual exploitation and abuse of minors, distort perceptions of healthy sexuality and relationships, and increase the likelihood of future victimization.
Therefore, the legislature intends to expand Washington’s existing prohibitions against fabricated depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct to include circumstances where the depicted minor is not identifiable. Senate Bill 5094 aims to strengthen protections for children and improve the prosecution of related crimes by amending Washington state law regarding the sexual exploitation of minors. Amendments clarify definitions related to fabricated depictions of minors in sexually explicit content. The bill also alters statutes of limitations for various sex offenses, extending some limitations based on the victim’s age or the time it takes to conclusively identify a suspect through DNA or photographic evidence. The bill aims to strengthen protections for children and improve the prosecution of related crimes.
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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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Life
Removing references to pregnancy from the model directive form under the natural death act.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5096 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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Safety
Expanding access to leave and safety accommodations to include workers who are victims of hate crimes or bias incidents.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5101, sponsored by Sen. Javier Valdez, D-Seattle and co-sponsored by Sen. Drew Hansen, D-Bainbridge Island, expands the protected categories of current leave benefits for victims of domestic violence to victims of “hate crimes” and/or “bias incidents”.
FPIW does not take issue with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking taking a leave of absence; however, we do take issue with “hate crimes and/or bias incidents” being added to this list. The leave of absence can be used for “safety planning”, seeking services from shelter or counseling centers, medical treatment or legal proceedings. Supporting documentation for the leave can come from a clergy member, attorney, a medical professional, “other professional” or a hate crimes hotline “advocate”.
The vague definition of a “hate crime or bias incident” will likely lead to potential misuse and legal challenges. Furthermore, this bill has the potential to place even greater administrative and financial burdens on small businesses.
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Immigration
Expediting review of sentences when there exists a pending deportation proceeding.
Bill Summary
SB 5103 is a misguided attempt to prioritize certain criminal cases based on immigration status rather than fairness and public safety. By creating an expedited process for pardons and clemency in cases involving pending deportation, the bill undermines the integrity of Washington’s justice system. The current system already allows for expedited review in extraordinary cases, making this legislation unnecessary. Prioritizing these cases over others could delay justice for individuals with equally compelling circumstances but without immigration concerns. The WA Senate GOP states: “SB 5103 would prioritize non-citizens in courts, pardons, and commutations ahead of Americans. This is backwards thinking, and it’s insanely out of touch.”
Additionally, the bill does not differentiate between minor and serious offenses, meaning individuals convicted of crimes that threaten public safety could benefit from rushed pardons. It places undue pressure on the Clemency and Pardons Board to fast-track cases that may not have been properly vetted. Washington should focus on policies that ensure fairness and consistency in the criminal justice system, rather than carving out special exceptions based on immigration status. This bill could also create a dangerous precedent by encouraging more policy changes that weaken accountability for criminal convictions. Clemency should be based on individual merit, not on whether a person is facing deportation.
Bill Summary
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5106, sponsored by Senator Yasmin Trudeau, D-Tacoma, 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 Senate Bill 5106 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
Senate Bill 5117 is a critical measure designed to protect and enhance Washington’s agricultural economy. It mandates that all public entities analyze the impact, explore alternatives, and employ interdisciplinary approaches when making decisions affecting agriculture. The bill requires state agencies to include detailed economic impact statements that assess both short-term and long-term effects on our farming community. Specifically, it directs the Office of Financial Management to develop a fiscal note process that accurately gauges the regulatory costs incurred by agricultural operations. This systematic approach will help prevent policies that could inadvertently harm the $14 billion agricultural industry in Washington.
By ensuring that every significant agency action undergoes an agricultural economic assessment, SB 5117 safeguards the interests of over 32,000 farm operations. It also promotes a balanced use of agricultural land for production, habitat, carbon sequestration, and conservation. The bill’s comprehensive framework empowers decision-makers to consider both economic and environmental factors, protecting our national heritage of agriculture. With these measures in place, our agricultural communities can thrive even as new challenges emerge. By supporting SB 5117, we reinforce a commitment to agriculture, protect jobs, and encourage responsible development that respects both farming traditions and future growth.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5122 enacts the Uniform Antitrust Premerger Notification Act in WA State, establishing a framework for premerger notifications under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. It outlines filing requirements, and establishes confidentiality provisions regarding the submitted documents. Specifically, it mandates that individuals or entities filing a premerger notification must submit an electronic copy of the Hart-Scott-Rodino form to the attorney general. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for reciprocity, allowing the attorney general to share information with counterparts in other states that have enacted similar laws, provided those states have adequate confidentiality protections. It also establishes civil penalties for noncompliance with the filing requirements and emphasizes the importance of uniform application of the law across jurisdictions.
This unneeded legislation requires companies to file additional premerger notifications with the WA State Attorney General, beyond federal requirements, creating redundant oversight without any clear benefits. Disturbingly, it provides more control for the attorney general over state businesses – which are already over-regulated. This bill will impose extra administrative tasks and compliance costs on businesses operating within the state. Introducing state-level premerger notification requirements will also lead to longer review times, potentially delaying business transactions and affecting companies’ strategic plans. While the bill includes provisions to keep submitted information confidential, expanding access to sensitive business data at the state level will certainly raise concerns about data security and the potential for unauthorized disclosures. Finally, additional regulatory requirements could deter companies from pursuing mergers or acquisitions in Washington, potentially impacting the state’s economic growth and competitiveness.
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Education
Expanding protections for certain students to promote inclusivity in public schools.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5123, sponsored by two far-left Democrats, redefines gender identity in Washington law and forces radical changes in how anti-discrimination laws are enforced in public schools. The bill suggests that students can be male, female, both simultaneously, or neither. It is a clear-cut legislative assault on common sense and biology.
Under this law, students can demand access to bathrooms, locker rooms and sports based on their “self-declared” gender identity, regardless of biological reality or school district polity. Furthermore, anyone who questions or refuses to comply with these absurd identities risks being accused of discrimination. The bill’s sponsors insist this legislation is about inclusivity; however, they refuse to address the obvious potential for abuse.
Young girls forced to undress and shower in the presence of boys will have no legal recourse. By allowing boys to participate in girl’s sports, the bill paves the way for further elimination of girls sports. Biological males, regardless of their physical advantages, will further dominate competitions, taking scholarships and inflicting serious injuries upon female athletes. This is already happening, with regularity, across the country. Washington Democrats have decided that promoting radical gender ideology is more important than protecting the integrity of girl’s sports. Ironically, this so-called “progress” comes at the expense of the very group feminism once sought to protect and empower.
By codifying these definitions into law, Washingtonians would be forced to affirm and accommodate beliefs they know to be fundamentally wrong. This goes far beyond respecting individuals — it coerces participation in an ideology that rejects biological reality. School staff would face lawsuits for not accommodating gender pronoun preferences or failing to allow a boy on a girls’ team. Schools would be teaching children that gender is fluid and infinite, even when it contradicts parents’ values or basic scientific understanding.
In passing this bill, Washington Democrats would show how out of touch they’ve become. Voters didn’t get more blue in Washington. Yet the legislative priorities seem to imply otherwise. After the 2024 election, one might expect them to moderate their approach, but instead, they’ve doubled down on the very agenda voters rejected. This isn’t governance; it’s ideological warfare.
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Health Care
Establishing network adequacy standards for skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation hospitals.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5124 aims to enhance patient access to timely and medically necessary post-acute care. This legislation will establish network adequacy standards for skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation hospitals – within managed care contracts – for medical assistance programs in Washington. The bill mandates the authority to develop and adopt these standards by January 1, 2027. The standards will consider factors such as provider availability, timeliness of care, and compliance with federal Medicaid regulations, while also ensuring that care remains local to the enrollee’s community. Stakeholder feedback will be solicited throughout the development process, involving hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, managed care organizations, and other relevant associations.
Additionally, the bill requires that managed care organization contracts or amendments effective on or after July 1, 2027, must meet the established network adequacy requirements for post-acute care services. This includes skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation hospitals, as well as any other necessary post-acute care services determined by the authority. The adequacy requirements will be integrated into existing monitoring and reporting obligations to ensure compliance and improve access to a full continuum of care for Medicaid enrollees. “Patients who need post-acute care should not face unnecessary delays or barriers,” said Ron Muzzall, R-Oak Harbor. “This bill ensures that Medicaid enrollees can access rehabilitation and skilled nursing care without excessive wait times, helping them recover faster and more effectively.”
Bill Summary
This bill was introduced last Session (SB 6216) 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.
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Housing
Ensuring compliance with the housing element requirements of the Growth Management Act.
Bill Summary
The bill seeks to improve compliance with housing element requirements under Washington State’s Growth Management Act by mandating that counties and cities planning under a specific RCW submit their housing elements and related development regulations to the Department for review at least 120 days prior to seeking approval. The Department will evaluate compliance with various laws and regulations, and the bill outlines the application components, decision timelines, and notification processes regarding compliance status. It also establishes a publicly available compliance list for jurisdictions. Additionally, noncompliant cities or counties are restricted from denying or imposing conditions on affordable or moderate-income housing developments unless specific criteria are met, and developers must include legally binding affordability measures for a minimum of 25 years.
The bill further amends existing laws to streamline the compliance and review processes for comprehensive plans and development regulations, requiring petitions related to compliance to be submitted within sixty days of publication. It clarifies responsibilities for local governments in reviewing and revising their plans, allows smaller cities to opt out of full reviews under certain conditions, and mandates public participation programs for plan updates. The bill also addresses the management of critical areas in watersheds, stipulating that counties are not required to update regulations if benchmarks are met, while introducing requirements for progress reports on comprehensive plan implementation. It includes provisions to exempt certain actions from appeals, prioritizes public works projects for financial assistance, and establishes the act as the “housing accountability act” with a severability clause.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5162 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
SB 5163 is a step forward in protecting children and holding systems accountable when tragedies occur. This bill modernizes the state’s approach to reviewing child deaths by renaming “child mortality reviews” to “child fatality reviews” and expanding the scope to include children up to age 19, recognizing that vulnerable youth do not stop facing risks at 18. It empowers local health departments to obtain a fuller picture of the circumstances surrounding a child’s death by requiring access to vital records—from medical to law enforcement to social services. This broader access ensures more thorough reviews and helps identify systemic gaps or failures.
Importantly, SB 5163 allows witness statements and documents collected during these reviews to be used in criminal proceedings, making it more likely that justice can be served in cases of abuse, neglect, or preventable death. At the same time, the bill preserves confidentiality and protects identifying information, balancing accountability with privacy. It removes unnecessary funding restrictions and allows the Department of Health to provide stronger, ongoing support to local departments for these reviews. By expanding the data that can be collected, identifying trends over time, and encouraging quality improvement, this bill will help prevent future deaths. It ensures that preventable factors do not go unnoticed and unaddressed.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5169 seeks to reduce the trauma experienced by children who witness violent crimes. The bill would allow out-of-court statements from children under 18 to be used as evidence in cases involving violent crimes, trafficking, or sexual exploitation. It also clarifies that child witnesses may testify via closed-circuit television, shielding them from the witnesses, ensuring that their testimony can be presented in a way that prioritizes their well-being while upholding justice. “Children who witness violent crimes should not have to endure further trauma in the courtroom,” said T’wina Nobles, D-Fircrest. “This bill ensures that their voices are heard in a way that prioritizes their well-being while upholding justice.”
The legislation also modifies Washington’s hearsay rules by making statements from children of testifying in open court. Under current law, out-of-court statements from children are only admissible if the child was the direct victim of the crime, often requiring young witnesses to testify in court, where they may face intimidation or retraumatization. SB 5169 expands these protections to chid witnesses admissible in dependency proceedings, adult criminal trials, and juvenile adjudications under certain conditions. Specifically, it applies to statements describing: Acts or attempted acts of physical abuse against the child or another child; trafficking or sexual exploitation of children and related violations; acts or attempted acts of sexual contact involving the child or another child; violent offenses or attempted violent offenses committed against or by someone known to the child.
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Property
Concerning boundary line surveys on public lands owned or managed by the Department of Natural Resources.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5170 establishes new notification and consultation requirements for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) when conducting land surveys and boundary line adjustments on public lands. Specifically, when DNR plans to establish land boundaries on non-aquatic lands, they must provide written notification to affected landowners within 30 days of the proposed survey. The notification must include details about the current and future location of proposed section corners or boundary markers. DNR must also provide landowners an opportunity to review the proposed boundaries, present historical evidence about boundary locations, and be involved in discussions about potential changes to their property boundaries. Before undertaking any survey under existing state laws, DNR must first notify adjoining landowners in writing and allow them to review, comment, and provide evidence about historical boundaries. Additionally, the bill modifies existing law to require that before DNR can file a lawsuit to determine a boundary line, they must first follow these new notification and consultation procedures. These provisions aim to increase transparency and collaboration between DNR and neighboring landowners during boundary surveys and potential adjustments.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5171 addresses important concerns for livestock owners who are affected by wolf predation. The bill outlines a fairer and clearer process for claiming damages resulting from wolf attacks. One of the bill’s key provisions is the introduction of “indirect damage claims” that account for losses not just from direct kills but also from losses caused by harassment and disruption by wolves, such as reduced weight gain. The bill requires that these indirect damages be measured by comparing current year losses to a claimant’s average losses before wolves re-established in the region, ensuring fairness in the claim process.
It also widens the scope for indirect claims, even considering livestock losses that cannot be immediately explained but were found in wolf-occupied areas. This ensures that farmers are not left without compensation when the exact cause of death is unclear but wolves are known to be in the vicinity. By making these adjustments, the bill equips both the Department of Fish and Wildlife and affected farmers with the tools for a more precise compensation process. This proposed change will help ensure that farmers are fairly compensated for actual losses attributable to wolf predation, and can continue raising livestock without undue financial damage from these events.
Bill Summary
As they are prone to do, the government – specifically the Department of Ecology – now wants to manage your ability to heat your home. Senate Bill 5174 updates Washington state’s regulations concerning wood burning devices by revising multiple sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) related to air quality and emission standards. The bill modifies definitions for wood burning devices, including adding new definitions for residential forced-air furnaces and residential hydronic heaters, and updates terminology from “solid fuel” to “wood” throughout the text. The legislation authorizes the Department of Ecology to adopt federal emission standards for various wood burning devices, including new residential wood heaters, forced-air furnaces, and hydronic heaters.
The bill allows the department to implement emission standards for masonry heaters and establishes a process for maintaining and updating these standards, with provisions for retailers to sell existing inventory for up to 12 months after a device is removed from the department’s certification list. No wood burning devices will be available to purchase in Washington State that do not meet the statewide emission performance standards. Furthermore, it will be illegal for a homeowner to sell their home if the wood burning device does not meet the emission performance standards. Additionally, the bill maintains existing regulations about burn bans during periods of impaired air quality, restrictions on materials that can be burned, and provisions for emergency situations, while providing more precise language and updated references to federal environmental protection standards.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5175 establishes a photovoltaic module stewardship and takeback program in Washington State, amending existing laws to ensure a safe and environmentally sound recycling system for photovoltaic modules. It mandates that manufacturers finance the takeback and recycling system, and outlines the responsibilities of various stakeholders, including manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. Key provisions include the requirement for manufacturers to submit a stewardship plan by January 31, 2030, detailing how they will manage the recycling process, minimize hazardous waste, and recover valuable materials. The bill also establishes a photovoltaic module advisory committee to provide recommendations on the program.
Additionally, the bill includes provisions for penalties for non-compliance, such as fines for manufacturers that fail to submit an approved stewardship plan before selling photovoltaic modules. It also allows for the establishment of a photovoltaic module recycling account to fund the program’s administrative costs. The advisory committee will consist of various stakeholders, including representatives from tribal organizations, environmental nonprofits, and the photovoltaic industry, and is tasked with developing recommendations for effective recycling practices. The act is set to take effect on June 30, 2025, and includes an expiration date for the advisory committee’s provisions in July 2030. The bill has unanimous bipartisan support in the Senate.
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Education
Establishing a complaint process to address willful noncompliance with certain state education laws.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5179 significantly expands the authority of the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) at the expense of locally elected school boards. Local control is a cornerstone of our public education system, allowing communities to respond to their own values and needs. This legislation shifts decision-making away from the people closest to students and instead subjects local boards to oversight by a centralized state bureaucracy. The proposed complaint process duplicates existing avenues for resolving issues related to civil rights, curriculum, bullying, and discipline. Instead of streamlining complaints, this bill adds a new layer of bureaucracy that will confuse families, burden schools, and delay real solutions.
The bill authorizes OSPI to withhold up to 20% of basic education funding if it determines a district is noncompliant. That is not accountability — that is collective punishment. Students, teachers, and families should not suffer financially for alleged missteps by a superintendent or board member. Smaller and under-resourced districts will be disproportionately impacted by the administrative requirements of the complaint resolution and compliance action plan processes. Furthermore, the bill allows nearly anyone — including individuals with no direct connection to a student — to file complaints about broad district-level policies. This creates an opportunity for outside activists or partisan interests to file complaints not to protect students, but to advance political agendas. Public hearings required for “willful noncompliance” — even when student-specific issues are involved — further increase the risk of politicization and reputational damage before any resolution is reached.
SB 5179 may be well-intentioned but it is flawed in it’s execution. It threatens local governance, imposes excessive burdens on school districts, and risks harming the very students it aims to protect. Please oppose this legislation.
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Education
Amending the parents rights initiative to bring it into alignment with existing law.
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. Senate Bill 5181 (and its companion bill, HB 1296), 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.
Bill Summary
Washington Senate Bill 5183 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
Senate Bill 5184 reduces parking requirements statewide, ignoring the needs of residents, businesses, and communities that rely on adequate parking access. By limiting residential developments to only 0.5 parking spaces per unit, the bill fails to consider the reality of multi-vehicle households, especially in areas with inadequate public transit. The bill also caps commercial parking at one space per 1,000 square feet, which will hurt small businesses, restaurants, and retail stores that depend on accessible parking for customers. “If a developer wants more parking for a shopping center, why should we stand in the way?” Sen. Phil Fortunato (R) asks. “Not every part of the state has great public transportation or walkability.”
By completely eliminating parking requirements for certain developments—including affordable housing, senior housing, child care facilities, and facilities that serve alcohol—this bill creates unnecessary parking shortages, leading to frustration, congestion, and competition for street parking. Instead of allowing local governments to decide what works best for their communities, SB 5184 imposes a one-size-fits-all mandate that ignores regional differences in transportation infrastructure. “In rural communities, it’s not just one person driving a Prius… You’ve got a pickup and a truck to haul your horse trailer and the trailer itself. It’s a different culture than it is in urban areas,” Sen. Keith Wagoner (R) points out. “If we don’t plan for that, we’re just going to create new problems.”
While encouraging public transit use is important, the reality is that many areas in Washington lack reliable transit options, making parking access essential for residents and workers. The bill fails to account for the needs of disabled individuals, caregivers, and families who rely on personal vehicles for daily life. By eliminating parking minimums for developments under 1,200 square feet and mixed-use projects, it creates chaos in dense urban areas where street parking is already limited. Businesses will struggle to attract customers when parking is scarce, ultimately harming economic growth. Finally, this bill undermines property values, as neighborhoods with severe parking shortages often face increased traffic congestion and frustration among residents. It disregards the needs of suburban and rural communities, where car ownership is essential due to the lack of alternative transportation options. If passed, SB 5184 will lead to packed streets, reduced accessibility, and frustration for residents and businesses alike.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5186 modifies Washington state law regarding school district elections and debt. Amendments lower the voter approval threshold for school bonds and/or levies from 60 percent to 55 percent. The bill also revises requirements for validating school district indebtedness, authorizing bond issuance for capital purposes, and adjusting bonded indebtedness in school district reorganizations. The effectiveness of the bill hinges on a proposed state constitutional amendment (SJR 8200) also lowering the bond approval threshold. Democrats are using this bill and proposed SJR 8200 to make it easier to fund public schools which are failing our students in most core subjects and are losing more and more students to charter schools and home-schooling.
Bill Summary
Washington State Senate Bill 5189 repeals an older pilot program and aims to support competency-based education. This legislation defines competency-based or mastery-based education – both of which are culturally-responsive learning practices (Critical Race Theory). Key elements include student empowerment and equity. Student progression is based not upon time spent in class but on perceived mastery of a subject. It also mandates the creation of rules and processes for funding and identifying schools implementing this model. FPIW opposed the pilot program and we continue to oppose this new legislation.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5200 concerns veterans’ medical foster homes and makes several amendments to existing Washington state laws to explicitly include medical foster homes in various regulatory definitions and requirements. Specifically, the bill adds medical foster homes, as defined by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs, to the list of exempt residential facilities and expands definitions related to long-term care workers and providers to include medical foster home caregivers.
A medical foster home is a home where care is provided exclusively to three or fewer veterans, overseen and annually reviewed by the VA, and whose caregivers comply with state laws including training, certification, and background checks. The changes ensure that medical foster homes are recognized in state regulations about licensing, background checks, and vulnerable adult protections, while maintaining specific provisions that allow these specialized homes to operate with appropriate oversight. The bill aims to provide clarity and legal framework for these unique care settings that support veterans who need specialized, home-based care.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5208 establishes a new clean energy fund program designed to provide loans to various entities for projects that support Washington’s clean energy goals. The department may offer loans for a wide range of activities, including acquiring electric or hydrogen vehicles, developing renewable energy infrastructure, installing solar or wind equipment, advancing nuclear reactor technology, decarbonizing facilities, promoting clean energy research and development, modernizing the electrical grid, and supporting clean energy technology in agriculture and forestry. Eligible loan recipients include businesses, electric utilities, corporations, government agencies, political subdivisions, and national laboratories located in Washington.
The bill creates a clean energy fund account in the state treasury, which will receive funding from appropriations, bond proceeds, federal grants, and loan repayments. Loans to public entities may have reduced interest rates, while loans to private entities must have interest rates at least two percent above the prime rate. The department is required to conduct due diligence and can cancel loans if legal violations occur. The bill emphasizes supporting Washington’s environmental policies, particularly the state’s emissions reduction goals, and ensures that loan distribution is proportional across different types of eligible projects. The clean energy fund program aims to foster innovation and investment in clean energy technologies while supporting the state’s transition to a more sustainable energy economy.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5219 is another in a long line of bills designed to benefit criminals rather than the victims and their families. This bill redefines “partial confinement” to allow for up to 18 months of confinement, expanding the definition to include work release, home detention, and electronic monitoring. Additionally, the bill revises definitions and classifications related to criminal offenses, particularly violent and sexual offenses, and introduces new terms such as “persistent offender” and “recidivist offense.” It outlines the implications of these classifications for sentencing and community supervision. The bill also addresses eligibility for parenting programs and graduated reentry programs, increasing the maximum duration of home detention and mandating treatment for individuals with substance use disorders.
Partial confinement programs pose significant risks to public safety and undermines the integrity of the justice system. Allowing individuals to be released up to 18 months before the completion of their sentence—without ensuring that they have demonstrated positive rehabilitation—creates a dangerous precedent. This could lead to early releases of offenders who have not sufficiently proven their commitment to change, particularly those with a history of serious or violent crimes. Furthermore, the bill does not require a proven track record of rehabilitation for eligibility, potentially placing communities at risk of recidivism. Additionally, the bill’s provisions expand eligibility for the Community Parenting Alternative (CPA) to individuals who may not have had a substantial relationship with their children at the time of the offense. This change could undermine the program’s original intent, which was to focus on incarcerated parents who have a deep, ongoing bond with their children, ensuring a smoother reintegration.
Finally, the bill fails to address the critical issue of monitoring these individuals once they are released. Many current partial confinement programs suffer from insufficient oversight, which has led to cases of individuals engaging in criminal activity while under home detention. Expanding these programs without improving monitoring resources could exacerbate these risks, making communities less safe. Ultimately, the bill’s increased leniency towards early release without proper accountability measures may undermine the goals of justice and public safety, while prioritizing early release over necessary rehabilitation and community protection.
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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
SB 5222, 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 billl 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. SB 5222 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
Senate Bill 5223 enhances public safety and improves the accuracy of criminal records. This bill ensures that individuals charged with gross misdemeanors—such as DUI, domestic violence, and theft—are properly fingerprinted, closing an important gap in law enforcement’s ability to track repeat offenders and maintain accurate records. Under current law, fingerprinting is required for felony arrests, but it is inconsistently applied to gross misdemeanors. This means that individuals charged with serious but non-felony offenses can sometimes avoid having their fingerprints recorded, making it harder for law enforcement and the courts to track criminal history accurately. By allowing judges to ensure fingerprinting at preliminary hearings or arraignments, this bill strengthens the integrity of the justice system. Additionally, the bill expands the authority of law enforcement officers to collect fingerprints from adults who are cited and released or issued a summons. This provision is essential for ensuring that those who commit crimes are properly identified, even if they are not immediately taken into custody. It helps prevent individuals from slipping through the cracks simply because they were not formally arrested at the time of the incident.
Bill Summary
On occasion, there are bills or amendments dropped to address issues I was not even aware of. To think that an amendment like this is even necessary makes me sick to my stomach.
SB 5227 proposes amendments to existing law, specifically targeting the creation, distribution, and possession of child sex dolls. I was not even aware there was such an item available on the market. The bill defines key terms like “child sex doll,” “digitization,” and “sexually explicit conduct,” establishing new offenses and associated penalties (class B felonies). It also outlines procedures for seizure and forfeiture of related materials and assets, including provisions for claiming seized property and the distribution of proceeds. Finally, it amends existing forfeiture laws to include child sex dolls as forfeitable items.
Please support this bill so that Washington can lawfully address those sick enough to create, distribute, buy and/or use a doll that in any way resembles a child.
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Housing
Supporting economic security by updating provisions related to the home security fund and the essential needs and housing support program.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5232 seeks to improve economic security in Washington State by revising the home security fund and the essential needs and housing support program. It clarifies that essential needs or housing support is not an entitlement and sets specific eligibility criteria for low or extremely low-income elderly or disabled adults transitioning off benefits. The bill introduces a verification requirement for referrals to essential needs and housing support, allows for direct cash assistance under certain conditions, and mandates that funds be used flexibly according to clients’ housing stability plans. Additionally, it establishes a new surcharge on recorded documents to fund various housing support initiatives, ensuring that a significant portion is allocated to local homeless housing plans. Moreover, the bill amends existing laws to enhance support for extremely low-income households and streamline eligibility for public assistance programs. It designates supported projects as permanent supportive housing for households earning at or below 30% of the area median income and tasks the Department of Commerce with administering the landlord mitigation program using funds from the document recording fee.
This bill expands eligibility for the Essential Needs and Housing Support (HEN) program to a broader group, including people who are no longer qualifying for federal benefits or have transitioned off programs. This will likely increase reliance on state-funded programs without clear safeguards to ensure that resources are effectively allocated to those who are truly in need. Furthermore, the bill raises the administrative rate for HEN support entities from 7% to 15%, aligning it with the Home Security Fund’s administration rate. While this may help streamline operations, increasing administrative costs will divert funds away from direct services to those in need. This is simply a redirection of limited resources from housing assistance and support services toward bureaucratic costs, The bill allows for direct cash assistance through debit cards, transportation vouchers, and gift cards, among other methods. Providing direct cash assistance will most assuredly lead to misuse or lack of accountability. The lack of oversight on how funds are spent, particularly if recipients use the funds for non-housing-related needs, undermines the intent of the program to address immediate housing stability. Additionally, the bill reduces the frequency of eligibility verification from every three months to every 12 months. This reduction in frequency allows individuals who no longer meet the criteria for assistance to continue receiving benefits and divert resources away from those who truly need them. Lastly, the bill does not include any new funding or appropriation, raising concerns about how existing resources will be stretched to meet the increased demand.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5238 modifies Washington state law regarding reckless driving by expanding the definition of reckless driving to include two specific scenarios: (1) driving in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property, and (2) intentionally driving more than 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. The bill maintains the existing penalty structure for reckless driving, which is a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. The legislation also preserves existing provisions related to driver’s license suspension, which requires a minimum 30-day suspension for reckless driving. Additionally, the bill retains complex rules about credit for previous suspensions and requirements for ignition interlock devices, particularly in cases where the reckless driving charge originated from an alcohol or drug-related driving offense. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and primarily aims to create clearer legal standards for prosecuting dangerous driving behavior, specifically targeting extremely high-speed driving as a distinct form of reckless conduct.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5239 establishes new requirements for the retention of hospital medical records. Under the new provisions, hospitals are mandated to retain and preserve all medical records for a minimum of 26 years from the date the record was created. This applies to both records created before and after the effective date of the bill, with specific exceptions for records that were already disposed of in compliance with previous regulations. Additionally, hospitals are allowed to maintain records in various formats, including paper, microfilm, and electronic media.
The bill also clarifies that all information collected during each unique patient visit is considered a medical record. In the event that a hospital ceases operations, it is required to make immediate arrangements for the preservation of its records, subject to approval by the department. Furthermore, the department is tasked with defining the types of records and the necessary information to be included in the retained medical records, which may also be kept in photographic form as per existing regulations. The bill has unanimous bipartisan support in the Senate.
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Education
Extending special education services to students with disabilities until the end of the school year in which the student turns 22.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5253 seeks to extend special education services for students with disabilities until the end of the school year in which they turn 22 years old, amending several sections of Washington state law to align with federal regulations. It recognizes that the current policy of discontinuing services at age 21 may violate federal mandates for free appropriate public education for children with disabilities aged 3 to 21. The new provisions require the continuation of special education services for eligible students until they reach 22, ensuring that they receive necessary support during critical transitional periods. Additionally, the bill emphasizes collaboration among state agencies to enhance transition planning activities for students likely to become eligible for services from the Developmental Disabilities Administration.
Key amendments include redefining the age range for special education services from “between the ages of three and twenty-one” to “beginning at three years of age and concluding at the end of the school year in which the resident turns 22 years of age.” The bill also mandates that school districts obtain consent before releasing student information and expands educational programs to include students with disabilities. Furthermore, it establishes rules for waiving fees for preadmission screening based on family income and allows school districts to deny admission to adjudicated sex offenders under certain conditions. The updated implementation plan is required to be completed by October 30, 2026, with the transition planning section set to expire on August 1, 2027.
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Health Care
Implementing state auditor recommendations for reducing improper medicaid concurrent enrollment payments.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5258 aims to implement recommendations from the state auditor to reduce improper Medicaid concurrent enrollment payments in Washington. It introduces several new sections which require collaboration between the authority and the department to notify each other when individuals enrolled in both Medicaid and other income-based programs move out of state. Additionally, the authority is tasked with working alongside federal agencies to clarify eligibility determinations for clients receiving social security income and to ensure that caseworkers are trained to prevent concurrent enrollments in multiple Medicaid programs. The bill also mandates that managed care organizations analyze their enrollment records monthly to identify individuals enrolled in multiple state Medicaid programs and report these findings to the authority.
Furthermore, the bill outlines specific actions to be taken starting January 1, 2026, including amending contracts with managed care organizations to allow the state to recover premiums for enrollees who have moved out of Washington and have not received services. An annual report detailing the premiums recovered and the number of individuals identified as concurrently enrolled will be submitted to the governor and relevant legislative committees. By December 31, 2031, the state auditor is required to conduct a performance audit on concurrent Medicaid enrollments to assess costs and progress in limiting unnecessary premiums. The bill also amends existing law to ensure that notices regarding program eligibility are clear and meet established plain language guidelines.
Bill Summary
SB 5263 represents a substantial commitment to special education funding, addressing a long-standing issue in Washington’s K-12 system. The bill is a compromise between the Senate Majority Leader and Senate Minority Leader and would add nearly $1 billion in new spending for special education in the 2025–27 biennium. The substitute version of this bill is estimated to save the state between $400–500 million over the next four years. However, concerns about accountability and long-term sustainability remain. If passed, lawmakers should consider future audits or reporting measures to ensure that funds are used effectively and equitably across districts.
Historically, Washington’s special education system has been underfunded for years, forcing school districts to utilize local levies just to meet legal requirements. Special education services such as individualized instruction, speech therapy, physical therapy and behavioral support require significant resources which the increased funding could support. When local property tax levies are required to fund special education, it creates inequality between wealthy and less affluent districts. This bill would ensure that every special education student, regardless of where they live, has access to the specialized services they need. Furthermore, ensuring adequate funding means Washington is complying with federal education laws and can also reduce drop-out rates while improving career readiness for students with disabilities.
Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, introduced an amendment to the substitute bill that would have added a performance audit to ensure special education dollars are spent effectively, but sadly, the amendment failed. While we believe adequate management and accountability are critically important in a state where billions of dollars are unaccounted for, it is important not to further delay funding for students who have urgently needed support for years. While we are not supporters of the public school system, we understand that home schools and charter schools rarely have the infrastructure and funds to support the needs of special education students. While this legislation is certainly not perfect, it is a step in the right direction for making special education funding more reliable statewide and the bill has good bipartisan support.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5266 modifies the state’s approach to juvenile sentencing and early release eligibility. Individuals convicted of crimes committed before their 18th birthday can petition the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board (ISRB) for early release upon reaching the age of 24, provided they meet specific criteria. If they’re granted release, the murderer or other serious felon would be provided rental vouchers courtesy of taxpayers. But the bill does not specify for how long rental vouchers could be offered, meaning they could be provided indefinitely.Those convicted of three or more murder offenses must serve at least 20 years before petitioning. In review, the bill would release juvenile killers from jail early — so long as they didn’t kill more than two victims, the apparent threshold for Democratic sympathy — and then give them free rent to live in your neighborhood.
The primary sponsor for the bill is State Sen. Noel Frame (D-Seattle), who said this “is about accountability.” How? Frame doesn’t explain; however, she did say that it’s not fair for a juvenile murderer to have to wait the current 20 years before being considered for release. Supporters claim rigorous risk assessments and rehabilitative programs will keep the community safe. How can this be considered a good idea? Progressives argue we need more compassion and fewer consequences, but compassion shouldn’t mean naiveté—especially when it endangers the community. But, SB 5266 isn’t compassionate—it’s reckless. Too many supposedly “rehabilitated” offenders have reoffended, and this bill risks repeating those tragic failures
Even some Democrats are opposed to this legislation. Rep. Lauren Davis, D-Shoreline stated “Civil society has expectations around the appropriate punishment for taking a life. This legislation would allow a person to leave prison as soon as six years after killing somebody. The bill allows these early releases even for people convicted of two homicides. So, that’s three years per murder. That is just not objectively reasonable.” When a critic noted that this process would mean a family would be put in a position to ask a board to deny the petition of the monster who murdered their daughter just a few years earlier, expecting they’d serve the 20-year sentence imposed on them, Frame had the temerity to remind people that family members aren’t forced to testify at all, so it’s not really that much of a burden. Does that sound compassionate? Perhaps Frame should be the one to contact families and explain to them they have the option to be retraumatized thanks to her tireless efforts to release murderers and child molesters. After all, as Frame pointed out, the criminals apologized for their crime so they should be given another chance.
The bill is based on the argument that full “brain development” does not occur until the approximate age of 24. Democrats pretend a juvenile doesn’t recognize it’s wrong to murder people until 24, though in Washington they say a 13-year-old can start to transition to a different gender without parental consent. Legislators should protect communities, not gamble with public safety to score ideological points. Offering offenders taxpayer-subsidized housing vouchers and early release is neither justice nor mercy. It’s an invitation for tragedy—and unfortunately, the public pays the price while Democrats campaign off their supposed compassion for juvenile offenders who “just made a careless mistake.” Please oppose this reprehensible legislation.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5268 is a Republican bill that amends existing laws regarding community custody sentences for offenders convicted of certain crimes, specifically focusing on unlawful possession of a firearm. It establishes that offenders sentenced for unlawful possession of a firearm under will receive a community custody sentence of one year if they are sentenced to the custody of the department. Additionally, if the offender is sentenced for a violent offense that is not classified as a serious violent offense, the court must impose an 18-month community custody term. The bill also clarifies that if the unlawful possession of a firearm offense results in a prison sentence of more than one year, the offender will also receive an 18-month community custody sentence.
The bill includes a new section that specifies an expiration date of January 1, 2026, for the provisions outlined in Section 1, while Section 2 will take effect on the same date. This creates a timeline for the implementation of the new community custody requirements and ensures that the changes are reviewed after a set period. Overall, the bill aims to enhance public safety by imposing stricter community custody requirements for offenders involved in firearm-related offenses. Please support this legislation that has strong bipartisan support.
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.
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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 Senate Bill 5272 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.
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Safety
Concerning the management of individuals who are placed in juvenile rehabilitation institutions.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5278, also know as the Juvenile Rehabilitation Overcrowding Relief Act (J-RORA) addresses overcrowding in Washington’s juvenile rehabilitation institutions. It amends existing statutes and creates new sections to manage the population and protect youth and staff. The bill focuses on transferring juveniles to community-based programs, work release facilities, or, in some cases, to the Department of Corrections. It outlines eligibility criteria and procedures for these transfers, aiming to reduce institutional populations to rated bed capacity. The legislation also emphasizes assessments, rehabilitation programs, and risk management, while prioritizing public safety.
The bill notes that DCYF would be required to establish a safe maximum capacity at all juvenile-reform facilities and transfer residents to a DOC facility when the population exceeds 105% of that capacity. A resident who is at least 18 years old and convicted as an adult would gain the option of requesting a transfer to a DOC facility, with DCYF handling the transfer. In addition, a resident of a juvenile-reform facility who assaults a DCYF employee would be transferred to a DOC facility and hearing requirements would not apply. The same would apply if DCYF has reasonable cause to believe the resident and a DCYF employee engaged in sexual contact, unless the resident was a victim of the employee. Finally, a hearing within 10 days would be required in the event of a prison riot or the discovery that a resident is in possession of a cell phone, other electronic recording device, any narcotic drug or controlled substance, alcohol, cannabis or other intoxicant.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5284, 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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Safety
Incentivizing cities and counties to increase employment of commissioned law enforcement officers.
Bill Summary
Bipartisan Senate Bill 5235 allows cities and counties to levy a 0.01% sales tax to specifically support law enforcement efforts and to hire more officers. That money would then be credited against the state portion of the sales tax, resulting in no additional cost to the taxpayers. The bill also directs the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center (CJTC) to increase the number of basic law enforcement training classes to 27 in fiscal year 2026 and 28 classes in fiscal year 2027.
Washington must take a serious look at the policies put in place by the ruling party here in Olympia the past several years that have made law enforcement careers less attractive to people coming out of high school and college. This once respected position of service, authority, and respect in our communities has been castigated, abused, and neutered. Let’s send a message to the law-abiding citizens of Washington that we are going to make our streets safe again.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5292 amends existing laws regarding paid family leave in Washington State. Key changes include the annual setting of premium rates by the commissioner based on an annual report from the Office of Actuarial Services, rather than a calculation method. The bill also notes that the total premium rate must not exceed 1.2% and introduces a 3-month reserve. Employers with fewer than 50 employees are not required to pay the employer portion of premiums. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2027.
This bill should concern every W2 worker in Washington state. The bill guarantees yet another pay decrease for workers of all income levels and need, so some workers can take advantage of a pool of money filled by a payroll tax on workers’ paychecks. Then that pool is most often emptied by middle- and upper-income wage earners. Those with higher incomes are the ones who can better afford to take time off and receive a portion of their pay from fellow taxpayers to bond with babies or take care of medical needs. In fiscal year 2024, workers making $60 or more an hour used the fund nearly twice as much as the lowest wage earners. Meanwhile, full-time workers of all incomes lose hundreds of dollars a year to this tax.
Workers, including low-income ones, are paying more than double the amount they paid for this tax when the PFML program began in 2019. The tax is currently 92 cents on every $100 earned. This bill will ensure workers are charged even more soon, up to the tax rate’s cap of 1.2%, by changing the way the tax is calculated and requiring more money in reserves so the program better pays its way. That’s something the program hasn’t been able to do and isn’t expected to do in the future. Administrative costs and benefits have exceeded revenue in two of the program’s first four years and the bill’s fiscal note reports the program will never establish a three-month reserve if subject to the cap.
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Environment
Extending the water supply milestone for the Yakima river basin integrated plan to 2035.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5303 aims to extend the water supply milestone for the Yakima River Basin Integrated Plan to 2035. Key changes include the adjustment of the deadline for securing permits and funding for water supply facilities from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2035, and the specification that these facilities must provide at least 214,000 acre-feet of water for both in-stream and out-of-stream uses. Additionally, the bill maintains the percentage of appropriations that can be retained for administrative overhead at 12 percent.
Furthermore, the bill outlines the responsibilities of the Department of Natural Resources regarding land purchases for the community forest trust, allowing for expedited processes without the usual prerequisites. It mandates the development of a transitional management plan for the acquired land, ensuring it aligns with the principles of the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan. The act is declared necessary for the immediate preservation of public peace, health, or safety, and is set to take effect on June 30, 2025.
Bill Summary
Washington State Senate Bill 5307 is a 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.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5312, sponsored by a group of Democratic senators who claim to be concerned about children, aims to reduce the legal penalties for those convicted in “Net Nanny” operations — stings where law enforcement officers pose as minors to catch online sex predators. Currently, people convicted in these operations face serious consequences, including long-term sex offender registration and extended community supervision, as they should. SB 5312 would shorten those penalties in cases where no real child was involved, claiming a difference between someone targeting an actual minor and someone arrested in a setup.
If passed, SB 5312 would do two major things. The first is reducing the length of sex offender registration. Instead of requiring offenders to register as sex offenders for an indefinite period, those caught in Net Nanny operations would only need to register for five years — provided they have no prior sex offense convictions. The second is shortening community supervision. Currently, some sex offenses result in lifetime supervision, even if the person is released from prison early. The bill proposes capping supervision at three years for those arrested in Net Nanny stings, provided they have no history of predatory behavior.
If you haven’t heard of them, Net Nanny operations are internet sting missions run by the Washington State Patrol’s Missing and Exploited Children Task Force (MECTF). Officers pretend to be minors in online chat rooms, waiting for adults who try to engage in inappropriate conversations or arrange meetups. Once an adult takes a concrete step toward committing a crime — like showing up at a meeting spot or continuing a conversation with explicit intent — they’re arrested and charged with an attempted sex offense.Between 2015 and 2023, Washington’s Net Nanny operations led to 311 arrests across 20 sting operations.
Supporters of SB 5312 argue that someone caught in a Net Nanny sting — who never actually had contact with a real child — shouldn’t face the same lifelong consequences as someone who has committed a hands-on offense. They say the bill is about fairness and ensuring that punishments fit the crime. Bill sponsor Senator Lisa Wellman, D-Mercer Island said the bill’s aim is to reduce lifetime supervision and registration for individuals convicted of non-contact, victimless sex offenses. “It’s saying, with no prior record of any wrongdoing, with a child, with nothing on your computer, in your home, in your background, shouldn’t there come a time when you can live a life and know for certain that that time can come? It’s not a lifetime sentence,” Wellman said.
Laura Harmon, a King County Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and attorney for the statewide Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, defended the practice of law enforcement officers operating as children in sting operations. “The fact that sometimes it is a real child and sometimes it is not does not change the fact that the person forms that intent and takes actions to sexually abuse that minor,” Harmon said. Opponents of the bill also note that reducing penalties could send the wrong message. Groups focused on child safety believe the possibility of severe consequences is what keeps potential predators from engaging in these behaviors in the first place.
As of now, comprehensive data comparing how each state penalizes fictitious victim cases is limited. What’s clear is that lawmakers across the country are starting to take a closer look at these types of cases, debating where the line should be drawn between punishment and rehabilitation.
The question now before lawmakers in Washington is: Should an internet sting operation carry the same weight as a real-world crime? Or should there be a distinction? FPIW’s stance is clear. Those individual’s sick enough to carry out even non-contact sexual grooming deserve the most severe consequences possible. Luke 17:2 reminds us ‘It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.’
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5314 claims to be a set of routine “clarifications” to Washington’s capital gains tax, but in reality, it’s another “backdoor tax increase” that further entrenches a deeply flawed and legally contested tax policy. Billed as a way to “close loopholes” and streamline administration, this bill actually expands the reach of the state’s capital gains tax and tightens state control over taxpayers, businesses, and investors. It adds new reporting burdens for brokers, redefines taxable events, and makes it harder for taxpayers to claim valid deductions and credits—ultimately increasing compliance complexity and risk.
Although it claims not to raise taxes directly, the bill subtly changes definitions and rules in a way that could result in more people being taxed—particularly by altering how losses are handled, adding previously exempt categories of gains back into the tax base, and narrowing the scope of credits for taxes paid to other states. The removal of the business and occupation (B&O) tax credit in favor of a capital gains tax credit is a bait-and-switch: it effectively reduces tax offsets for small business owners who already pay high B&O taxes. It also increases penalties and interest for late filings or underpayments—even in cases where a taxpayer made a good faith effort. The bill demands more personal financial information from brokers and taxpayers alike, with harsh penalties for mistakes or delays in sharing data. This isn’t innocuous tax reform.
Worse still, the capital gains tax itself was implemented in controversial fashion, bypassing voters and facing multiple legal challenges. Doubling down on this tax by expanding its scope and enforcement mechanisms through SSB 5314 sends a message that the state is more interested in extracting revenue than fostering fairness or economic growth. In sum, this bill piles administrative burden on businesses and individuals alike while reinforcing an unstable and unpopular tax. Citizens should reject SB 5314 as a backdoor tax hike disguised as a technical fix, and call for transparent, voter-approved tax policies. Heavy taxation on families is a root problem in Washington, and we do not need more. Please register CON.
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Taxes
Standardizing notification provisions relating to local tax rate changes and shared taxes administered by the department.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5315 aims to standardize notification provisions related to local tax rate changes and shared taxes administered by the Washington State Department of Revenue. Key amendments include changes to the effective dates for local sales and use tax changes, which can now take effect no sooner than 75 days after the department is notified in writing, and only on specific dates (January, April, or July). Additionally, the bill introduces a requirement for authorized authorities to notify the department in writing of any local sales and use tax changes, including providing a signed ordinance or resolution and, in cases of annexation, a complete ordinance with legal descriptions and maps.
Further amendments address public facilities districts, allowing them to impose sales and use taxes under certain conditions, with specific population thresholds and construction timelines. The bill also clarifies that the tax rate for these districts cannot exceed 0.037 percent and mandates that any tax imposed must be matched with funds from other public or private sources. Notably, the bill requires public facilities districts to notify the department in writing at least 75 days before retiring any bonds related to the tax, ensuring transparency and compliance with the new regulations.
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Energy
Exempting local governments providing certain services for projects under the jurisdiction of the energy facility siting evaluation council from certain appeals.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5317 is a critical step toward streamlining Washington’s energy infrastructure development by reducing unnecessary bureaucratic delays. This bill ensures that local governments providing technical assistance, application reviews, or inspections for energy facility projects under the jurisdiction of the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) are protected from excessive appeals that could slow down critical energy projects.
Currently, energy facility projects must navigate a complex web of local and state regulations, often facing prolonged legal challenges that stall construction, increase costs, and delay the availability of much-needed energy resources. SB 5317 eliminates redundant permitting requirements by ensuring that once an energy project is certified by the EFSEC, it is not subject to additional conflicting state or local laws. By cutting red tape, this bill supports faster approval and construction of energy facilities, including renewable energy projects that are essential for meeting Washington’s growing energy demands. It also gives cities and counties the confidence to engage in technical reviews without fear of legal roadblocks, ensuring that energy projects proceed efficiently and with proper oversight.
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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.
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Safety
Concerning the penalties for theft and possession of stolen property from first responders.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5323 modifies Washington state law to enhance penalties for theft and possession of stolen property specifically related to first responders’ equipment. The legislation amends two existing criminal statutes to create a new category of theft and stolen property possession that applies when the stolen items are critical equipment used by firefighters or emergency medical service providers, taken from a fire station, emergency medical services building, facility, structure, or vehicle. Under the new provisions, such theft or possession would automatically be considered a first-degree offense – a class B felon – regardless of the monetary value of the stolen items. This change acknowledges the critical importance of emergency response equipment and provides stronger legal protections for first responders by creating more severe criminal consequences for those who steal their essential work tools and technology. The bill aims to deter theft of equipment that could potentially compromise emergency response capabilities and put public safety at risk.
Bill Summary
This bill amends the existing law regarding the Northeast Washington Wolf-Livestock Management Account, expanding the permitted uses of funds and codifying ongoing practices. The account, which is held by the state treasurer, can now receive receipts from various sources including legislative appropriations, private donations, and other public or private funding. The bill specifically allows expenditures for three purposes: (1) deploying nonlethal wolf deterrence resources, (2) wolf-livestock management, and (3) providing grants to the sheriffs’ offices in Stevens and Ferry counties to support a local wildlife specialist who assists the Department of Fish and Wildlife in wolf management.
The account’s expenditures can only be authorized by the director in consultation with an advisory board, and while the account is subject to standard state allotment procedures, it does not require a specific appropriation. Any interest earned on the account’s deposits will remain in the account. The bill also maintains the advisory board’s ability to solicit and receive gifts and grants from public and private sources to support wolf management efforts.
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Health Care
Ensuring patient choice and access to care by prohibiting unfair and deceptive dental insurance practices.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5351 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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Health Care
Delaying the use of the ASAM 4 criteria, treatment criteria for addictive, substance related, and co-occurring conditions.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5361 amends existing laws regarding the implementation timeline for the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) 4 criteria, which are treatment guidelines for addictive, substance-related, and co-occurring conditions. Specifically, it extends the deadline for Medicaid managed care organizations and carriers to begin using the updated ASAM Criteria from January 1, 2026, to January 1, 2028. The health care authority and the office of the insurance commissioner are tasked with jointly determining whether to adopt the updated criteria and will provide notice of their decision on their respective websites.
The bill emphasizes the importance of collaboration between the health care authority and the insurance commissioner in assessing the updated ASAM Criteria, ensuring that any changes are communicated effectively to relevant entities. By delaying the implementation date, the bill allows for additional time to evaluate the updated treatment criteria before they are mandated for use in the state’s Medicaid system.
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Safety
Modernizing, harmonizing, and clarifying laws concerning sheriffs, chiefs, marshals, and police matrons.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5364 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.
The 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, including staff. For this reason, this bill should be opposed. Please register CON.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5365 expands the definition of “recreational facilities” within park and recreation districts in Washington State. It introduces new language that allows for the inclusion of community centers that may house public libraries, provided that the library occupies less than 50 percent of the usable space within these centers. This change aims to enhance the availability of leisure and recreational activities by integrating library services into community centers.
Additionally, the bill clarifies that park and recreation districts are authorized to operate as municipal corporations, focusing on providing nonprofit leisure activities and facilities to residents. The inclusion of libraries within community centers is intended to promote greater access to educational resources while maintaining the primary function of these centers as recreational spaces. This change is intended to enhance the financial resources available to libraries, which have faced increasing budget constraints in recent years. The bill has overwhelming bipartisan support.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5370 proposes to lengthen the terms of office for port commissioners from four years to six years, contingent upon voter approval. A new section is added to chapter 53.12 RCW, which outlines the process for submitting a ballot proposition to the voters of a port district. This can occur either through a resolution by the port commissioners or via a petition signed by at least 10 percent of the voters from the last general election. If the petition is validated, the proposition will be placed on the ballot for the next general election occurring at least 60 days after the resolution or petition submission.
If the majority of voters approve the proposition, the commissioner elected during that election will serve a six-year term, while the terms of the other commissioners will remain unchanged. In cases where two commissioners are elected during that election or the following general election, the one with the highest votes will serve a six-year term, while the other will serve a four-year term. Future commissioners will be elected to six-year terms. However, this new provision does not apply to port districts that are mandated to maintain four-year terms under existing law. The bill has full bipartisan support in the Senate.
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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, SB 5373 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
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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Elections
Concerning requirements pertaining to signatures and addresses of ballot measure petitioners and petition signature gatherers.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5382 would require those gathering initiative signatures to sign a declaration under penalty of false swearing that information written by signers is accurate and they were not paid for their signature. It also directs the Secretary of State, in validating signatures, to verify the address listed by a person on an initiative or referendum petition is the same as the one that is on their voter registration card. Specifically, if there is no address match or if the address is not specified, the signature will not be considered valid.
Sen. Javier Valdez, D-Seattle, the bill’s prime sponsor, said it will bolster accountability and reduce the potential for bad actors to improperly influence the initiative process. Proponents of the bill report that paid signature gathering can incentivize fraudulent practices, such as encouraging unqualified people to sign petitions or signing the same petition multiple times. Opponents of the legislation argue it would impede voters’ ability to engage in the initiative process, which allows citizens to propose changes in law on the ballot or to the Legislature. Republican lawmakers said the bill is a reaction to the seven citizen initiatives challenging Democratic policies that qualified for the ballot last year.
“It’s absolutely chilling,” said Sen. Shelly Short, R-Addy. “I think it’s a really sad day when we start taking away the ability of those who disagree with us and make it harder for them to initiate something to do about it.” Brian Heywood, founder of Let’s Go Washington, blasted the bill’s approval. “The legislature is showing what they really think about 3 million voters engaging in citizen advocacy,” he said in a statement. “This bill is politically motivated to solidify the power of the majority and silence anyone who questions their authority.”
Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, a Democrat, added his voice to the opposition on Tuesday. He said anything that adds barriers or impediments to the initiative process “is not helpful to Washingtonians. Adding a voter’s residential address to the process of validating voters’ eligibility to sign an initiative petition is unnecessary and won’t help voters in any demonstrative way,” Hobbs said.The Secretary of State is responsible for verifying and canvassing the names of registered voters who have signed an initiative or referendum petition. It uses statistical sampling to determine if enough signatures are submitted to qualify a measure for the ballot. This past fall the state Supreme Court rebuffed a bid by an alliance of unions and progressive groups to force the Secretary of State to redo its certification of last year’s measures by reconfirming that the hundreds of thousands of people who signed petitions were legal voters. In a unanimous ruling in October they said the state constitution “does not require any particular signature verification procedure.”
Senate Minority Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, and House Minority Leader Drew Stokesbary, R-Auburn, also railed against the bill. “This is a bill we refer to as the ‘initiative-killer’,” Braun said. “It’s not clear this bill is even constitutional.” The co-sponsors of this bill should tell you everything you need to know. Please oppose this legislation.
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Parenting
Supporting survivors of sexual assault in public elementary and secondary schools.
Bill Summary
Bill Summary
SB 5387 is a misguided attempt at regulating the corporate practice of health care that will ultimately harm patient access and innovation. By restricting ownership and financial investment in health care practices to only licensed professionals, the bill limits opportunities for much-needed private investment in medical facilities. Many health care providers rely on management service organizations (MSOs) to handle administrative and financial tasks, allowing doctors to focus on patient care—this bill jeopardizes those partnerships. Without external investment, smaller practices and tele-health providers will struggle to survive, leading to fewer health care options, especially in rural and underserved areas.
The bill also duplicates existing restrictions on corporate influence in medicine, creating unnecessary bureaucracy without addressing the root issues of rising healthcare costs. Furthermore, SB 5387 fails to recognize that not all corporate involvement is bad—many partnerships have led to advancements in medical technology, expanded access to care, and improved patient outcomes. The broad language of the bill may inadvertently restrict beneficial collaborations between health care providers and organizations that support them. By discouraging financial support for medical practices, this legislation could result in higher costs for patients and fewer available providers.
Bill Summary
SB 5388 addresses the certification and monitoring of behavioral health services in Washington state correctional facilities. In 2020, legislation was passed requiring substance use disorder treatment services in prisons to be licensed by the Department of Health, which subsequently also required licensing of mental health services. This bill modifies that requirement, mandating that the Department of Health monitor behavioral health services in correctional facilities based on standards jointly developed with the Department of Corrections, rather than through direct licensure. Specifically, the bill requires the two departments to establish joint standards for behavioral health services by July 1, 2026, with full implementation by July 1, 2027.
The Department of Health will conduct annual inspections to ensure compliance, issue reports on any noncompliance, and provide technical assistance. The departments must enter into a biennial agreement outlining the inspection process and reimbursement for associated costs. The bill also makes technical changes to existing law, such as adjusting language around substance use disorder treatment services, some of which we do not completely agree with. The goal is to ensure high-quality behavioral health services in correctional facilities while creating a collaborative oversight mechanism between the two departments. The bill has broad bipartisan support in the Senate.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5391 modifies the existing Sustainable Farms and Fields Grant Program to enhance support for agricultural carbon reduction and sequestration efforts. The bill expands the program’s allowable uses of funds to include new activities like supporting the purchase of equipment, and providing financial assistance to farmers. It requires the commission administering the program to prioritize grant applications based on their potential to increase organic carbon in soil, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, integrate vegetation into agricultural lands, improve energy efficiency, and adopt precision agricultural practices. The bill also adds preferential scoring for projects that create buffers for fish habitat.
Grant recipients can now apply individually or as cooperative ventures, and conservation districts can apply for equipment-sharing grants. The commission must report on the program’s performance every two years, maintain a public list of projects, and develop a standardized carbon equivalency metric for measuring the program’s environmental impact. Additionally, the bill ensures that while grant recipients can choose to have their names published, all must allow anonymized project funding information to be publicly reported. The overall goal is to support agricultural practices that reduce carbon emissions and improve environmental sustainability. This legislation has strong bipartisan support.
Bill Summary
SB 5393 addresses the closure of the Rainier School, a residential habilitation center for individuals with profound intellectual and developmental disabilities, by June 30, 2027. The bill mandates that no new admissions will be permitted to Rainier School after the bill’s effective date, and requires the Department of Social and Health Services to relocate current residents over the next two years. The relocation process will include offering various housing options such as state-operated living alternatives, supported living programs, and other residential habilitation centers.
This bill fails to provide a realistic, detailed, or adequately funded transition program. There are not sufficient community-based options based upon testimony from families, labor groups and care providers. The plan is vague, underfunded and unrealistic given the lack of existing community capacity. The state doesn’t have the housing, the skilled workforce, or the infrastructure to safely support these residents outside of the centers they currently rely on. Closing Ranier is not just bad policy – it is a moral failure. The State should be investing in this center, not dismantling it.
“This bill will lead to suffering, instability, and yes—avoidable deaths,” said Travis Couture, R-Allyn. “We’ve seen it happen in other states. This isn’t just about facilities; it’s about real people who depend on this care to survive.” Couture, who has lived experience both personally and professionally working in disability services, said he was devastated by the bill’s disregard for the vulnerable populations it affects. “These aren’t just clients on a spreadsheet. They are human beings who dream, who bleed the same red blood as the rest of us. Many of them have already failed in community placements. That’s why they’re at Rainier. This center is their last hope.” Please vote ‘con’ on SB 5393 and stand with those who can’t speak for themselves.
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Health Care
Reducing the developmental disabilities administration’s no-paid services caseload services.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5394 modifies the responsibilities of the developmental disabilities administration (DDA) regarding its no-paid services caseload, which refers to eligible individuals who are not currently receiving paid disability services. The bill requires the department to hire two full-time employees dedicated to maintaining and reviewing this caseload, including tracking the current number of eligible individuals and identifying those interested in receiving services now or within the next year.
Additionally, the bill changes the scope of case resource management services for clients on this caseload. Previously, clients were guaranteed full case resource management, but now the department may provide only limited services. The case resource manager’s role is now narrowed to responding to clients about their service needs and explaining available service options through the department or community resources. Importantly, the bill stipulates that inactive clients on the no-paid services caseload will not receive any case resource management services. Starting December 1, 2022, the department is required to submit an annual report to the governor and legislative committees detailing the no-paid services caseload information. The bill has unanimous bipartisan support in the Senate.
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Health Care
Making improvements to transparency and accountability in the prior authorization determination process.
Bill Summary
Washington State Senate Bill 5395 aims to improve transparency and accountability in the prior authorization determination process for health insurance carriers, health plans, and managed care organizations. The bill introduces several key provisions to regulate how these organizations make decisions about medical treatments, prescription drugs, and services.
Specifically, it requires carriers to provide faster and more transparent prior authorization processes, with specific time frames for electronic and non-electronic requests. The bill places significant emphasis on limiting the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical decision-making, mandating that AI tools cannot be the sole means of denying, delaying, or modifying health care services. Instead, medical necessity determinations must be made by licensed physicians or health professionals who consider the patient’s individual clinical history and circumstances.
The bill also requires carriers to provide more detailed information about prior authorization decisions, including the credentials of the reviewing physician, and allows for peer-to-peer reviews in cases of adverse determinations. Additionally, the legislation introduces reporting requirements for carriers, mandating quarterly reports on prior authorization requests, approvals, and denials, with specific attention to the role of AI in these decisions. The bill aims to ensure that medical decisions remain patient-centered, clinically sound, and free from potential algorithmic bias.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5400 from Sen. Marko Liias, D-Edmonds, would see the state provide up to $20 million in state grants for Washington news media of every stripe—print, digital, etc. The money would come from a B&O surcharge on tech giants like Facebook and Google. According to those supporting this bill, social media helped “cripple journalism”. In actuality, journalism has crippled itself by becoming a propaganda machine for progressive liberals (with a few notable exceptions).
In 2023, lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to eliminate the B&O tax on those companies still in the newspaper business. Now, these proposed grants would be doled out by the Department of Commerce starting in mid-2026 for newsrooms employing three full-time journalists working 30 hours a week or more for the past year.
What do newspapers need to do to be eligible for this money? They need to fact-check their stories with liberal “fact checkers” (you see how well that has worked), have a process for “corrections”, and report on stories of public interest to Washingtonians 25% of the time. How much grant money each newsroom could collect would depend on the hours its staff submits. Exactly how those hours would be reported will be determined by the Department of Commerce.
The newsrooms in Washington State have made their own beds, now let them sleep in it. When they return to factual, non-partisan, relevant, timely, investigative reporting, perhaps citizens will reconsider. Until then, please reject this bill. At a time when cutting the budget is a priority, bailing out the “news” media falls to the bottom of the list.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5410 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
Senate Bill 5418 amends several sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) specifically related to charter school contracts. Key provisions include the requirement for charter schools to comply with local, state, and federal laws, including health, safety, and nondiscrimination laws, while also providing a basic education program that meets state learning standards unless exempted by the charter contract. The bill introduces new reporting requirements for charter schools regarding noncertificated instructional staff and mandates that charter contracts clearly outline performance expectations and measures for evaluation. Additionally, it allows for the possibility of waivers from certain educational provisions for both school districts and charter schools to enhance educational programs.
The bill also specifies that the charter contract must be executed within 90 days of the approval of a charter application and establishes that the initial contract term is five operating years. It emphasizes the need for authorizers to monitor the start-up progress of newly approved charter schools and ensures that no charter school can commence operations without an executed charter contract. Furthermore, the bill expands the authority of the state board of education to grant waivers to both school districts and charter schools, allowing for flexibility in implementing local educational plans. This bill has very strong bipartisan support.
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Freedom
Ensuring access to state benefits and opportunities for veterans, uniformed service members, and military spouses.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5420 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.
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Taxes
Modifying tax and revenue laws in a manner that is not estimated to affect state or local tax collections.
Bill Summary
SB 5431 proposes modifications to Washington’s tax and revenue laws without significantly altering state or local tax collections. The bill primarily focuses on extending preferential tax rates for specific industries, particularly the solar energy industry and data centers for an additional five years, while updating administrative processes for tax collection and exemptions. A performance review will determine whether employment levels remain at or above 2019 levels, and whether at least 60% of employees earn $60,000 or more annually. If these conditions are met, the tax preference may be extended further. The bill also requires businesses to meet sustainability standards (e.g., LEED, Energy Star, Green Globes) to qualify for tax breaks. It sets a 12-year limit for businesses to install and use replacement server equipment under the tax exemption program and establishes a cap on the number of tax-exempt data centers per year. In addition, the bill strengthens record-keeping requirements for businesses claiming sales tax exemptions. By changing the state’s tax exemptions review process it reduces required reporting from annually to every four years.
Ultimately, this appears to be a business-friendly measure aimed at supporting renewable energy and technology infrastructure while refining tax administration policies. The tax incentives helps Washington maintain their competitiveness for data centers while improving tax administration and reducing tax fraud by strengthening record-keeping and enforcement. Please support this bipartisan legislation.
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Freedom
Establishing balanced legislative oversight of gubernatorial powers during a declared emergenc
Bill Summary
The bill introduces three key ways a state of emergency can be terminated: first, through a direct proclamation by the governor; second, if the legislature is in session, through a concurrent resolution ending the emergency; and third, if the legislature is not in session and more than 90 days have passed since the emergency declaration, through a written termination signed by all four legislative leadership members (majority and minority leaders of the Senate and House).
Additionally, the bill outlines the governor’s authority to issue orders during a state of emergency, including prohibitions on public gatherings and the sale of certain goods, as well as the ability to waive or suspend statutory obligations. It clarifies that any such orders cannot last longer than thirty days without legislative extension, and if the legislature is not in session, the leadership of both chambers can extend the orders until the legislature reconvenes. The bill also establishes penalties for willful violations of the governor’s orders during emergencies.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5436 aims to enhance protections for religious freedom in Washington State. The bill establishes new criminal offenses for interfering with access to or disrupting activities at places of worship, defining specific actions prohibited and outlining corresponding penalties. For example, the bill establishes that individuals who approach others within eight feet with the intent to harass or intimidate, as well as those who physically obstruct access, can be charged with disorderly conduct.
Penalties for violations include gross misdemeanors with escalating fines and jail terms for repeat offenders. Additionally, the bill allows aggrieved individuals to seek civil damages, including up to $500 for each day the prohibited actions occur, and provides for injunctive relief to prevent further violations. The legislation emphasizes that these remedies are cumulative and does not limit the pursuit of other legal remedies. The act is declared necessary for the immediate preservation of public peace, health, and safety, and takes effect immediately upon passage. Civil remedies are also provided for individuals harmed by such interference, allowing for lawsuits seeking damages and injunctions. The bill draws upon existing federal law and state laws concerning interference with healthcare facilities as precedents while emphasizing the importance of protecting religious freedom under both state and federal constitutions. Finally, the bill includes provisions to protect the privacy of individuals involved in any resulting legal proceedings.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5444 addresses special license plates in Washington state, implementing several key provisions aimed at reforming and managing the state’s special license plate program. The bill establishes a moratorium on new special license plates until January 1, 2029, and creates a special license work group to conduct a comprehensive review of the current special license plate process. The work group, convened by the Department of Licensing, will examine ways to improve oversight, increase application requirements, modify startup costs, enhance transparency, and develop metrics for discontinuing low-performing special license plates.
The bill also adds several new special license plate designs, including plates for LeMay-America’s Car Museum, Mount St. Helens, Nautical Northwest, Smokey Bear, Working Forests, State Sport (Pickleball), Seattle Reign FC, Washington Honey Bees and Pollinators, Firefighter Memorial, Donate Life, United States Naval Academy, and Historical Throwback. Each new plate will have a specific design and support a particular cause or organization, with proceeds typically going to related nonprofit organizations or state programs. The bill requires the Department of Licensing to report on the special license plate process and provides for ongoing review and potential legislative adjustments to ensure the program’s effectiveness and financial sustainability.
Bill Summary
Many Washington electric utilities are at risk of blackouts due to aging infrastructure and massive load growth. The Pacific NW Utilities Conference Committee estimates a 30% increase in electricity demand over the next decade. Drivers of this increase include high-tech manufacturing, increasing electrification of buildings and transportation, data center needs and population growth.
Senate Bill 5445 encourages utilities to invest in local energy resilience and clean energy projects which can help meet rising demand and improve grid reliability. This legislation would enable utilities to keep dollars local, boosting Washington economies. Workers will benefit from such investments as these projects create high quality jobs, provide opportunities for training apprentice workers, and help utilities address our energy challenges by leveraging their expertise, community relationships and resources. Developing infrastructure to transition to a clean energy grid, rather than purchasing renewable energy credits often sourced outside Washington, mitigates the need for expensive, inefficient, and polluting long-distance power transmission. Projects would include community solar generation, demand response, battery storage, and grid hardening to provide energy security and protect infrastructure from natural disasters.
The Washington Public Utility Districts Association (WPUDA) urges support for this bill and it has near-unanimous bipartisan support in the Senate.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5450 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.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5454 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
Senate Bill 5462 addresses vehicle inspection requirements and aims to streamline the process for certain types of vehicles. The legislation modifies existing laws to exempt all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), wheeled all-terrain vehicles, and utility-type vehicles from the standard vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection process. It maintains existing requirements for inspecting rebuilt, salvage, or total loss vehicles, ensuring that major component parts are legally obtained and the vehicle is properly documented. The bill continues to require VIN inspections for first-time titled vehicles like assembled, homemade, kit, street rod, and custom vehicles, as well as for vehicles with altered or missing VIN numbers. Additionally, the bill adds a new section to the RCW’s that specifically exempts vehicles titled under chapter 46.09 RCW from VIN inspections. The changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and are designed to reduce bureaucratic hurdles for certain vehicle owners while maintaining important safety and documentation standards.
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Health Care
Concerning the duties of industrial insurance self-insured employers and third-party administrators.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5463 amends existing laws regarding the responsibilities of self-insured employers and third-party administrators in the context of industrial insurance in Washington State. Key changes include broadening the scope of the law to apply to all self-insured employers. The bill introduces a new requirement that a self-insurer can have their certification withdrawn if they violate their duty of good faith and fair dealing three times within a three-year period. The bill also establishes that the duty of good faith and fair dealing applies to all self-insured employers and their third-party administrators. It outlines the process for investigating alleged violations and stipulates that penalties for violations can range from one to 52 times the average weekly wage, depending on the severity of the infraction and the act applies to all claims regardless of the date of injury. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.
This bill adds additional layers of regulation and compliance requirements for self-insured employers and third-party administrators (TPAs). Self-insurers will face stricter scrutiny in maintaining certifications, with the director having more authority to withdraw certification based on subjective or ambiguous grounds, such as “habitually” failing to comply with unspecified rules or engaging in practices deemed as coercion or bad faith. Furthermore, the bill expands the scope of “good faith and fair dealing,” creating more ambiguity around what constitutes a violation of this duty. Self-insured employers and TPAs could find themselves in constant fear of non-compliance with evolving standards, especially considering the department has the authority to adopt rules for determining good faith. This introduces the risk of increased oversight, legal complexity, and potential penalties for companies that are already managing their own workers’ compensation claims. The bill grants significant authority to the director and the department to enforce compliance, potentially leading to a high level of government intervention in how employers handle workers’ compensation claims. This overreach could be seen as an infringement on the rights of self-insured employers and TPAs to manage their insurance programs effectively
Finally, the bill states that the act applies to all claims, regardless of the date of injury. This retroactive application could be problematic for employers, as it introduces uncertainty and the potential for liability for past claims under a new set of rules. Employers should not be held liable for actions taken before the enactment of the new law, especially when they followed prior regulations in good faith. The proposed penalties are disproportionate, particularly if the violation is minor or an isolated incident. Employers may feel the risk of substantial financial penalties is too high, even for minor errors or delays, leading to an overly cautious approach to handling claims, which may harm workers’ access to timely benefits. With the expanded enforcement and penalties, small employers may be forced to reconsider their self-insurance status or may choose to pass on the cost to employees or consumers, thereby weakening their competitive position in the market.
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Environment
Authorizing electrical companies to securitize wildfire-related costs to lower costs to customers.
Bill Summary
Washington Senate Bill 5465, 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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Energy
Improving reliability and capacity of the electric transmission system in Washington state.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5466 proposes creating the Washington electric transmission office to address the state’s aging and insufficient electricity transmission system. The bill aims to improve grid reliability and resilience, particularly during extreme weather, and increase access to renewable energy sources. It establishes an advisory board, outlines a process for a 20-year transmission needs assessment and enhancement roadmap, and details provisions for funding and project development. Further, the bill includes measures to streamline permitting for transmission upgrades and provide incentives for investment in grid modernization.
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Housing
Prohibiting algorithmic rent fixing and noncompete agreements in the rental housing market.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5469 aims to prohibit algorithmic rent fixing and noncompete agreements in the rental housing market by establishing new legal restrictions on how rental property information can be collected, processed, and shared. The bill defines “coordinating” as a service provider collecting and analyzing rental data (such as prices, occupancy rates, and lease terms) from multiple landlords using systems, software, or algorithms to provide recommendations, while excluding publicly available rental price estimates. It makes it illegal for landlords to contract with or pay for services that coordinate rental pricing across multiple properties, and it prohibits service providers from coordinating rental information between two or more landlords. The legislation treats violations as unfair trade practices under the consumer protection act, allowing only the attorney general to bring enforcement actions on behalf of the state or residents, reducing landlords’ ability to challenge claims through independent arbitration.
Many landlords currently rely on third-party analytics and algorithmic pricing tools to help set rents based on supply, demand and market trends. This type of pricing can help optimize rental pricing and maintain competitive rates, which benefits both landlords and tenants in dynamic markets. Without pricing software, landlords – especially those managing multiple properties – will have to manually set rent prices, which can be time-consuming, ineffective and less efficient, potentially discouraging investment in rental housing. Furthermore, without data-driven pricing, landlords might overestimate or underestimate rent levels, leading to unpredictable price swings. If you support free-market principles, rental technology, and landlord autonomy, please oppose this legislation.
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Housing
Establishing limitations on detached accessory dwelling units outside urban growth areas.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5470 proposes regulations for detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) outside urban growth areas. The bill outlines specific limitations on ADU size, location, water and sewage systems, and short-term rentals. Counties are required to track ADU permits, update their comprehensive land use plans, and consider the impact of ADUs on overall density. The bill also defines key terms like “accessory dwelling unit,” “principal unit,” and “short-term rental,” clarifying their usage within the context of the proposed regulations. Finally, the bill notes that it does not invalidate prior county ordinances or exclude alternative methods of ADU authorization.
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Housing
Authorizing middle housing in unincorporated growth areas and unincorporated urban growth areas, certain limited areas of more intensive rural development, and fully contained communities.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5471 represents a significant shift in Washington’s approach to rural housing development. The bill legalizes duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes on rural residential lots, in addition to one middle housing project on a parcel zoned for single-family housing. The bill aims to give homebuilders the freedom to build smaller and less expensive homes, thereby expanding housing options, increasing affordability, and providing property owners with greater flexibility. The legislation has strong bipartisan support and the backing of influential housing and county organizations, including the WA State Association of Counties and the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties.
This legislation will be beneficial to people priced out of urban areas like Seattle and Bellevue. A greater supply of housing will help to stabilize or lower current housing costs. If you own land in a rural area, this bill gives you more freedom to develop the property. Owners could build rental units, multi-family housing or homes for extended family. The increased construction would also create more jobs and economic activity in rural areas that often struggle with growth and an increase in residents can help support local businesses, schools and other services. There are legitimate issues to address such as water supply and infrastructure; however, these issues can be managed through proper planning and investment. If you believe Washington should expand housing options, reduce costs, and give landowners more say over their property, then please support this bill. It’s a pragmatic step toward fixing the housing crisis without forcing dense urban development everywhere.
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Health Care
Improving access to appropriate mental health and substance use disorder services.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5477 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.
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Freedom
Concerning payments to tow truck operators for the release of vehicles to indigent persons.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5484 establishes a new program to compensate registered tow truck operators for releasing vehicles to indigent individuals, outlining specific eligibility criteria such as legal ownership, proof of indigence, and certification of inability to pay for towing services. Vehicles impounded due to the owner’s arrest are excluded from this program. Registered tow truck operators can apply for payment for eligible impounds, and the Department of Transportation is responsible for creating a certification form for both vehicle owners and tow truck operators. The bill also amends existing laws to allow vehicle release without payment of towing and storage fees, provided the necessary forms are completed, and it mandates annual reporting on the program’s effectiveness.
Additionally, the bill clarifies the jurisdiction of district and municipal courts over vehicle impoundments, requiring a written request for a hearing within 10 days and a filing fee. If the impoundment is found improper, the vehicle owners will not incur fees, and the authorizing agency will be liable for costs. The bill also includes provisions for awarding attorneys’ fees if a judgment is not paid within 15 days and establishes that abandoned vehicles not redeemed within 15 days will be sold at public auction, with conditions for redemption prior to the auction. The act is set to take effect on February 1, 2026.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5485 is bipartisan legislation that requires the Department of Agriculture to submit an annual livestock inspection program report. This report will be provided to relevant legislative committees and the livestock identification advisory committee, detailing collected amounts, program expenditures, and recommendations for efficiency improvements and fee modifications. Additionally, the financial status of the program will be assessed to determine if a review of fees is necessary to ensure continued support. Furthermore, the bill continues the current livestock identification fees, the Livestock Identification Advisory Committee, and the Livestock Identification Program report from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2030.
The livestock identification program helps track ownership, deter theft, and support the health and safety of the state’s livestock industry. The extension provided by SB 5485 ensures the program can continue operating without interruption, offering stability for producers statewide. The legislation has unanimous bipartisan support in the Senate.
“This bill is a significant step forward for our agricultural community,” said Senator Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake. “By extending these critical components of the livestock identification program, we’re ensuring that our ranchers and farmers have the support they need to maintain accurate records and protect their livestock investments.” “Our livestock producers rely on this program for essential services like brand registration and inspection,” said Warnick. “Continuing these services means we can uphold the integrity of our livestock markets and provide peace of mind to those who work tirelessly to feed our communities.” “I’m grateful for the bipartisan collaboration that made this possible,” Warnick added. “Together, we’re reinforcing the foundation of our state’s economy and honoring the hard work of our livestock producers.”
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Safety
Providing parameters for conducting searches of transgender and intersex individuals confined in a local jail in compliance with federal law.
Bill Summary
SB 5490 is a pro-transgender bill that imposes overly rigid and impractical requirements on local jails that could compromise safety and operational effectiveness. The bill mandates that jails adopt detailed policies for searching transgender and intersex individuals, including giving inmates the right to choose the gender of the officer who conducts their search. This level of customization can create staffing complications, especially in smaller or rural facilities with limited personnel.
The bill effectively eliminates correctional officers’ flexibility in conducting searches, even during high-risk situations, by limiting cross-gender searches to only the most extreme, “exigent” circumstances. Yet in a jail environment, where time-sensitive security concerns frequently arise, such narrow definitions could endanger both staff and inmates. Furthermore, the bill excludes staffing shortages as a valid reason for deviating from its requirements, meaning jails would be forced to delay searches or forego them altogether until specific personnel become available—a clear threat to institutional safety.
The new mandates also open the door to costly lawsuits if procedures are not followed to the letter, placing an extra financial and legal burden on local governments. Many jails already follow the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards, which strike a more balanced approach between individual rights and facility safety. Adding stricter state-level mandates may only serve to overcomplicate compliance without meaningful benefits. Registering CON on SB 5490 is not a vote against respect or human dignity. Instead, it preserves safety, operational flexibility, and practical governance in Washington’s correctional facilities.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5491 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.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5493 requires hospitals in Washington State to enhance price transparency by mandating two key actions: First, by July 1, 2027, hospitals must fully publish and comply with federal price transparency rules. These federal rules are designed to help patients understand healthcare costs before receiving services. Second, starting July 1, 2027, hospitals must submit two specific types of charge files to the state department annually: a machine-readable file listing standard charges for all hospital items and services, and a consumer-friendly list of standard charges for a subset of “shoppable services” (which are typically routine or predictable medical procedures that patients can compare and plan for in advance).
By requiring these submissions, the bill aims to increase transparency in healthcare pricing, potentially helping patients make more informed decisions about their medical care and understand potential costs before receiving treatment. The bill has unanimous bipartisan support in the Senate.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5494 may sound like a well-intentioned effort to protect communities from lead exposure, but it introduces unnecessary layers of bureaucracy and opens the door to unchecked regulatory expansion. The bill hands the Department of Commerce new powers to enforce and manage lead-based paint programs without clear limits or guarantees of consistent oversight. It removes long-standing safeguards like the requirement for 24- to 48-hour advance notice before inspections—allowing inspectors to show up unannounced, disrupting businesses and violating property rights. At the same time, the bill eliminates the clear $25 and $200 statutory fees and instead grants Commerce full authority to set fees by rule—effectively writing themselves a blank check with no cap on costs for certifications, training, or inspections.
This bill also removes a key protection: the existing provision that exempts facility owners from lead paint inspection if they do not wish to receive federal abatement funds. Under the new rules, even homeowners or contractors not seeking funding may be subjected to enforcement. Additionally, while the bill claims to focus on public safety, it actually weakens the standard for criminal penalties—now only applying to fraud or intentional violations—potentially reducing accountability for dangerous practices. Overall, SB 5494 gives too much authority to unelected bureaucrats, removes critical checks and balances, and places contractors and homeowners at risk of unpredictable fees and enforcement. For a bill that so deeply affects property rights, small businesses, and public health, this lack of transparency and accountability should concern every Washingtonian.
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Housing
Preserving homeownership options by limiting excessive home buying by certain entities.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5496 is a well-intentioned but deeply flawed bill that would restrict the housing market in harmful and unintended ways. By prohibiting investment entities and businesses with more than 25 single-family homes from purchasing additional properties, the bill discourages housing development and investment in Washington. Many of these entities play a crucial role in maintaining and improving housing stock, ensuring that homes remain livable and available for renters and future buyers. Restricting these purchases could lead to fewer rental properties and higher costs for families who cannot afford to buy a home.
The bill also penalizes businesses that invest in renovating older properties, potentially leaving dilapidated homes sitting vacant rather than being restored. Instead of addressing the root causes of the housing crisis—such as zoning restrictions, permitting delays, and a lack of new construction—this bill unfairly targets property owners who help meet housing demand. Furthermore, by giving the Attorney General’s Office broad enforcement powers, SB 5496 creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and legal risk for investors, potentially driving them out of the state. This will not lead to more homeownership; it will simply reduce the supply of available homes, making housing more expensive for everyone. A better solution would be policies that encourage responsible development and homebuilding rather than punishing investors.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5498 is a birth control push by government. It mandates that health insurance companies help advance its morally and financially concerning agenda. Logistically, the bill requires that starting January 1, 2026, all health benefit plans in Washington that offer contraceptive coverage must allow enrollees to obtain a full 12-month supply of contraceptive drugs at once, unless otherwise specified by the patient or the prescribing provider. It also requires health plans to make contraceptives available directly on-site at provider offices if feasible, and to follow clinical prescribing guidelines to ensure safe and effective access. In support, Gov. Bob Ferguson says: “Ensuring Washingtonians have access to a full year’s supply of birth control at no cost is vital to comprehensive health care.”
But there are good reasons to be concerned with this ideology. First, Gov. Ferguson above refers to “at no cost,” but we all know nothing is free, i.e., someone always pays for products and services. This bill increases healthcare costs and insurance premiums by forcing insurers to front-load coverage and inventory expenses. Dispensing a full year’s supply at once—especially of brand-name or higher-cost contraceptives—can strain smaller clinics and insurers, especially in rural or lower-income areas where resources are more limited. These rising costs may be passed on to all enrollees in the form of higher premiums.
Second, there are serious moral issues with birth control itself, which aims to divorce sex from babies. No historian doubts that “the Pill” was the catalyst of the Sexual Revolution (1965–75), and it remains the catalyst for those who support such sexual values today. The tradition of Christianity and other religions speak directly to the harm “the Pill” has done to our society. Catholicism, for instance, has always opposed artificial birth control, and some Protestants only began accepting it formally in 1930.
Third, chemical contraception is a toxic, man-made drug that can poison women in many ways: e.g., blood clots, blurred vision, nausea, cramping, irregular menstrual bleeding, weight gain, headaches, breast cancer, strokes, and heart attacks. Few today know that hundreds of women have died due to such birth control products. Birth control products also can cause abortions.
Ultimately, the approach in this bill is not only morally concerning, but it may result in more costs, complications, and decreased patient-provider engagement. Lawmakers should consider more flexible and targeted policies that empower patient choice and clinical discretion rather than sweeping mandates. For these reasons, citizens should oppose Senate Bill 5498.
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Health Care
Supporting caregivers who provide complex care services to children with heightened medical needs.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5504 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
SB 5525 is another regulation against businesses. It introduces excessive burdens on businesses during their most vulnerable moments—closures and mass layoffs. The bill lowers the threshold for compliance with the 60-day notice requirement from 100 employees (under federal law) to just 50, increasing the number of small and mid-sized businesses that would be subject to complicated rules and potential lawsuits. This could deter entrepreneurship and job creation in the state, as businesses face increased legal risks and administrative hurdles simply for trying to adapt to changing economic realities.
The bill also opens employers to stiff penalties—including back pay, benefits, and civil fines—even in cases where layoffs are unforeseeable or temporary. Although it provides exceptions, the documentation required to prove an exception applies could be costly and time-consuming, adding layers of red tape for companies already under financial strain. It also prohibits employers from including employees on paid family or medical leave in layoffs except in very limited circumstances, which could make workforce restructuring even more difficult.
By imposing rigid mandates and severe penalties, SB 5525 could discourage employers from investing or expanding in Washington. Businesses may hesitate to hire or may reduce their workforce preemptively to avoid falling within the bill’s scope. While protecting workers is important, this bill risks doing more harm than good by constraining employers at times when flexibility and swift decision-making are crucial for survival.
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Taxes
Amending the county population threshold for counties that may exempt from taxation the value of accessory dwelling units to incentivize rental to low-income households.
Bill Summary
SB 5529 amends existing legislation regarding property tax exemptions for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in Washington State, specifically targeting counties with populations of 900,000 to 1,500,000. It allows these counties to exempt the value of ADUs from taxation if certain conditions are met, including that the unit is rented to low-income households, defined as those with an income at or below 60% of the median household income for the area. The bill requires taxpayers to submit an affidavit verifying tenant income and a lease agreement of at least 12 months. Additionally, it mandates that the exemption must be applied for annually and outlines the responsibilities of county legislative authorities in administering the program.
The bill also includes provisions for a performance review of the tax preferences associated with the exemption, to be conducted by the joint legislative audit and review committee by December 1, 2027. This review will assess the costs and benefits of the exemption program, including its impact on the availability of affordable housing for low-income households. The act is set to expire on January 1, 2034, and the new provisions will apply to taxes levied for collection in 2026 and thereafter.
Bill Summary
In recent years, the word ‘equity’ has been highjacked by woke members of the liberal left and given this term a negative connotation. Senate Bill 5543 enhances real equity in eligibility for the Washington college bound scholarship program. It specifies that eligible students include those who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, are dependents, or were adopted between the ages of 14 and 18 with a negotiated adoption agreement. The bill mandates automatic enrollment of eligible students by the office of student financial assistance, ensuring that no action is required from the students or their families. Additionally, it requires notification to eligible students and their guardians about their enrollment and the scholarship requirements.
Key changes in the eligibility criteria include the addition of provisions that allow students who graduate from approved private high schools or receive a high school equivalency certificate to qualify for the scholarship. The bill also introduces a requirement for eligible students enrolling in postsecondary institutions for the first time to graduate with a minimum of a “C” average. Furthermore, it clarifies that eligible students must enroll in a higher education institution within one academic year following high school graduation and outlines the financial aid structure for students attending various types of institutions. The bill aims to ensure that the scholarship program is accessible and equitable for all eligible students in Washington. SB 5543 has unanimous bipartisan support in the Senate.
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Parenting
Modifying provisions regarding family home providers overseen and certified by a federal military service.
Bill Summary
Currently, military family home childcare providers already certified through the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) must also be licensed and registered by the state, unless located on a military base. Senate Bill 5545, sponsored by Sen. Marcus Ricelli, D-Spokane, would streamline the process by exempting off-base military family home childcare providers on or near military bases from state certification. More than 70% of military families in Washington state live off the base, according to the DOD. Washington would join 17 other states that have already streamlined licensing rules for military childcare providers. Under the legislation, the state Department of Children, Youth, and Families would coordinate with DOD and retain the ability to investigate any reports of alleged abuse or neglect.
“This bill is really about increasing access to affordable childcare by making the licensing process easier for military providers around Fairchild and other bases in the state,” Riccelli said. “Many of the providers that are located just off the federal military installations are owned by military families and want to serve military families.” DOD official Tammie Perreault stated, “We’ve seen really great success with the Air Force, especially being able to support childcare homes just outside the gate to provide care for those family members as they’re coming into work. Eighty-seven percent of these military family childcare providers are military families themselves and it keeps it in our community, being able to take care of our own.” The bill has unanimous bipartisan support in the Senate.
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Transportation
Funding the state transportation system using climate commitment act revenues.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5550 would direct excess Climate Commitment Act (CCA) revenue toward state road projects. The legislation would amend state law to allow the currently restricted funds to be used to address the state’s growing infrastructure backlog, which exceeds $11 billion. Under the bill, the funds could be used for major transportation projects, including the replacement of the I-5 bridge over the Columbia River, the completion of the US 395 North Spokane Corridor, the completion of S.R. 520 bridge and the Gateway Freight Project, which connects S.R. 509 and S.R. 167 to key ports in King and Pierce counties.
Rep. Andrew Barkis, R-Olympia, the ranking Republican on the House Transportation Committee and sponsor of companion House Bill 1324, said that while he respects the will of the voters in upholding the CCA, extra revenue should not be prohibited from use to address the state’s transportation needs. “Washington roads are in dire need of repair. We rank 47th nationally in road quality, face an increasing number of bridges in poor condition, and have a highway system in the early stages of failure. With project costs soaring 70 percent since 2020 and infrastructure crumbling, we quite literally cannot afford to have a narrow focus on transportation revenues.”
Bill Summary
Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, has introduced a bill to streamline state and local permitting processes for homes built from kits. Wilson says kit homes offer a practical way to build new housing quickly and affordably.
“They had the right idea a hundred years ago,” Wilson said. “In every prewar neighborhood of America, you can find homes built from kits sold by Sears and other manufacturers. These kit homes provided an affordable path to homeownership for millions of Americans. Kit homes can do it again, if we clear the way for them by eliminating cumbersome regulations and review processes designed for one-off stickbuilt homes.”
Senate Bill 5552 creates a new state building code category for kit homes. The State Building Code Council would be forbidden from adopting requirements costing more than $150 a square foot. The separate rules for kit homes would allow state and local governments to keep the rules they already have in place for stickbuilt homes.
Modern kit homes often include prefabricated walls, floors and roofs. They are distinguished from modular and other factory-built homes in that the bulk of the assembly occurs on-site. Models range in size from 60 square feet to more than 2,000. Wilson’s building code legislation applies to kit homes on the affordable end of the scale, less than 800 square feet. He said kit homes of that size offer an option for the ambitious do-it-yourselfer looking to build an ADU in the back yard, or for larger-scale developments.
Wilson said the legislation should help kit homes bypass requirements that can add considerably to the cost of a home. This year’s proposals are a refinement of a bill he introduced in 2023. “The bill died last year because of apathy from state agencies and the Inslee Administration,” Wilson said. “But our new governor is making housing a priority, and I don’t think state agencies will find it so easy to dismiss the idea.”
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Environment
Concerning timelines for growth management comprehensive plan and development regulation updates.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5558 amends several sections of the Washington State Growth Management Act to establish new timelines for the review and update of comprehensive land use plans and development regulations. It allows smaller cities and towns with populations under 500, not near larger cities, to opt out of full reviews if they notify the department of their intent to participate in a partial review. Other changes include new compliance deadlines, such as extending the review date for certain counties from June 30 to December 31, 2026, with subsequent reviews every ten years. The bill emphasizes public participation in the planning process and requires counties and cities to report on their implementation progress regarding comprehensive plans.
Additionally, the bill introduces clear and objective development regulations for design review processes, ensuring that these do not reduce density, height, bulk, or scale below what is generally applicable in the zone. It mandates that design reviews occur concurrently with project permit reviews and limits public meetings to one. The bill also specifies density requirements for cities based on population size, promoting affordable housing development while allowing flexibility in implementation. Notably, it removes the previous six-month compliance timeline, replacing it with a requirement for compliance to align with the next comprehensive plan update.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5559 aims to streamline the subdivision process within urban growth areas in Washington State by amending existing laws related to subdivisions and short subdivisions. Key changes include the introduction of new definitions such as “parent lot,” “unit lot,” and “unit lot subdivision,” which clarify the subdivision of residential lots into smaller unit lots. Additionally, the bill mandates that by June 30, 2026, all unit lot subdivisions must notify purchasers of their legal status. It also emphasizes the need for clear and objective design and development standards, which should be ascertainable by both permit applicants and public officials prior to submission.
Furthermore, the bill requires cities, towns, and counties to adopt regulations for the summary approval of short plats and short subdivisions, including provisions for unit lot subdivisions. These regulations must ensure that land in short subdivisions cannot be further divided within five years without filing a final plat, while also allowing for certain exceptions. The bill also stipulates that cities and towns must incorporate these new requirements into their development regulations by specific deadlines, ensuring that the subdivision process is more efficient and transparent while maintaining necessary public safety and environmental standards.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5567 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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Education
Providing instruction on Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander history in public schools.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5574 mandates the inclusion of Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander history in the public school curriculum in Washington State. It requires the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to adopt learning standards for this history by September 1, 2028. The standards will encompass the contributions and historical experiences of these communities, including their roles in civil rights, government, arts, and sciences. Starting in the 2029-30 school year, school districts will be required to provide instruction on these topics in grades K-12, aligning with the state social studies learning standards.
Additionally, the bill creates an advisory committee to assist in the implementation of these learning standards and to support the teaching of Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander history. The committee will consist of representatives from various community organizations, state agencies, and educators, ensuring diverse and inclusive representation.
This is another ethnic studies mandate virtue signaling the intent to combat “racism”. The Board of Education didn’t add ethnic studies to graduation requirements because of the previous backlash from parents. Furthermore, local school boards should be deciding curriculums, not the legislature. Senate Bill 5574 is meant to do what the Board of Education couldn’t. Please oppose this bill.
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Housing
Providing a local government option for the funding of essential affordable housing programs.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5576 introduces a new local government option for funding essential affordable housing programs through the imposition of a special excise tax on short-term rental lodging. Local legislative bodies, such as counties, cities, or towns, can impose this tax at a rate not exceeding four percent, which must be collected by the state department at no cost to the local governments. The tax proceeds will be deposited into an essential affordable housing local assistance account and can be used exclusively for purposes such as acquiring or constructing affordable housing, funding operations and maintenance costs, providing rental assistance, and supporting social service organizations. Additionally, local governments must adopt a resolution of intent before imposing the tax and are required to publish an annual report detailing the revenue’s use.
This misguided legislation places an additional tax burden on short-term rental (STR) operators, many of whom rely on rental income to offset the high cost of living and maintain their properties. The tax could reduce the financial viability of STRs, leading to fewer available rentals for people in need of temporary housing, including families, students, and those displaced by disasters. Furthermore, the revenue generated by this tax is unlikely to significantly address the state’s affordable housing crisis, as smaller cities and towns may lack the capacity to effectively utilize the funds for housing projects. Instead of a tax that harms local businesses, alternative solutions should focus on supporting both STRs and long-term housing solutions without penalizing one over the other.
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Transportation
Implementing safe system approach strategies for active transportation infrastructure.
Bill Summary
SB 5581 aims to improve active transportation infrastructure in Washington State by adopting a safe system approach, which focuses on creating a comprehensive network of shared-use paths and recreational trails. It authorizes the Department of Transportation to allocate funds for the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of these facilities. Key amendments include a requirement that no limited access highway can sever existing recreational trails or shared-use paths without providing satisfactory alternatives, and mandates the incorporation of facilities for pedestrians, equestrians, and bicyclists into highway designs where appropriate. The bill also introduces new definitions for roundabouts and crosswalks, ensuring that the needs of all users, including those with disabilities, are considered in transportation planning.
While the intentions behind the bill may be commendable, there are significant concerns that must be carefully considered. The bill’s provisions, such as the expansion of roundabouts, shared-use paths, and intersection improvements, will undoubtedly drive up the cost of road projects by tens of millions of dollars. Given the state’s already strained budget, this additional financial burden could divert funds from other critical infrastructure projects, leaving less room for addressing immediate needs in our transportation system. Second, implementation challenges must be addressed. The bill mandates cooperation between state, local, and tribal authorities to update and modify transportation plans, potentially causing delays and confusion. With the diverse and often complex landscape of local jurisdictions, this could result in unnecessary roadblocks that slow the progress of infrastructure projects and burden already under-resourced local governments.
Additionally, while the bill prioritizes safety for active transportation users, it is important to recognize that the majority of traffic fatalities occur outside of intersections and marked crossings. Focusing too heavily on infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists may not directly address the root causes of traffic fatalities, which are often related to broader road safety issues. The proposed measures might not be the most effective solution in reducing overall traffic fatalities. Lastly, there are concerns about the potential for redundant and inefficient investments. In many communities, active transportation infrastructure already exists and meets the needs of users. Mandating additional infrastructure in areas where it is unnecessary could lead to wasteful spending and duplication of efforts. We should focus on filling gaps in the network, not repeating investments in places that are already well-served. While safety for all road users is crucial, this legislation – as written – introduces significant costs and potential inefficiencies that could undermine the very goals it seeks to achieve.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5583 raises the maximum price for raffle tickets from $25 to $30 and increases the age for youth hunting and fishing from 15 to 16 years old. The bill also establishes new reporting requirements for licensees, imposing administrative penalties for non-compliance, and requires hunters who failed to report their wildlife harvests in the previous year to complete a report and pay any penalties before obtaining a new license.
Further amendments include the introduction of a supplemental migratory bird permit for individuals aged 16 and older, updated age requirements for safe firearm handling certification, and new exemptions for current or retired federal peace officers from certain training requirements. The bill restructures fees for turkey tags, allocating two-thirds of the revenue for turkey or upland game bird management, and introduces new fee structures for various fishing and hunting licenses. It also allows for combination licenses that may offer discounts for seniors and disabled veterans, while repealing certain previous acts related to hunting and fishing regulations. The changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with specific provisions, such as surcharges on fees, taking effect on September 1, 2027.
SB 5583 proposes a 38% increase in recreational hunting and fishing license fees. This is a heavy financial burden on residents and the increased fees make hunting and fishing less accessible to the public, particularly to low-income or middle-class individuals. This bill will also hurt local businesses that rely on outdoor enthusiasts, such as sporting goods stores, rental shops, and guide services. The reduction in participation may create a ripple effect throughout the economy, leading to job losses and a decline in revenue for these businesses. While the bill outlines how revenue from the fee increases will be allocated to various enhancement and research programs, there’s no guarantee that these funds will effectively improve the fishing and hunting experience or that they will be used efficiently. Please oppose this legislation which acts another tax on the citizens of Washington.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5586, 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.
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Housing
Concerning affordable housing development in counties not closing the gap between estimated existing housing units within the county and existing housing needs.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5587 aims to enhance affordable housing development in counties that are not meeting the housing needs of their populations. It amends existing laws to require the Washington Center for Real Estate Research to produce a series of reports that assess housing supply and affordability metrics for cities with populations of 10,000 or more. These reports will include analyses of existing housing units and needs across various income levels, as well as progress in closing the gap between housing supply and demand. The reports will be submitted to legislative committees for review and will be updated every two years.
Additionally, the bill modifies the criteria for local governments to qualify for financial assistance under the public works assistance program. It emphasizes the importance of projects that promote affordable housing, particularly in counties identified as having a gap between existing housing units and housing needs. The maximum funding amount for any jurisdiction is set at $10 million per biennium. The bill also introduces new language to prioritize projects that encourage infill development and affordable housing, ensuring that local governments are utilizing all available revenue sources for public works funding. The act is officially titled the Affordable Housing Action Act.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5601 aims to promote the production and utilization of alternative jet fuels in Washington State by amending existing laws and introducing new provisions. It establishes a competitive grant program to support the research, development, and construction of infrastructure necessary for alternative jet fuels. The legislation mandates collaboration among various stakeholders, including tribes and local governments, to foster the development of renewable fuels and green electrolytic hydrogen. Additionally, the Department of Ecology is required to prepare nonproject environmental impact statements for clean energy projects and consult with affected tribes regarding potential impacts.
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.
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Health Care
Providing sufficient funding for the Washington state long-term care ombuds program.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5606 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.
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Housing
Concerning the development of clear and objective standards, conditions, and procedures for residential development.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5613 establishes a comprehensive framework for developing clear and objective standards for residential development in Washington state. The bill requires the Department of Commerce to form a stakeholder work group representing cities, counties, the building industry, construction trades, planning and architecture professions, and land use advocacy organizations to analyze development regulations that create barriers to housing types and suggest model codes with clear and objective standards. By January 1, 2029, cities and counties must adopt development regulations that are either directly compliant with the bill’s requirements or substantially similar to a model code to be developed by the department by June 30, 2027.
The bill introduces new definitions for “clear and objective development regulations” and “clear and objective design standards,” which essentially mean development rules that can be understood and applied without subjective interpretation, with measurable written or graphic criteria known to applicants and officials before submission. The bill also allows jurisdictions to maintain an alternative approval process for residential development that includes some non-objective aesthetic criteria, but only if applicants can still choose to use a clear and objective process and the alternative process does not reduce the allowed density. The goal is to create more predictable, uniform, and streamlined residential development processes across Washington state.
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Health Care
An act relating to establishing restrictions on the sale of over-the-counter diet pills and dietary supplements for weight loss or muscle building to individuals under 18 years of age.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5622 is an overreach that places unnecessary restrictions on the sale of legal, widely used health supplements for weight loss and muscle building. This bill would ban anyone under 18 from purchasing common over-the-counter diet pills and dietary supplements, even though these products are already regulated by the FDA and widely available. It lumps safe and commonly used supplements, like green tea extract and amino acids, into the same category as prescription drugs, creating confusion and unfairly restricting access. Furthermore, note the irony from the Left: Young teens can take gender hormones and abortion pills – which are extremely dangerous and have life-long effects – but diet and supplement tablets should be restricted.
Parents, not the government, should decide what dietary products their teenagers can use, and this bill takes that choice away. The vague and overly broad language in the bill could lead to bans on basic health products, including some vitamins, herbal remedies, and natural supplements that have been used safely for decades. Retailers would be forced to scan IDs and collect personal data, adding an unnecessary burden on businesses while raising privacy concerns. The bill would force online retailers to require age verification for deliveries, complicating the process of purchasing everyday health products. There is no clear evidence that banning young people from purchasing these products improves health outcomes, making this legislation more about government control than public safety. Similar laws in other states have faced legal challenges for violating free commerce and consumer rights, meaning Washington could be tied up in expensive lawsuits. This regulation sets a dangerous precedent, allowing the government to further restrict access to legal and beneficial health products in the future.
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Environment
Continuing to provide payments to support farm fuel users and transporters for exempt fuel under the Washington Climate Commitment Act.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5630 specifically aims to emphasize the legislature’s intent to continue providing payments to support farm fuel users and transporters who purchase fuel for agricultural purposes that is exempt from carbon dioxide emission thresholds under the Washington Climate Commitment Act (CCA) and ensures they receive financial assistance for their exempt fuel purchases. This is part of a broader effort to promote sustainable agricultural practices while maintaining compliance with environmental regulations.
Additionally, the bill clarifies the criteria for covered entities under the emissions reporting framework, detailing the thresholds for emissions that categorize entities as covered. It also addresses imported electricity emissions and establishes a method for mitigating emissions from new or expanded facilities and also outlines exemptions for certain emissions sources, including those related to agricultural fuel use, and establishes a framework for compliance obligations among multiple entities. The amendments aim to balance environmental goals with the economic needs of the agricultural sector, ensuring that farmers and transporters are not unduly burdened by emissions regulations.
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Health Care
Protecting the confidentiality of records and information that may be relevant to another state’s enforcement of its laws.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5632 aims to enhance the protection of confidentiality for records and information related to the provision of protected health care services in Washington State. The bill also emphasizes the state’s commitment to safeguarding lawful health care services, regardless of the recipient’s location, and establishes that any out-of-state laws imposing penalties related to these services are against Washington’s public policy.
Additionally, the bill outlines specific prohibitions for state courts and agencies regarding cooperation with out-of-state enforcement actions related to protected health care services. It prohibits the issuance of warrants or subpoenas based on another state’s laws and restricts business entities from providing information in response to such legal processes unless certain attestations are met.
This legislation obstructs the enforcement of legal actions pursued by other states, setting a dangerous precedent for states ignoring each other’s laws. Restricting Washington’s own law enforcement agencies from complying with out-of-state subpoenas and arrest warrants undermines legal accountability and interstate cooperation on legal matters. Furthermore, it may lead to conflicts with federal laws that supersede state policies. This could result in legal challenges and the significant waste of taxpayer funds. Finally, this bill is designed specifically to protect gender-affirming treatments and abortions from out-of-state legal actions. Obviously, this encourages individuals, including minors, to travel to Washington for services without parental involvement or legal oversight which, in turn, undermines parental rights and responsibilities regarding medical decisions for their children. Please oppose this horrendous bill.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5637 aims to enhance media literacy and civic education among students in Washington state by mandating a stand-alone civics course for high school students. It amends RCW 28A.230.094 to require each school district to provide this course, which must cover essential topics such as government organization, citizens’ rights and responsibilities, current issues, electoral processes, and the naturalization test. Notably, the bill introduces new content requirements for the civics course starting in the 2026-27 school year, which include voter registration processes, media literacy related to elections and civic engagement, and factors influencing political participation.
Additionally, the bill establishes a framework for the office of the superintendent of public instruction to collaborate with various organizations to develop and provide civics materials and resources. This includes identifying nonpartisan resources for media literacy education and ensuring that these materials are regularly reviewed for relevance. The bill emphasizes the importance of equipping students with the skills to critically engage with media and participate in civic life, addressing the growing concerns about misinformation and civic disengagement among youth. This is a well-written bill with very strong bipartisan support.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5643 aims to expand the scope of child fatality and near fatality reviews to include children, youth, and individuals in the care or custody of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). It establishes that the DCYF must conduct fatality reviews for any child, youth, or individual placed in its care, as well as for those in juvenile rehabilitation facilities. The bill also mandates that the office of the family and children’s ombuds has the authority to communicate privately with these individuals and access relevant information for investigations. Additionally, it clarifies the definition of “near fatality” and outlines the procedures for conducting reviews, including the requirement for a report to be issued within 180 days of a fatality.
Key amendments include the insertion of terms such as “youth” and “individual” throughout the existing laws, broadening the definition of those protected under the reviews. The bill also specifies that the DCYF must conduct reviews for fatalities and near fatalities suspected to be caused by abuse or neglect, including those occurring in juvenile rehabilitation facilities. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of having an independent review team and ensures that the findings of these reviews are made public while protecting confidential information as required by law. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance the safety and oversight of vulnerable populations under the state’s care.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5649 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, SB 5649 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 SB 5649 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
Washington State Senate Bill 5655 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 and there is a significant need for more child care centers in Washington at this time.
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Housing
An act relating to eliminating each local government’s proportional share of Washington’s housing shortage.
Bill Summary
SB 5659 is a needed step toward addressing Washington’s housing crisis by holding local governments accountable for their role in increasing housing supply. The bill ensures that each city, county, and town takes responsibility for approving enough new homes to meet its fair share of the state’s housing shortage by 2035. By requiring the Department of Commerce to calculate and report these housing targets, the bill provides transparency and clear goals for local governments. This legislation also mandates that local governments regularly review their regulations to remove unnecessary barriers to housing development. Sponsor Keith Goehner states: “We’re facing an urgent housing affordability crisis, and the density issue continues to drive the crisis. … This isn’t about government mandates – it’s about reducing bureaucracy and opening the door for new opportunities in housing development.”
If local governments fail to meet their housing obligations, they risk losing certain real estate tax revenue, creating a strong incentive to streamline approval processes. The bill further promotes accountability by tracking building permit approvals and requiring local governments to address high denial rates. If state policies are identified as obstacles to housing development, the bill ensures they are reported to lawmakers for potential reform. With skyrocketing housing costs and a growing population, SB 5659 is a proactive solution that balances local control with statewide responsibility. Supporting this bill means supporting more housing opportunities, lower costs for families, and a stronger economy.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5669 amends Washington State irrigation district election laws to improve the voting process and accessibility for qualified electors. Key provisions include the introduction of mail-in ballots as an alternative to traditional polling places, allowing the board of directors to opt for this method. It mandates that ballots be provided to qualified electors based on district records, and those who believe they are eligible but have not received a ballot can present documentation to obtain one. The bill also updates absentee ballot requirements to ensure they are securely sealed and accompanied by a certificate of qualifications. Additionally, it clarifies voting rights for landowners and establishes new notice requirements to keep qualified electors informed about the election process.
Further amendments focus on election security and transparency, particularly for districts with their own treasurer. The bill outlines strict protocols for ballot handling, securing ballot boxes, and ensuring public observation during the canvassing process. It also introduces a written challenge process for voters contesting ballots and classifies violations of these provisions as gross misdemeanors, with specific penalties for actions such as unauthorized ballot removal or misleading voters. Overall, the bill aims to modernize and secure the election process within irrigation districts, making it more efficient and accessible while enhancing integrity and transparency. The bill has complete bipartisan support.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5670 establishes a new Fuel Tax Assistance Grant Program aimed at providing financial relief to rural school districts in Washington that face increased transportation costs due to rising fuel prices. The program will be administered by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and is specifically designed for school districts with a geographic area of 450 square miles or greater. The funding for this program is contingent upon the availability of appropriated amounts.
Additionally, the bill seeks to include the Fuel Tax Assistance Grant Program as an eligible use of funds from the climate commitment account. This account is intended to support various projects and activities that promote environmental sustainability and address climate change impacts. The legislature has committed to dedicating at least $50 million per biennium from this account for the new grant program, ensuring that rural school districts can receive the necessary support to manage their transportation costs effectively.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5672 amends existing law regarding the certification requirements for long-term care workers, specifically home care aides. It allows the Department of Health to adopt rules granting additional time for long-term care workers to become certified while the Office of the State Auditor conducts a biennial performance audit on training requirements and competency assessments. This extension will remain in effect until 90 days after the adjournment of the legislative session following the publication of the 2026 audit, with the new provisions set to expire on December 31, 2027.
Additionally, the bill clarifies that the certification requirement for long-term care workers is still in place, but with the added flexibility during the audit period. The bill also maintains existing provisions that allow for certification extensions in the event of a pandemic, natural disaster, or other emergencies, ensuring that long-term care workers can still meet certification requirements under challenging circumstances.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5682 is a bipartisan bill that aims to extend the expiration date of the Washington customized employment training program tax credit to July 1, 2031, recognizing the program’s positive impact on businesses and workers. It highlights that 75 percent of participating businesses have successfully completed the customized training and repaid the training allowance, which meets the performance threshold set by the legislature. The bill allows a tax credit equal to 50 percent of a participant’s payments to the employment training finance account, with provisions for carrying over credits to subsequent years. The expiration date for repayment of training allowances is also extended from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2031.
Additionally, the bill mandates a report from the college board by December 31, 2028, detailing the distribution of credit eligibility and qualified training institutions by county, as well as efforts to encourage broader industry participation. The section also includes a performance statement for the tax preference, emphasizing the goal of enhancing workforce development and retaining businesses in Washington. If a review finds that 75 percent of businesses complete the training and repay the loan, the legislature intends to further extend the expiration date of the tax preference. The bill has near-unanimous bipartisan support in the Senate.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5686 reported goal is to enhance the foreclosure mediation program in Washington State by introducing new provisions aimed at supporting unit owners facing potential foreclosure due to delinquent assessments. The bill establishes a framework for housing counselors to assist unit owners. These counselors will prepare unit owners for meetings with associations, advise on necessary documentation, and inform them about alternatives to foreclosure. The bill also mandates a session between the unit owner and the association before mediation can occur, and it prohibits associations from charging attorney fees during the 30-day period following a unit owner’s contact with a housing counselor.
Additionally, the bill modifies existing laws regarding the foreclosure process for homeowners’ associations, specifying requirements for preforeclosure notices and the conditions under which an association can initiate foreclosure actions. It clarifies that a second preforeclosure notice must be sent after a minimum of 90 days of delinquency and at least 60 days after the first notice. The bill establishes the priority of liens held by associations and allows them to recover costs related to the collection of delinquent assessments.
SB 5686 unfairly burdens all homeowners in common interest communities by preventing associations from recovering legal fees incurred during mandated foreclosure prevention processes. This shifts the cost of delinquency resolution—often caused by a single homeowner—onto the rest of the community. The bill treats nonprofit, volunteer-run HOAs the same as large mortgage lenders, imposing complex legal obligations and costs that many small associations cannot absorb. While foreclosure prevention is important, this bill risks destabilizing community associations and increasing costs for responsible homeowners. Please oppose this legislation.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5689 is a life-saving measure that enhances emergency medical response by allowing Washington residents to include their blood type on their driver’s license or identicard. This optional designation ensures that in critical situations, first responders can quickly access essential medical information, reducing the time needed to administer life-saving treatment. Seconds count in emergencies, and this bill provides a simple, cost-effective way to ensure that individuals receive the right care as fast as possible.
The bill ensures that the blood type designation is completely voluntary, allowing residents to decide if they want this information included on their ID. The Department of Licensing will develop secure processes to verify and document blood type, maintaining accuracy and privacy. This initiative aligns with existing medical alert designations already available on state-issued IDs, enhancing Washington’s emergency response system without additional risk or complexity. The Department of Licensing will coordinate with healthcare providers and emergency responders to educate the public on the benefits of including blood type information. A small administrative fee of up to $2 ensures smooth implementation without placing an undue burden on taxpayers.
The legislation also respects privacy laws, ensuring that the information is only accessible to emergency responders and law enforcement when necessary. This bill could make a critical difference for accident victims, people with rare blood types, and those needing urgent transfusions. By providing faster, more efficient emergency care, SB 5689 helps to save lives while maintaining individual choice and privacy. The bill’s approach is practical, effective, and aligns with best practices in medical emergency preparedness. Many countries and states already implement similar measures, demonstrating the effectiveness of including medical information on IDs. By registering PRO, please help save lives and improve emergency response across our state.
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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
Senate Bill 5691 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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Taxes
Concerning the sales and use tax supporting chemical dependency and mental health treatment programs.
Bill Summary
SB 5696 amends an RCW to clarify the use of sales and use tax revenues for chemical dependency and mental health treatment programs, as well as therapeutic court programs. It establishes that the construction of new facilities and modifications to existing structures are acceptable uses of the tax revenues. The bill emphasizes that these programs are part of local government public safety initiatives and outlines the specific purposes for which the collected funds must be utilized, including treatment services, case management, transportation, and housing.
Additionally, the bill details the conditions under which counties and cities can impose the sales and use tax, including provisions for crediting taxes imposed by cities within counties. It specifies the percentage of collected funds that may be used to supplant existing funding for various populations and timelines, ensuring that the primary focus remains on providing new or expanded services. The legislation also allows for the use of funds to support the costs associated with therapeutic court operations, while ensuring that the funds cannot be used to replace lapsed federal funding for these services.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5703 is a common sense reform that upholds fairness for municipal solid waste systems across our cities and counties. The bill removes waste-to-energy facilities from being unfairly burdened under the state’s Cap-and-Invest Program, ensuring they are treated like other essential public services. These facilities play a crucial role in waste management, converting trash into energy rather than allowing it to pile up in landfills. Under current law, however, they face costly carbon credit requirements that drive up waste disposal costs for local governments and taxpayers.
By exempting waste-to-energy facilities that have been in operation since before 1992, this bill protects municipalities from unnecessary financial strain while maintaining responsible environmental policies. The current system disproportionately impacts communities that rely on these facilities, penalizing them for providing efficient waste solutions. SB 5703 corrects this imbalance, helping local governments maintain affordable waste management without sacrificing environmental protections. Waste-to-energy remains a cleaner alternative to landfills, which release harmful methane into the atmosphere without energy recovery.
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Safety
Improving traffic safety by modifying penalty amounts for certain traffic infractions.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5705 aims to improve traffic safety by modifying penalty amounts for various traffic infractions across multiple sections of Washington state law. The bill introduces escalating penalties for repeat offenders within two-year periods for several traffic-related violations, including following too closely, speeding, negligent driving, and using personal electronic devices while driving. Specifically, for these infractions, a second or subsequent violation within two years will result in a fine double the base penalty amount, though courts retain some discretion to waive or reduce the fine.
The bill also adds a new provision that increases penalties for using a personal electronic device in school, playground, or crosswalk speed zones, with a mandatory double penalty that cannot be waived or reduced. The changes are intended to create stronger deterrents for repeated traffic violations and enhance overall road safety by imposing more significant consequences for drivers who repeatedly engage in risky behavior.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5708 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
Senate Bill 5710 addresses diesel vessel procurement for the Washington State Ferries by authorizing the department of transportation to contract for the acquisition of clean diesel ferry vessels to replace the current Issaquah class. The bill allows the department to use multiple procurement methods, including design-build, design-bid-build, or lease-to-buy options, and provides flexibility in the vessel acquisition process. Notably, the bill includes a 13 percent bid price credit for vessels constructed in Washington state, which represents the economic impact and additional costs associated with out-of-state shipbuilding.
The legislation exempts these vessel procurement contracts from certain standard procurement requirements and allows the department to postpone hybrid electric vessel conversions if service problems might arise. The bill also includes provisions for independent oversight, such as employing third-party experts to monitor the vessel procurement process, and requires contractors to meet various state and federal requirements related to apprenticeships, environmental standards, and business enterprise goals. An emergency clause is included, indicating the immediate importance of the legislation for public safety and state transportation infrastructure.
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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
Senate Bill 5716 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, SB 5716 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
Senate Bill 5721 mandates that all automobile insurance policies with first-party coverage for physical damage, issued or renewed after January 1, 2026, must allow an appraisal provision to resolve disputes over the actual cash value and amount of loss for damaged vehicles if the parties cannot agree on the loss amount. The process involves each party selecting a competent and disinterested appraiser, who will assess the loss and, if necessary, appoint an umpire to resolve disagreements. The appraisers must complete their evaluations within 30 days, and if the appraisal results in a loss amount that exceeds the insurer’s prior adjustment by $500 or more, the insurer is required to reimburse the policyholder for appraisal costs. Additionally, the bill stipulates that neither party can demand an appraisal until 10 days after the insurer has received notification of the claim. The commissioner is also granted the authority to adopt necessary rules for implementing this section.
This legislation introduces unnecessary complexity, increased costs, and potential delays in the automobile insurance claims process. By mandating an appraisal clause in every policy, the bill risks raising premiums for all policyholders to cover the administrative and legal costs of disputes, even when the insurer’s estimate was reasonable. It opens the door to abuse by incentivizing policyholders to challenge minor differences, while creating a duplicative process that overlaps with existing consumer protections. Moreover, the authority granted to the insurance commissioner to appoint umpires and establish rules adds an element of government overreach that could lead to inconsistent implementation and unintended consequences.
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Taxes
Establishing new sources of transportation revenue based on motor vehicle use of public roadways.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5726 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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Housing
Encouraging construction of affordable housing by streamlining the permitting process.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5729 aims to address the housing crisis in Washington state by streamlining the permitting process for affordable housing construction. It introduces a new section emphasizing the need to expedite permit approvals, which have been identified as a significant barrier to increasing housing units. The bill amends existing laws to clarify that local governments must base project reviews on adopted comprehensive plans and development regulations, and it limits the scope of project reviews by prohibiting reexamination of certain alternatives and appeals, except for code interpretation issues.
Key provisions include the establishment of a process where building permit applications prepared by licensed professionals are deemed complete by local building departments, thereby reducing delays. Additionally, the bill mandates that local governments must exclude specific project permits from certain review provisions, particularly for minor alterations and expansions that do not significantly impact site layout or require extensive environmental review. Overall, the legislation seeks to facilitate quicker approvals for housing projects, thereby contributing to the alleviation of the housing shortage in the state.
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Housing
An act relating to creating greater accountability for increasing the supply of housing consistent with growth management.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5732 aims to address Washington’s rising need for housing availability. It ensures cities and counties actively track and expand their housing supply. By requiring timely permit processing, the bill helps remove bureaucratic delays that slow down home construction and drive up costs. This bill adds closing the housing availability gap as a core goal of the Growth Management Act (GMA), checking that local governments are not just planning for housing but also making measurable progress. It requires local governments to track and report on their housing development efforts, creating greater transparency and accountability.
Local governments will now be required to adopt policies that monitor housing growth, ensuring that they are actively working to meet regional housing needs. The Governor will have the authority to impose sanctions on jurisdictions that fail to comply, preventing local inaction that worsens housing shortages. This bill streamlines land-use planning by ensuring housing development is factored into comprehensive plans and zoning regulations. More housing supply means lower home prices and rents, making housing more affordable for working families, seniors, and young professionals. This bill is a practical solution to spur development.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5733 cuts through bureaucratic delays to ensure that local governments can expedite housing development. Currently, comprehensive plans can only be amended once per year, creating bottlenecks that slow down new housing projects and prevent communities from adapting to urgent housing needs. This bill adds housing-related amendments to the list of exceptions, allowing local governments to update zoning and permitting regulations more frequently. By allowing these changes to happen as needed, SB 5733 removes unnecessary delays that drive up housing costs and worsen supply shortages. This reform reduces red tape and administrative barriers, ensuring that local governments can prioritize housing development without waiting months or even years for approval cycles. Developers, homeowners, and renters will all benefit from a system that is more responsive to the realities of Washington’s growing population. By making the approval process more efficient and dynamic, Washington can increase housing availability and lower costs for residents.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5740 is an important reform to balance tenant rights and landlord protections, while ensuring a fair and streamlined eviction process. This bill allows superior courts to appoint commissioners to handle eviction cases more efficiently, reducing delays that impact both landlords and tenants. It clarifies tenant responsibilities in responding to eviction notices, ensuring that disputes are resolved fairly and promptly. Additionally, the bill expands the list of legitimate reasons for eviction, such as criminal activity and repeated violations, making rental communities safer. By removing unnecessary procedural barriers, landlords can reclaim their properties in justified situations without prolonged legal hurdles.
The bill also modifies summons requirements to ensure tenants are properly notified while preventing undue delays in legal proceedings. It strengthens the ability of landlords to remove tenants engaged in dangerous activities, including gang-related crime or unlawful firearm use. The bill also simplifies just cause eviction rules, allowing landlords to end leases under fair and transparent conditions with appropriate notice. It ensures transitional housing programs operate effectively, preventing abuse while maintaining housing stability for those who need it. Legal protections for indigent tenants remain intact, but with proper verification to ensure resources are allocated to those who qualify. The bill removes excessive financial penalties on landlords in wrongful eviction cases while maintaining fairness in legal disputes. It also removes unnecessary procedural delays that prevent landlords from addressing unsafe or disruptive tenants. This legislation balances the rights of all parties by ensuring due process while reducing burdensome and inefficient regulations. It provides stronger legal clarity for property owners while protecting tenants from unfair treatment. By supporting SB 5740, we support a more stable, predictable, and safe rental market.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5745 amends various sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) to enhance the legal framework surrounding involuntary treatment for individuals with behavioral health disorders. It introduces new definitions, such as “state facility,” which includes specific facilities operated by the Department of Social and Health Services, and clarifies the definition of “substance use disorder.” The bill also expands the definition of “treatment records” to encompass a broader range of documentation related to behavioral health services while excluding personal notes from treatment providers. Additionally, it updates terminology related to mental health and substance use treatment, ensuring alignment with current practices.
Moreover, the bill establishes a framework for legal representation in civil commitment cases, mandating that counties provide appointed counsel for individuals detained under mental health laws, regardless of their county of origin. It outlines the reimbursement process for legal services and specifies that no filing fees may be charged for civil commitment cases subject to reimbursement. The bill also emphasizes the importance of individualized treatment plans for minors and clarifies the roles of various professionals involved in mental health care. Overall, the amendments aim to improve access to legal support and enhance the clarity and effectiveness of mental health services in Washington State. The bill has very strong bipartisan support.
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Safety
Creating an advisory committee on electric vehicle charger infrastructure property crime.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5746 establishes an advisory committee focused on addressing property crimes related to electric vehicle charger infrastructure in Washington State. This committee will operate under the Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council and will include a diverse range of representatives, such as members from law enforcement, the attorney general’s office, local government, and the electric vehicle services industry. The committee’s responsibilities include providing guidance on reducing electric vehicle charger property crime, responding to legislative inquiries, and reporting its findings and recommendations in the council’s annual report. The committee is required to meet regularly and will be active until its expiration date of July 1, 2027. The legislation has unanimous bipartisan support in the Senate.
EV chargers have become a prime target nationwide and in Washington as thieves look to make a quick buck by selling charger cables for recycling. Last year a trade publication reported about 100 thefts of EV charging equipment in Seattle, rendering about 5.6 percent of the city’s 1,780 chargers at least temporarily unusable. The State Department of Transportation reported that total wire theft on its properties cost taxpayers $1.5 million between 2021 and 2024.
“Whether we are talking about a coordinated effort to steal charger cords for their copper recycling value, or hooligans who wreck chargers just to be ornery, these crimes have a serious impact on our efforts to promote electric vehicles,” said Jeff Wilson, R-Longview. “Criminal gangs are getting involved, and these property crimes are skyrocketing.” Wilson continued, “Two years ago I passed a bill requiring scrap metal dealers to check ID and record information when people bring EV charger components in for recycling. That might help deter some thefts, but unfortunately this has become so lucrative that theft rings have become organized. The Legislature needs expert advice if it is going to slam the brakes on this crime. We’ve been intent on deploying charging stations across the state, but that’s really just the beginning. We also have to figure out how to keep the thieves and vandals away.”
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5747 supports affordable housing development, making it easier, faster, and more cost-effective to build and renovate homes for low- and moderate-income families. The bill allows affordable housing projects to use any of the previous four building code standards or the latest international building codes, giving developers flexibility to reduce construction costs while maintaining safety and quality. By also permitting projects to adhere to previous energy code standards, the bill removes unnecessary regulatory barriers that drive up costs and delay much-needed housing projects. This legislation accelerates the construction of affordable housing, ensuring that working families, seniors, and those in need can find stable homes without unnecessary red tape.
The 12-year Multi-Family Property Tax Exemption (MFTE) program, which incentivizes the development of affordable housing, will now be more practical and attractive for builders. This means more rental units will be available at affordable prices, helping communities keep pace with housing demand. The bill does not compromise safety but instead provides builders with reasonable flexibility in using tried-and-tested building codes. It ensures that housing remains affordable by reducing excessive regulatory costs, allowing resources to go directly into home construction rather than bureaucratic hurdles.
For homeowners, the bill defines affordable housing as housing within reach of low- and moderate-income households, ensuring policies support real people in need. By cutting unnecessary restrictions, this legislation removes roadblocks that slow down housing projects, helping to address the state’s housing crisis. Lower development costs translate to lower rents and increased homeownership opportunities, benefiting families and individuals struggling with rising housing costs.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5748 offers an innovative solution to make development more affordable by incentivizing the reduction or elimination of impact fees. The bill allows cities and counties to replace traditional impact fees with a local sales and use tax, though it requires voter approval to do so. This tax would be capped at a rate of 1% and can only be enacted if a local government significantly reduces impact fees by at least 50%. By allowing for a substantial reduction or outright elimination of impact fees, this bill reduces the financial burden on developers, ultimately making new housing and businesses more affordable in rapidly growing areas.
Cities and counties would retain local control over how these tax revenues are spent, ensuring they go directly to the public facilities for which impact fees would have been collected, such as roads, parks, schools, and fire protection services. This will make development easier and faster, which is essential to meet the demands of a growing population. The ability to review the tax rate every three years ensures that it stays balanced with development costs and prevents unnecessary taxation. Such a system removes the financial barriers that can delay or even prevent the construction of much-needed housing and business expansions. With clear and targeted use of tax revenues, SB 5748 provides a transparent and accountable model for funding local infrastructure. This is a win-win for both developers and the communities that desperately need new homes and services.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5749 aims to address the housing supply crisis in Washington State by allowing cities and code cities to designate “housing development opportunity zones.” These zones can be established in areas with existing large commercial developments, such as shopping malls and vacant stores, to prioritize residential and mixed-use development. The bill outlines that cities can utilize existing infrastructure and may waive impact fees to reduce development costs. Additionally, the resolutions or ordinances for these zones are exempt from certain planning requirements, allowing for more flexible implementation.
To ensure accountability, the bill mandates an evaluation by the joint legislative audit and review committee to assess the number of housing units, particularly affordable housing units, created in these zones. If the review indicates that affordable housing has not increased, the legislature intends to repeal the authorization for these zones. The act is set to expire on July 1, 2045, and requires cities to cooperate with the committee in providing necessary data for the evaluation.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5753 creates a public housing task force, but it fails to take real action to address Washington’s housing crisis. Instead of promoting immediate, tangible solutions like zoning reform or incentivizing private sector development, this bill allocates time and resources on another government study. Housing shortages are a real and urgent problem, yet this bill delays progress for at least two more years while a task force discusses potential strategies.
Washington already has multiple housing agencies and programs—adding another committee to “review” issues does nothing to lower housing costs or increase supply. The bill relies on government-controlled housing instead of encouraging market-driven solutions that build homes faster and more efficiently. A state-run public housing model is expensive, slow, and prone to mismanagement, leading to long-term taxpayer burdens.
By focusing on publicly constructed and operated mixed-income housing, this task force ignores the need to reform permitting processes and reduce regulatory barriers—the real drivers of the housing crisis. Instead of empowering local governments and private developers, this bill centralizes more control at the state level, increasing inefficiencies. Washington residents deserve real, immediate housing solutions, not another taxpayer-funded task force that will likely produce yet another lengthy report.
Bill Summary
Bipartisan Senate Bill 5757 amends an RCW to enhance the regulation and oversight of automated traffic safety cameras used by cities and counties in Washington. The bill requires local legislative authorities to conduct an analysis of proposed camera locations, considering the impact on vulnerable road users, before installation or relocation. Additionally, the bill mandates that cities and counties must post annual reports detailing traffic crash statistics and the use of revenue generated from camera fines, with specific allocations for low-income communities and areas with high injury crash rates.
Significant changes include the stipulation that 50% of all revenue from automated traffic safety camera infractions must be deposited into the state motor vehicle fund. The bill also introduces provisions for reduced penalties for low-income individuals receiving public assistance, and it establishes guidelines for the use of an online ability-to-pay calculator for fine reductions. Furthermore, it clarifies that infractions detected by these cameras will not affect the registered owner’s driving record and sets a maximum fine of $145, adjustable for inflation, with potential doubling for school zone violations.
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Taxes
Expanding local taxing authority to fund public safety and community protection focused programs and services.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5775 sets a dangerous precedent by allowing significant tax increases without direct public approval. By bypassing voter approval, the bill undermines the democratic process, stripping citizens of their say in how additional taxes are levied and spent. It would expand local taxing authority by allowing counties and cities to impose a public safety sales and use tax without voter approval. It grants local governments the power to collect this tax, starting for cities on December 31, 2025. Citizens deserve to preserve democratic oversight of taxation for our communities.
In addition, counties are given the option to impose a separate criminal justice sales and use tax of 0.1 percent that does not require voter approval and is shared with cities on a per capita basis. This means that local officials can unilaterally decide on tax rates and spending allocations without the community’s direct input. Taxpayers already pay more than enough for public safety. An additional tax burden is not needed. The crime problem is not a lack of money, but includes a lack of proper punishment for crime, an undermining of police use, and far too many “soft-on-crime” judges.
Bill Summary
A decade after the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus led a historic effort to cut tuition and restore affordability in higher education, Washington Democrats are now pushing legislation to undo that important progress, and increase costs for working and middle-class families. Senate Republican leaders are calling out the financial harm this legislation would cause to students and families across the state. SB 5785 proposes to raise tuition by 5% above the statutory cap beginning in the 2026-27 school year. This means every student entering college that year would pay more than $700 extra in their first year at UW, with cumulative increased costs exceeding $3,200 over four years. The impacts of this hike will be felt across the board, with rising costs year after year for families. Adding insult to injury, SB 5785 would also reduce state financial aid by nearly $200 million over the next four years through a complex formula change that will make it harder for families to afford college.
“This is an outright assault on college affordability,” said Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, who sponsored the 2015 College Affordability Program. “Ten years ago, we passed a historic tuition cut—the first ever in state history—ensuring Washington’s students could afford a high-quality education. Now, Democrats would roll back that progress by hiking tuition beyond the current statutory cap and slashing financial aid.” “This bill is a double hit to students—it raises tuition while cutting financial aid,” said Sen. Warnick, R-Moses Lake. “It’s a reckless move that undermines our commitment to making college affordable and accessible.”
Senate Republicans argue that Democrats are repeating past mistakes by proposing to increase the financial burden on students and families. The 2015 tuition cuts were a direct response to skyrocketing tuition in the wake of the Great Recession, when the state slashed higher education funding and forced students to shoulder the difference. “The Democrats claim they’ve learned from past mistakes, but this bill proves otherwise,” said Braun. “We saw what happened last time tuition spiked—families struggled, students took on more debt, and college became less accessible. We cannot let history repeat itself.” Senate Republicans are urging the Legislature to reject SB 5785 and stand by the College Affordability Program that has benefited students and families for the past decade.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5786 is another tax increase. It increases fees for a wide range of liquor licenses, permits, and endorsements. The bill affects nearly every category of alcohol-related business, from small wineries and breweries to restaurants, nightclubs, grocery stores, and even special occasion event hosts. In many cases, fees are raised by 50%, with some licenses—like the spirits importer license and grocery store license—seeing increases from a few hundred dollars to over $2,000.
These fees are “tax happy”. They are excessive, arbitrary, and implemented without proper consultation with the businesses they affect. Instead of being a measured update, this bill represents a blunt financial hit. The hospitality industry, including small craft distilleries, bars, and event organizers, is still recovering from the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Imposing steep cost hikes now could put further strain on these businesses. For example, increasing a grocery store liquor license fee from $150 to $2,100 is a massive leap that could deter smaller retailers from participating in the market altogether.
Moreover, this fee hike could lead to higher prices for consumers and discourage new entrants from starting businesses, ultimately stifling innovation and local economic growth. Craft distilleries and small wineries, which contribute to tourism and community identity, may be especially harmed—forced to reduce operations or close due to regulatory cost burdens. SB 5786 is a blanket 50% tax spike that will hurt liveliness, small businesses, and job creation. We need a government that supports—not punishes—local business owners working hard to serve their communities.
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Taxes
Adopting recommendations from the tax preference performance review process, eliminating obsolete tax preferences, clarifying legislative intent, and addressing changes in constitutional law.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5794 is a back door tax increase impacting a wide range of industries and taxpayers. While framed as a technical update aligned with performance reviews and constitutional changes, the bill effectively amounts to a stealth tax increase on businesses, investors, consumers, and working families. Here are seven of the key tax increases:
• By eliminating deductions for interest on real estate loans, the bill will raise borrowing costs for homebuyers and small lenders—worsening housing affordability at a time when the state faces a dire housing crisis.
• The removal of the preferential B&O tax rate for prescription drug resellers will likely increase medication costs for patients, creating a ripple effect in public health spending.
• The repeal of the sales tax exemption on precious metals undermines both investors seeking financial security and small dealers in the bullion trade. This move discourages prudent savings and investment practices, and unfairly targets an industry that often operates on thin margins.
• Repealing the B&O tax exemption for credit unions merging with banks penalizes small, community-based financial institutions striving to stay competitive and solvent.
• Similarly, the repeal of energy bill discounts for low-income residents—achieved by eliminating the Home Energy Assistance PUT credit—disproportionately harms the state’s most vulnerable households.
• The bill also targets the rental storage industry by imposing the full B&O tax rate on self-storage unit rentals, removing a longstanding exemption that recognized these rentals as real estate. This change will increase costs for thousands of Washingtonians who rely on self-storage during life transitions, emergencies, or small business operations.
• The removal of international investment and banking preferences damages Washington’s competitiveness in the global financial services sector, driving away firms that bring high-paying jobs and large-scale capital investment.
Collectively, these changes signal a hostile shift in Washington’s business climate and disregard the economic benefits these preferences have historically provided. Rather than adjusting preferences in a targeted, evidence-based manner, the bill takes a blunt instrument approach—eliminating incentives that support housing, healthcare, financial inclusion, investment, and global commerce. It raises taxes through the back door without public debate on the merits of each provision, undercutting transparency and accountability. Citizens should reject SB 5794 as an overreaching, anti-growth measure that raises costs for families, undermines key sectors, and erodes Washington’s economic resilience.
Bill Summary
According to Senate Democrats, SB 5795 is a move toward making Washington’s tax system easier for everyone, especially working families. This bill reduces the retail sales tax rate from 6.5% to 6% starting January 1, 2027. Democratic lawmakers claim that by reducing the state sales tax rate, this bill provides direct, immediate relief to low- and middle-income households who currently pay a disproportionate share of their income in sales and use taxes. Historically, Washington has one of the most regressive tax systems in the country.
Sales tax is applied universally—whether you’re buying groceries, school supplies, clothes, or household goods—and lower-income families feel that impact more deeply. Cutting the tax rate can help working people afford essential needs and better cope with rising costs of housing, child care, and healthcare. It’s a practical, broad-based way to put more money back in people’s pockets without requiring complex tax credits or applications.
It has been said that you “don’t look a gift horse in the mouth”; therefore, we are recommending you register ‘PRO’ on this legislation. However, please be aware that Democrats are using this tax break as a ‘smoke screen’ to distract attention from their proposed budget which includes $20 billion dollars in tax increases. Their budget includes a property tax bill that could allow your current 1% annual cap to increase by 3 to 4.5% a year. This will not only affect homeowners but owners of large rental properties. Those tax increases will, in turn, result in annual rent increases that will likely far outweigh a .5% sales tax break. Democrats are also floating a 6-cents-per-gallon state gas tax that will most certainly impact low- and middle-income households. Finally, critics argue that lowering the sales tax could lead to decreased state revenue, which is crucial for funding essential services like education and public safety. They caution that while the intent is noble, the long-term effects on the state’s budget could be detrimental.
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Taxes
Enacting an excise tax on large employers on the amount of payroll expenses above the social security wage threshold to fund programs and services to benefit Washingtonians.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5796 is – yet again – another major tax on businesses and those who create quality jobs in our state. The bill is a dangerous expansion of government power and a harmful precedent for Washington’s economy because it imposes a 5% excise tax on large employers’ payroll expenses above the Social Security wage cap. The bill’s sponsor Sen. Rebecca Saldaña (D) points out: “This tax would apply only to large employers with payroll expenses exceeding $7 million annually — about 5,289 businesses statewide.” But while it claims to only impact 17% of businesses, the reality is that it directly targets companies that create high-paying jobs, potentially discouraging investment, growth, and hiring within the state.
The tax is a way for Democrats to “make up” for their reckless spending in order to close the self-inflicted budget deficit they created. Though it promises to fund education, healthcare, and social services, the tax is levied regardless of a company’s profitability, meaning even businesses operating on tight margins but paying competitive wages will be penalized. It also duplicates existing taxes, adding complexity and red tape without solving Washington’s core structural tax issues. What’s worse, the bill includes heavy-handed enforcement measures like property seizures, public liens, business injunctions, and even authorizing the state to garnish third parties. This sets a dangerous precedent for government intrusion into private enterprise.
The bill also introduces a convoluted appeals process, bureaucratic hurdles, and vague language around “willful” non-compliance, leaving employers vulnerable to steep penalties and arbitrary enforcement. While the state’s regressive tax system does need reform, SB 5796 sidesteps real tax equity solutions and instead punishes productivity and success. Washington is already one of the worst states in the nation to run a business, and this bill will make it worse. It will drive innovation and opportunity out of Washington, and along with it, high-quality jobs.
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Taxes
Enacting a tax on stocks, bonds, and other financial intangible assets for the benefit of public schools.
Bill Summary
Of all the taxes Democrats wish to impose upon us, Senate Bill 5797 is considered “the most controversial measure,” reports MyNorthwest.com. It seeks to tax a massive $4 billion out of our economy and put it into the hands of government. It imposes a tax on financial intangible assets, such as stocks and bonds, by mandating a tax rate of $10 for every $1,000 of the “true and fair value” of these assets, but only affects those holding assets valued above a staggering $50 million. While the stated goal is to reduce wealth inequality and bolster school funding, the bill’s approach could have far-reaching negative economic impacts. The tax not only targets a tiny fraction of wealthy individuals, but it also risks penalizing sound financial investments and discouraging capital accumulation. This policy introduces complex valuation methods that could lead to administrative burdens and costly legal disputes over asset assessments. Moreover, the law forces individuals and entities to navigate intricate rules, exemptions, and penalties that may be both confusing and punitive.
This bill is also an invasion of financial privacy. Critically, this bill represents a move towards a more intrusive state role in personal financial affairs, where even well-managed investment portfolios could be subject to heavy taxation. The potential for substantial penalties in cases of valuation understatements may lead to a climate of fear and over-compliance among investors. Instead of encouraging responsible economic behavior, this measure could stifle innovation and risk-taking in the financial sector. It may indeed hurt the creation of high-quality jobs. While the promise of better-funded public schools sounds appealing, it comes at the expense of discouraging investment practices that drive economic growth and job creation. The administrative complexity introduced by the bill could ultimately cost the state more in enforcement than it raises in revenue, thereby undermining the very educational benefits it claims to support. Furthermore, the tax could have unintended ripple effects on Washington’s overall competitiveness by making the state less attractive to high-net-worth individuals and businesses. That means, in short, fewer jobs.
Bill Summary
Here we go again: Now the Democrats aim to increase your property tax from 1% to 3% (or more), which may sound small, but may indeed tax many people right out of their own homes. By removing the longstanding 1% annual cap on property tax, the bill increases and replaces it with a formula tied to both inflation and population growth. This change would dramatically accelerate the growth of property taxes across the state, hitting homeowners, landlords, and small businesses alike with escalating tax burdens year after year. While the bill claims to support essential services like education, public safety, and community health, it does so by pushing the cost onto property owners—many of whom are already struggling with rising housing costs.
The bill’s formula for calculating tax increases is vague and overly complex, making it difficult for taxpayers to anticipate or plan for future liabilities. Additionally, local governments could increase their property tax collections significantly if they simply declare a “substantial need,” which could easily be manipulated to justify nearly any expense. This undermines taxpayer protections and accountability. SB 5798 does little to shield middle-income families or renters, who may indirectly bear the cost of higher property taxes through increased rent. In a time of affordability crises across Washington, SB 5798 threatens to make homeownership and renting even more expensive.
This tax is a key feature of a larger package of taxes that will hurt Washington families. Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, notes that the Democrats’ budget proposal would “crush Washington’s working families.” “This proposal includes a devastating set of tax increases — the largest in state history — all so Democrats can continue their record-breaking spending,” Couture said. “If this budget passes, it will drive jobs out of Washington state, price people out of their homes and hurt the working class.”
Bill Summary
The Washington gas tax is currently 49.4 cents, which is the third-highest in the country. Senate Bill 5801 places another tax burden upon the shoulders of everyday Washingtonians because this bill hikes the state fuel tax by another 6 cents per gallon, with automatic annual inflation adjustments, making driving even more expensive year after year. This tax especially harms rural residents and working-class commuters who depend on their vehicles. Additionally, electric and hybrid vehicle owners, who have already made environmentally conscious decisions, will face increases in registration fees—up to $275 annually—with those fees also subject to indefinite inflation-based increases. Even newly purchased electric bikes will be hit with a 10% surcharge, hurting green transit choices.
For more details, the bill nearly doubles rental car and peer-to-peer car share taxes, and it also introduces a $1 per ticket transportation tax on large events, raising the cost of community and sporting activities for families. Worse, toll exemptions for transit buses and vanpools will be eliminated, forcing public transit agencies to either absorb the cost or pass it on to riders. Meanwhile, driver’s license and registration service fees go up across the board, adding more bureaucracy and costs for residents simply trying to stay compliant. Although some revenues are earmarked for programs like climate-friendly infrastructure, these benefits are overshadowed by the regressive nature of the taxes and fees, which disproportionately hurt low- and middle-income individuals. The bill even allows continued tolling on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge after all construction costs are paid off, effectively turning tolls into a permanent tax.
Led by Democrats in both chambers, the Senate’s plan would boost the gas tax by 6 cents, while the House would bump the tax a whopping 9 cents. The root problem is not inflation, not rising construction costs, and not population increases. No, the root problem is once again reckless spending across the board on many other pet-welfare programs supported by Democrats. Those programs need to be abolished or cut dramatically, and safe and efficient roads should be a top priority. In short, SB 5801 nickel-and-dimes Washington residents while eroding public trust and increasing the cost of living. This bill deserves a strong CON vote.
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Transportation
Rebalancing statutory fund transfers and revenue dedications for transportation.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5802 seeks to adjust the statutory fund transfers and revenue allocations for transportation in Washington State by amending several existing laws. It introduces new transfer amounts for the Connecting Washington account, starting with $11,658,000 from September 2025 to June 2027 and decreasing to $4,056,000 from September 2029 to June 2031. Additionally, the bill mandates an annual transfer of $31,000,000 from the general fund to the Move Ahead WA flexible account for fiscal years 2026 through 2038, which is a reduction from the previously proposed $57,000,000 for fiscal years 2024 through 2038. The bill also modifies the public works assistance account to facilitate transfers to the Move Ahead WA account and establishes a new tax structure for hazardous substances and petroleum products, specifically allocating funds for transportation stormwater activities.
Moreover, the bill revises tax laws concerning tangible personal property, digital goods, and services, introducing a provision that requires 0.3 percent of taxes collected to be deposited into the multimodal transportation account starting July 1, 2027. The tax deferral process for state route improvement projects is also revised, requiring entities to complete payment of deferred taxes by June 30, 2026, and ensuring that non-toll accounts used for these payments are reimbursed by toll revenues by specified deadlines. Importantly, the bill states that no interest will be charged on deferred taxes during the deferral period, although other penalties for delinquent payments may still apply.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5804 is another tax bill masquerading as legislation to address the critical habitat loss impacting salmon and steelhead populations in Washington State, primarily due to hydropower dams and road culverts that hinder fish passage. To meet legal obligations from a federal court injunction, the legislature proposes the creation of special tax obligation bonds funded by a new 2.011 percent tax on the gross income of light and power utility projects. This initiative aims to raise up to $5 billion for salmon recovery and habitat restoration projects, with strict provisions ensuring that the bond proceeds are exclusively allocated for fish habitat restoration efforts identified in response to the federal injunction.
Key amendments include the establishment of the federal injunction salmon habitat restoration account and the federal injunction salmon habitat bond retirement account, along with changes to tax rates for light and power businesses. The bill also empowers the state finance committee to manage bond payments and issue refunding bonds as necessary. A contingency clause is included, stipulating that if the Washington State Supreme Court rules against the issuance of these special tax obligations, certain sections of the act will expire, allowing the legislature to reallocate available funds into the federal injunction salmon habitat account.
As noted by Nancy Churchill, $5 billon dollars is an astronomical amount of new tax revenue without a vote of the people. The bond repayment will be backed strictly by the new utility tax and paid for by PUD customers. The bond will not be paid for out of the state’s general fund. Current power and light taxes being directed to the Public Works Assistance Account will still be collected but will now be redirected to the state’s general fund for other projects. Please register ‘Con’ on this ‘bait and switch’ legislation.
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Health Care
Concerning wellness incentives for public and school employee health benefit plans.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5807 amends existing laws related to wellness incentives for public and school employee health benefit plans in Washington. The bill states that the public employees’ benefits board will discontinue the smart health program by January 1, 2028, which includes the wellness incentive and online portal. Employees who qualify for the wellness incentive by December 31, 2027, will still receive it during the 2028 plan year, but with no new wellness incentives being offered after that date.
Based on the language of SB 5807, the elimination of the Smart Health program appears to be primarily a cost-cutting measure, but it’s being framed as a strategic shift in wellness policy. The bill retains general support for wellness, preventive care, and chronic disease management; however, it does not propose a specific replacement but states only that “wellness initiatives” should continue focusing on proven strategies. That suggests no new program is ready to replace Smart Health—a red flag if the goal were truly to improve or evolve wellness offerings. Eliminating financial incentives may reduce employee participation in preventive health programs such as smoking cessation and nutrition education. Not surprisingly, less engagement in wellness will likely lead to higher health care costs over time due to preventable conditions. In addition, employees will view this as a cut to benefits, especially those who relied on or valued the incentive as part of their total compensation.
Given the exorbitant salaries of educational administrators and the waste of taxpayers’ money spent on programs such as DEI and comprehensive sexual education, it is sad this bill chooses to forego incentives to improve employees’ health as a means to saving money. If the state had strong data showing the Smart Health program was highly effective and cost-saving in the long term, it would be harder to justify scrapping it without a clear alternative.
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Taxes
Establishing a tax on certain business activities related to surpluses generated under the zero-emission vehicle program.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5811 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
Investing in the state’s paramount duty to fund K-12 education and build strong and safe communities.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5812 is another property tax. At its core, the bill alters the long-standing property tax growth limit from a fixed 1% to a more complex formula of 100% plus inflation and population growth, with a cap at 103%. This change would erode critical protections for taxpayers and open the door to escalating property taxes, especially in fast-growing regions. Homeowners, especially seniors and low-income residents on fixed incomes, would be increasingly burdened with unpredictable tax increases tied to demographic shifts and economic inflation, rather than to community need or voter approval. The bill is wrapped in “Let’s fund education” language, but make no mistake that this tax is a direct attack against homeowners and renters, too, since their rent will likely increase.
Furthermore, SB 5812 removes the ability of taxing districts to override inflation-based limits through a public process—a quiet but significant erosion of local control and transparency. The bill also creates a complex workgroup under the Superintendent of Public Instruction to recommend further funding formula changes, but its scope is capped by the very revenue growth the bill initiates, artificially restricting long-term innovation and real reform. In effect, SB 5812 represents a massive, top-down expansion of property tax authority and state control over local education funding without sufficient voter oversight or safeguards. Citizens should reject SB 5812 in favor of more balanced, community-driven solutions to funding public education.
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Taxes
Increasing funding to the education legacy trust account by creating a more progressive rate structure for the capital gains tax and estate tax.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5813 increases the capital gains tax rate. The bill would impose an additional 2.9% tax on long-term capital gains exceeding $1 million, on top of the existing 7% capital gains tax, creating a punitive 9.9% total rate. This kind of tax structure targets individuals who have invested wisely or built wealth over decades, including small business owners and retirees who may experience a one-time windfall.
Moreover, the bill dramatically increases the top marginal estate tax rate to 35%, while only modestly raising the exemption threshold to $3 million. This change effectively punishes family-owned businesses, farms, and generational wealth transfers, forcing heirs to liquidate assets simply to pay tax liabilities. Washington already has one of the few standalone state-level estate taxes, and this bill would make it among the most burdensome in the nation. Such a structure could drive successful residents to relocate to states with more favorable tax climates, ultimately reducing the state’s long-term tax base.
While it is true that many voters supported the original capital gains tax in 2024, this bill exceeds that mandate by dramatically expanding the tax burden and scope. It opens the door to further tax increases by rebranding them as “progressive” or “just,” even when they fall heavily on middle-class families with inherited property or small business assets. Washington should pursue broader tax reform that does not rely on punishing productivity, savings, and intergenerational success.
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Taxes
Modernizing the excise taxes on select services and nicotine products and requiring certain large businesses to make a one-time prepayment of state sales tax collection.
Bill Summary
House Bill 5814 is one of several bills that collectively impose taxation on citizens of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. Notably, it targets nicotine products, a recurring theme in recent legislative initiatives, including HB 1203, HB 1534, and HB 2033. Similar to other bills (e.g., HB 2033), HB 5814 may impose a burden on consumers seeking safer alternatives to cigarettes, such as nicotine pouches and non-combustible products, as a means of cessation.
Furthermore, the bill taxes businesses, those who create employment opportunities, by requiring them to make a one-time prepayment of state sales tax collections. This request is particularly concerning as it demands businesses not only serve as their tax collectors but also pre-pay sales tax on uncollected revenue. This practice raises serious questions about the government’s intentions and the potential impact on businesses and job creation. The primary sponsor of HB 5814, Senator Noel Frame (D-Seattle), is widely recognized for being among the most tax-increasing legislators in the Legislature. Therefore, it is imperative for citizens to register against this legislation that threatens businesses and job opportunities.
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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
Senate Bill 5815 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. SB 5815 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, SB 5815 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.
Bill Summary
Senate Joint Memorial 8002 expresses opposition to the privatization of Medicare and advocating for reforms to strengthen Original Medicare. It highlights the efficiency of Original Medicare, which has low administrative costs, and raises concerns about the financial burdens imposed by privatized Medicare programs, such as Medicare Advantage, which can take a significant portion of funds for administration and profits. The memorial cites reports of fraudulent practices that have led to substantial overcharging of the Medicare trust fund and beneficiaries, urging the federal government to take action to protect vulnerable populations.
The memorial criticizes Medicare Advantage and other private Medicare-related programs, but many believe that privatization introduces competition, leading to better services and efficiency. Medicare Advantage often provides extra benefits like dental, vision, and wellness programs that Original Medicare does not cover. Although the memorial advocates for expanding Original Medicare to cover more services and eliminate copays, this will likely lead to higher government spending and potential tax increases. In addition, Medicare Advantage plans currently serve over 50% of Medicare beneficiaries. Rolling back privatization efforts or discouraging Medicare Advantage could force millions of seniors to transition back to Original Medicare, which may not cover all their needs. Expanding government control over healthcare could reduce innovation and responsiveness in the system.
The memorial suggests recouping funds from Medicare Advantage overpayments, but if private insurers exit the Medicare market, the financial burden of covering seniors could shift entirely to taxpayers. Cutting private involvement could also eliminate cost-saving strategies used by insurers to manage care more efficiently. Seniors should have the freedom to choose whether they want government-run Original Medicare or private Medicare Advantage plans. The memorial’s proposals could push more people toward a single-payer model, reducing competition and innovation in healthcare. Finally, while fraud and inefficiencies exist in both public and private programs, completely overhauling Medicare Advantage due to bad actors might not be the best approach. Instead of limiting private-sector involvement, stronger fraud prevention and accountability measures should be implemented.
Bill Summary
As sure as the sun rises and sets, you can count on Democrats annually pushing for Universal Health Care. Apparently the long waits to be seen by a specialist, sub-standard quality of care, loss of choice of medical providers, government oversight, unnecessary regulations, spending cuts and lack of innovation associated with existing UHC is just too good to pass up.
This document is a Senate Joint Memorial from Washington State urging the federal government to establish a national universal healthcare program. Failing that, it requests federal partnership to enable Washington to implement its own state-wide system, or alternatively, seeks waivers to overcome federal restrictions on state-level universal healthcare initiatives. It specifically mentions existing legislation (HR 6270) as a potential model.
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Education
Amending the Constitution to allow 55 percent of voters voting to authorize school district bonds.
Bill Summary
Senate Joint Resolution 8200 proposes a Washington state constitutional amendment. The amendment modifies Article VII, section 2, and Article VIII, section 6, concerning property tax limitations and municipal debt. It aims to streamline the process for school districts to levy taxes and issue bonds, requiring a 55% voter approval rather than adherence to the existing threshold of 60%. Specific exceptions and conditions are outlined for exceeding tax and debt limits, including provisions for infrastructure projects and bond repayments.
The resolution also includes a declaration that the amendment constitutes a single, integrated plan. Democrats are using this bill and proposed SJR 8200 to make it easier to fund public schools which are failing our students in most core subjects and are losing more and more students to charter schools and home-schooling.
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Freedom
Amending the Constitution to allow the state to invest moneys from long-term services and supports accounts.
Bill Summary
Senate Joint Resolution 8201 proposes a state constitutional amendment that would alter Article XXIX, section 1. The proposed change would permit the investment of funds dedicated to public pensions, industrial insurance, disability support, and notably, long-term care services. The resolution does not create a new fund, but rather allows the existing long-term care fund to be invested similarly to other trust funds. Investment income from the long-term care fund would be specifically allocated to benefit program recipients. The legislature intends this as a single amendment for voter consideration in the next general election.
If you support maximizing returns and strengthening funding for long-term care services, this amendment is a step in that direction. By allowing Washington’s long-term care fund to be invested similarly to public pension and trust funds, the state could achieve higher returns. Public pension and disability trust funds are already invested for higher returns. This resolution aligns the long-term care fund with similar financial strategies This could make the program more sustainable in the long run. Furthermore, with an aging population and growing demand for long-term care services, maximizing investment returns could reduce future funding shortfalls and ensure benefits for seniors and people with disabilities. Lastly, the amendment specifies that investment income from the fund must be used exclusively for long-term care services. This prevents misallocation.
In review, this amendment allows for a broader range of investment strategies that could enhance fund sustainability. However, it also introduces potential risks depending on market conditions and legislative oversight. Ultimately, the effectiveness of this amendment depends on economic conditions.
Bill Summary
This proposed amendment to the Washington State Constitution would enshrine broad and unrestricted access to abortion, contraception, assisted reproductive technology, and gender-affirming care, barring the state from imposing any meaningful regulations. While framed as a protection of personal freedoms, this bill supports a culture of death. The lack of restrictions means that even late-term abortions could be performed without regulation. Similarly, gender-affirming treatments, including hormone therapies and surgeries, could be provided to minors without sufficient safeguards, potentially leading to irreversible consequences. It dismisses the rights of medical professionals who may have conscientious objections, forcing them to participate in procedures they may morally oppose. Additionally, it removes the ability of parents to have a say in life-altering decisions made by minors regarding gender transition treatments, effectively stripping them of their parental rights. This bill is not about reasonable healthcare access; it is about removing all limitations and allowing controversial medical procedures to proceed unchecked. Please stand against this amendment and stand for a culture of life.