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.
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Safety
Expanding the circumstances that may constitute a major violation of the uniform controlled substances act.
Bill Summary
Rep. Jim Walsh, R- Aberdeen, has filed HB 1000, which would allow courts to impose tougher sentences for the knowing delivery or distribution of fentanyl or precursor chemicals used to illegally manufacture fentanyl. The bill also would allow longer sentences for those who distribute counterfeit substances containing fentanyl that causes substantial bodily harm, permanent impairment to cognitive functions, or death of a person.
Under current law, fentanyl possession is a misdemeanor. This particular bill was introduced last year; however, it did not receive a hearing. A huge surge in fentanyl-related deaths in Washington is forcing legislators to respond with bills that will give law enforcement officers and prosecutors the tools they need to clean up our communities as well as provide assistance to addicts.
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Health Care
Recognizing posttraumatic stress disorder as an occupational disease for county coroners, examiners, and investigative personnel.
Bill Summary
Washington State House Bill 1002 proposes amending existing law to recognize posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as an occupational disease for specific public service workers. The bill specifically covers firefighters, law enforcement officers, public safety telecommunicators, and county coroners and medical examiner personnel, subject to certain conditions and exceptions. These exceptions include instances where PTSD stems from employer disciplinary actions or pre-existing conditions, as determined by a pre-employment psychological evaluation. The proposed changes aim to provide workers’ compensation coverage for PTSD in these high-stress professions. The bill also includes precise definitions for the covered professions and situations.
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Housing
Addressing service of notice by mail in cases involving forcible entry and forcible and unlawful detainer.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1003 introduces a fair and balanced approach to the eviction process, ensuring that tenants receive adequate notice while providing landlords with a clear and efficient means of communication. This bill modifies the rules around serving eviction-related notices by mail, requiring certified mail from within Washington state and extending the waiting period before legal action can begin from one to five days. This change gives tenants more time to respond, seek assistance, or resolve disputes before facing eviction proceedings. By clarifying the service process and adding a safeguard against premature legal action, HB 1003 helps prevent unjust removals and ensures that tenants are fully informed of their rights and obligations. At the same time, it maintains a clear path for landlords to lawfully regain possession of their property when necessary.
Bill Summary
Washington House Bill 1008 establishes a new county local road trust account within the state’s motor vehicle fund. The bill outlines the criteria for allocating funds to county road projects, prioritizing projects in overburdened communities and those addressing environmental health disparities. Specific project types are defined, and rules for project planning, funding, and eligibility are established. The bill also includes provisions for joint planning with cities and the state Department of Transportation, along with stipulations regarding matching funds and county levy diversions. Finally, it declares an emergency effective date of July 1, 2025.
Bill Summary
The legislature has found that Washingtonians are in a housing crisis and the state needs to produce another 1.1 million homes by 2044 to meet its housing needs. The legislature determined that accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are a potential solution to this housing crisis because they provide affordable housing, can be built quickly, and can provide supplemental income for property owners. ADUs are especially needed in rural communities that do not yet have the infrastructure for larger-scale development.
House Bill 1010, a Washington State legislative proposal, aims to address the state’s housing crisis by promoting the construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs), particularly in rural areas. The bill outlines specific regulations for detached ADUs, including size limits, water and sewage requirements, and design guidelines to ensure compatibility with existing properties. It also mandates updates to county comprehensive plans to accommodate these new ADU regulations and clarifies the review and revision processes for existing land-use plans. Finally, the bill emphasizes the need for collaboration between counties and cities in planning and addresses potential impacts on rural growth targets.
Bill Sponsor Sam Low, R-Lake Stevens, stated “We must take bold action during the upcoming session to increase housing supply and remove barriers to building affordable housing. While we can’t fix this crisis overnight, we can work to ensure Washington no longer holds the distinction of being the fifth most unaffordable state for housing.”
Bill Summary
Washington House Bill 1011 proposes a new school safety capital grant program. The bill outlines eligibility requirements for schools and projects, including a focus on physical security improvements. It details the application process, grant administration, and matching fund stipulations. A minimum 10-year commitment to maintain improvements is required of grantees. Funding limitations and project cost caps are also specified.
The School Safety Capital Grant Program, as outlined in the proposed legislation, would fund physical improvements to enhance the safety and security of school facilities. Eligible projects include design and construction of security vestibules and the purchase and installation of: metal detectors, key card access, panic buttons, silent alarms, fencing and lighting. Crime prevention through environmental design projects. All projects must incorporate crime prevention through environmental design principles to the extent applicable.
The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction generally requires grantees to provide matching non-state funding equal to at least 100% of the state grant award. However, the office may reduce the required matching percentage for applicants with a higher than average percentage of students eligible for free and reduced-price meals.
Bill Summary
HB 1016 would provide tax incentives to employers who hire veterans and spouses of active-duty military members. The stated public policy objective of the legislation is to increase employment opportunities for veterans and military families.
The bill proposes a 20% tax credit, up to $3,000 per qualified employee, on wages and benefits paid to veterans or spouses of active-duty military personnel hired after January 1, 2026. To qualify, employees must hold permanent full-time positions for at least two consecutive calendar quarters. Seasonal employees who work the equivalent of 35 hours over two consecutive quarters also qualify.
The legislation designates a $5 million annual cap for the total tax credits. If claims exceed the limit, unused credits can be carried over to the next fiscal year.
The bill mandates that employers who discharge a qualified employee before claiming the credit are ineligible for a new credit for one year from the discharge date. However, this restriction doesn’t apply if the employee was terminated for documented work-related misconduct, or due to a felony or gross misdemeanor conviction.
To be eligible for the tax credit, a qualified employee must be employed for at least two consecutive full calendar quarters. This applies to both veterans and spouses of active-duty military members. The bill defines “full-time” employment as a normal work week of at least 35 hours.
The tax credit program has an expiration date built into the proposed legislation. Credits can be earned for tax reporting periods only through January 1, 2036. After that date, no further credits can be claimed. The program itself fully expires on January 1, 2037. However, the legislation includes a provision for potential extension. If a review determines that the number of unemployed veterans and military spouses has decreased by 10%, the legislative auditor is obligated to recommend extending the expiration date of the tax preference. The total annual cap on tax credits for employing veterans and their spouses is $5,000,000.
Bill Summary
Washington House Bill 1022, also known as the “Homes for Heroes Act,” proposes a $15 million pilot program to assist eligible essential workers with down payments and closing costs on homes. The program targets individuals in critical occupations facing housing affordability challenges, such as firefighters, nurses, and police officers. Funding is capped, and the program is set to conclude in 2027, with reports on its effectiveness due to the legislature. Loan amounts are limited to 5% of the first mortgage or $25,000, and loans are interest-free, deferred until the mortgage is paid or the property is sold. The bill aims to alleviate Washington state’s workforce crisis by making homeownership more accessible to essential workers.
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Health Care
Reopening the exemption from the long-term services and supports trust program for employees who have purchased long-term care insurance.
Bill Summary
State Representatives Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia and Joe Schmick, R-Colfax have introduced a bill designed to reopen a limited opt-out period for WA Cares, Washington’s long-term care insurance program. This bill became necessary when Initiative 2124 failed during the election in November of 2024. The initiative would have made WA Cares optional.
WA Cares deducts 58 cents per $100 earned for every Washington worker to fund a dismal limited lifetime benefit of up to $36,000 for long-term care costs. Prior to the program becoming mandatory, workers were allowed a very short period of time to provide proof of a private insurance plan, which would allow them to opt out of the payroll tax.
House Bill 1025 would allow an extended opt-out window for purchasing a private insurance plan. The window of opportunity would end on November 1, 2027. Unfortunately, this bill does not allow for a refund of any payroll tax deductions made before the effective date of an approved exemption.
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Health Care
Protecting spouses by allowing the sharing of benefits under the long-term services and supports trust program.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1026, sponsored by Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia and co-sponsored by Rep. Joe Schmick, R-Colfax, would allow an individual to transfer any or all of the qualified person’s available WA Cares long-term care benefits to a spouse.
“One of the main flaws in the program is that there are a lot of families that have a stay-at-home spouse, or a spouse who took a break from their career to raise a family, or maybe something happened and they got hurt at work and had to take a year or two off work to recover, and then they are no longer vested and have to start all over again,” Abbarno said.
Abbarno continued, “We live in a community property state and when one spouse is not bringing home income, it seems patently unfair that a spouse who is missing out on that community asset wouldn’t get to use the long-term care program,” Abbarno noted. “You can end up getting taxed in a payroll tax for your entire career, and you may never use this benefit, but God forbid your spouse needs it, they can never use it.”