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.
Bill Summary
Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn has proposed the creation of the Office of Entrepreneurship in House Bill 1245. Under the bipartisan bill, the Office of Entrepreneurship would be created to promote policies and programs for startups, collaborate with other organizations to support education and technical support, and expand access to other resources for entrepreneurs across the state. The office would also serve as the point of contact to help businesses navigate their interactions with state agencies and identify government regulations and fees that stymie new business growth in Washington.
The bill would also require the state to start tracking whether it is using its power as a purchaser of private sector goods and services to benefit new and early-stage businesses. Centralizing responsibility for making it easier to start a business in the Office of Entrepreneurship will allow the public to hold government accountable for improvement in regulations affecting small business.
It is incredibly difficult to start a small business in Washington state and even more challenging to be successful if you do. According to the National Federation of Independent Business, Washington state ranked dead last for startup survivability based on 2022 data. Forbes ranked Washington 48th in the nation in a list of best states to start a business, behind only New York and Vermont. While several state agencies help those who want to start a business in Washington, our rankings make it clear that the current system is not enough.
“The goal here is not to grow government,” said Couture. “The goal is to boost our business startup success rates, grow jobs, and cut the red tape currently serving as a barrier to entrepreneurs. There are so many barriers to starting a new business here, including high taxes, cumbersome regulations, and more. The creation of this office will streamline all of the government bureaucracy and help expand small business across the state. An entrepreneurial economy is a win for all Washingtonians.”
-
Energy
Creating the commercial lift off for energy from advanced nuclear advisory commission.
Bill Summary
As Washington state’s energy demands grow, driven by population increases and the rapid adoption of electric vehicles, Rep. Stephanie Barnard, R-Pasco, has introduced bipartisan House Bill 1249 to establish the ‘Commercial Liftoff for Energy from the Advanced Nuclear Advisory Commission’. The proposed commission aims to build public confidence in nuclear energy by providing accurate, trusted information about its safety and reliability, ensuring Washingtonians have confidence in the additional electricity generation needed to meet the state’s clean energy goals. The advisory commission will consist of 13 members representing academia, industry, government, and tribal organizations. In addition to developing policy recommendations, planning for new facilities, and creating a skilled workforce, the commission will actively engage with the public through forums and outreach programs to ensure transparency and awareness.
The proposed commission will adhere to a clear reporting schedule. Its first recommendations would be due on October 1, 2026, with biennial updates to follow. These reports will outline detailed roadmaps with timelines and targets to support the siting and construction of additional nuclear facilities in Washington. Nuclear energy could also play a critical role in supporting Washington’s expanding technology sector, including the growth of data centers. These facilities are essential to powering cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and other advanced technologies that drive the modern economy. Data centers are highly energy-intensive, requiring uninterrupted, reliable power to operate efficiently.
Washington state is home to numerous data centers essential to supporting local and global digital infrastructure. Nuclear energy’s ability to provide scalable, around-the-clock electricity positions it as a cornerstone for meeting the increasing energy demands of this important industry. According to a Bisconti Research report commissioned by Energy Northwest, 82% of Washingtonians believe nuclear energy is important for meeting the state’s future electricity needs. Growing public support underscores the importance of establishing a trusted source of information on nuclear energy.
“Energy security is fundamental,” Barnard added. “We are forecast to be short of energy by 2030. Without abundant, safe, clean, reliable nuclear energy, there is no credible path to a carbon-free or thriving economy. Nuclear energy provides the consistent, low-carbon power supply that data centers need,” said Barnard. “As we build the clean energy future, we must ensure that industries critical to our state’s economic growth, such as technology and data centers, have access to secure and sustainable energy sources.”
Bill Summary
House Bill 1252 modifies existing laws regarding pretrial release for both adults and juveniles, introducing new requirements for judicial officers when determining release conditions. The bill establishes that if a defendant has previously resisted arrest, attempted to elude police, or required substantial resources (multiple units, canine team, drones, air support) to apprehend, there is a rebuttable presumption against simple personal recognizance release. In such cases, judicial officers must now document in writing their rationale for releasing a defendant on personal recognizance, declining electronic monitoring, or setting bail lower than recommended by prosecutors.
The bill requires these written findings to explain how public safety and the defendant’s future court appearance will be ensured. Additionally, the Administrative Office of the Courts must maintain a public database of these orders and submit an annual report to the legislature and law enforcement associations detailing the number of such release orders. The bill applies these new provisions to both adult criminal cases and juvenile justice proceedings, with similar documentation and reporting requirements.
This legislation comes in the wake of the tragic murder of 13 y.o. Jayda Woods-Johnson at Alderwood Mall this past summer. The 16 y.o. suspect in Johnson’s case was initially permitted to post bond shortly after his arrest, leading to his immediate release from Jail. “I really want judges to have to pause, to be thoughtful in those decisions, show their work and to show the public and the community that they are serving how in their minds public safety is going to be maintained with this particular defendant out in the community” said Rep. Lauren Davis, D-Shoreline, the bill’s primary sponsor. Davis says her fellow Democrats need to address the bleeding now. “The number one issue that my constituents are concerned about is public safety. People don’t feel safe and they have every right not to feel safe,” said Davis.
-
Energy
Expanding the ability of consumer-owned utilities to enter into joint use agreements.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1253 is a step forward in modernizing and expanding the flexibility of consumer-owned utilities, allowing them to form new partnerships that will enhance energy development and transmission. By broadening the types of agreements that cities, public utility districts, and joint operating agencies can enter into—including joint ventures and limited liability company agreements—this bill paves the way for increased collaboration with private entities and other stakeholders to build a more resilient and efficient energy infrastructure. Moreover, HB 1253 prioritizes clean energy by explicitly enabling agreements for developing renewable energy facilities and energy storage projects, ensuring that communities can invest in sustainable solutions for the future. Importantly, it removes outdated provisions related to coal-fired power plants, signaling a commitment to cleaner energy and environmental responsibility.
Bill Summary
The bipartisan bill establishes a surcharge of $183 per document recorded by the county auditor, which is in addition to any other charges authorized by law. Certain documents, such as assignments of previously recorded deeds of trust, vital records (birth, marriage, divorce, death), and various lien documents, are exempt from this surcharge. The funds collected from this surcharge will be allocated as follows: 1% for the county auditor’s fee collection activities, 30% for county use, 54.1% to the state treasurer for the home security fund, 13.1% for the affordable housing for all account, and 1.8% for the landlord mitigation program account.
Additionally, the bill specifies how counties can utilize their portion of the collected funds. It mandates that counties retain at least 75% of their share for local homeless housing plans unless a city within the county opts to run its own program. In such cases, the funds for administrative costs and local homeless housing plans must be combined and distributed based on the city’s share of the real estate excise tax. The bill also allows counties and cities to use up to 10% of their funding for administrative costs related to their homeless housing programs. Overall, the bill aims to enhance funding for homelessness assistance and affordable housing initiatives while providing flexibility for local governments in managing these resources.