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
House Bill 1563 establishes a prescribed fire claims fund pilot program in Washington to address the increasing risks of wildfires and promote the use of prescribed and cultural burning as effective forest management tools. The program aims to provide financial coverage for losses incurred during these controlled burns, which are essential for improving forest health and reducing hazardous fuel accumulation. The legislation recognizes the historical significance of fire management practices by tribal peoples and emphasizes the need for a five-fold increase in prescribed burning to mitigate wildfire risks.
To implement this program, a new section is added to the RCW’s detailing eligibility criteria for claims, which must arise from burns conducted by certified managers or cultural practitioners under approved plans. The office of risk management will oversee the program, determining claim eligibility and reimbursement amounts, which are capped at $2,000,000 per claim. Additionally, the bill amends the administration of the prescribed fire claims fund pilot program as an allowable expenditure from the risk management administration account. The program is set to expire on June 30, 2033, and the act takes effect immediately to ensure prompt action in addressing the forest health crisis.
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Taxes
Supporting employers providing child care assistance to employees by establishing a business and occupation and public utility tax credit.
Bill Summary
Washington state ranks as the seventh least affordable for infant care and median child care costs surpassing $20,000 annually—more than tuition at many universities. Nearly 40% of parents have reported quitting their jobs or being fired due to child care challenges, costing families $2.9 billion annually in lost income. This legislation aims to ease these challenges by encouraging a solution that makes child care more affordable and accessible for working families while supporting businesses and strengthening the economy.
House Bill 1564 establishes a 100% tax credit for businesses that provide child care assistance to employees, covering expenses such as direct contributions to child care costs and in-house child care facilities. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, the program allows businesses to reduce their business and occupation or public utilities taxes by the amount they spend on providing child care for employees. They can apply the remaining amount to the following year if they don’t use the full tax benefit in one year. Administered by the Department of Revenue, the program is set to run through Jan. 1, 2037, with a potential extension based on its success in increasing employer-provided child care support.
Josh Penner, R-Orting, the bill’s primary sponsor, states: “This legislation is a significant step forward in tackling the affordability and accessibility challenges that working families face daily. Employers who invest in child care solutions for their workers deserve our support, and this bill provides a clear pathway for businesses to be part of the solution.” He continues, “This bill is a meaningful step toward creating a more family-friendly state where parents can thrive at work, children have access to safe and supportive care, and communities are stronger. I’m proud to make this my first legislative priority and look forward to the bipartisan work to see it through.”
Bill Summary
House Bill 1572 modernizes outdated accreditation rules by eliminating the requirement that an institution, branch, extension, or facility of an out-of-state institution wishing to operate in Washington must be separately accredited. Currently, certain nonprofit universities—like Northeastern University’s Seattle campus, which serves over 1,200 students annually—are caught in a bureaucratic “catch-22” that prevents them from operating efficiently in Washington due to the current accreditation hurdles.
Here are some of the key criteria for an eligible school to be exempt from the bureaucratic hurdles: “(a) have continuously offered degree programs in Washington for 10 years or more; (b) have been continuously authorized to offer degree programs in its home state for 20 years or more; (c) have been continuously accredited as a degree-granting institution for 10 years or more by; and (d) an accrediting association recognized by the WSAC and the secretary of the US Department of Education, and maintain such accreditation status.”
Additionally, this bill gives the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) greater authority to recognize high-quality accrediting agencies, instead of relying solely on the federal Department of Education, which has weakened oversight in recent years. This means Washington will set its own high standards, ensuring that institutions providing degrees in our state meet stringent academic, research, and financial stability requirements. HB 1572 removes duplicative, unnecessary barriers while keeping strong protections against low-quality institutions.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1572 modernizes outdated accreditation rules by eliminating the requirement that an institution, branch, extension, or facility of an out-of-state institution wishing to operate in Washington must be separately accredited. Currently, certain nonprofit universities—like Northeastern University’s Seattle campus, which serves over 1,200 students annually—are caught in a bureaucratic “catch-22” that prevents them from operating efficiently in Washington due to the current accreditation hurdles.
Here are some of the key criteria for an eligible school to be exempt from the bureaucratic hurdles: “(a) have continuously offered degree programs in Washington for 10 years or more; (b) have been continuously authorized to offer degree programs in its home state for 20 years or more; (c) have been continuously accredited as a degree-granting institution for 10 years or more by; and (d) an accrediting association recognized by the WSAC and the secretary of the US Department of Education, and maintain such accreditation status.”
Additionally, this bill gives the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) greater authority to recognize high-quality accrediting agencies, instead of relying solely on the federal Department of Education, which has weakened oversight in recent years. This means Washington will set its own high standards, ensuring that institutions providing degrees in our state meet stringent academic, research, and financial stability requirements. HB 1572 removes duplicative, unnecessary barriers while keeping strong protections against low-quality institutions.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1574 expands legal protections for individuals using or possessing controlled substances—even when violating court orders or parole—and it creates broad loopholes that can be exploited by repeat offenders. The bill shields individuals from arrest and prosecution in a wide range of scenarios, including when they violate restraining or no-contact orders, simply because they seek or require medical help during an overdose. While the intention may be compassionate, this could unintentionally protect abusers or individuals involved in serious criminal conduct under the guise of seeking help.
Additionally, the bill permits the distribution of drug paraphernalia—including syringes and smoking equipment—at health care facilities and more public spaces, further normalizing drug use rather than promoting recovery or prevention. Perhaps most concerning is the elimination of local authority to regulate harm reduction services. By removing the ability of cities and counties to create their own rules around drug paraphernalia distribution, the state imposes a one-size-fits-all approach and strips communities of their right to respond to local public health and safety needs.
Instead of enabling long-term recovery or accountability, HB 1574 risks entrenching substance abuse in neighborhoods already struggling with addiction and overdose crises. While compassionate responses to addiction are vital, this bill goes too far in prioritizing permissiveness over responsible governance. For the sake of balanced policy and community safety, HB 1574 should be opposed.