2026 Legislative Update: End of Session Review

The 2026 session came to an end at 8:24 pm on March 12 and proved to be among the most turbulent in recent years and may help set the stage for a highly competitive election cycle.

Debate over the proposed Millionaire’s Income Tax has begun to reverberate beyond the Capitol, with primary challengers emerging in several districts to criticize majority Democrats either for supporting the measure or for failing to support it strongly enough. The issue has exposed longstanding divisions within the Democratic caucus, suggesting the political consequences of the session may extend well into 2027. Two additional retirements were also announced this week: Capital Budget Chair Representative Steve Tharinger (D) and Senator Judy Warnick (R) both confirmed they will not seek reelection, adding to the growing number of lawmakers departing the Legislature.

Much of the final afternoon and evening of Sine Die was consumed by negotiations over, and eventual floor action on, HB 6231, legislation repealing a tax exemption for certain data centers, including large facilities located in Quincy. The proposal drew strong opposition from Republicans, who argued that eliminating the exemption would harm economic development in rural communities and undermine commitments previously made to local governments.

The stakes were particularly high because the operating budget relied on approximately $63 million in projected revenue from repealing the exemption. Some lawmakers warned that failure to pass the bill could force the governor to call a special session to rebalance the budget.

Ultimately, HB 6231 passed both chambers, and the operating budget that depended on the revenue was also approved, allowing the Legislature to conclude the session on schedule. Democratic Representatives Richards (D), Rule (D), Scott (D), Shavers (D), and Walen (D) joined Republicans in voting against the operating budget.

Millionaire’s Income Tax:

After more than 24 consecutive hours of floor debate, the House of Representatives approved the Millionaire’s Income Tax, SB 6346, on Tuesday evening. The vote followed one of the longest and most contentious floor sessions in recent memory. Republicans, joined by several moderate Democrats, mounted a sustained challenge to the measure, introducing approximately 80 amendments in an effort to slow the bill’s progress and prompt extended debate over its provisions.

Lawmakers argued through the night and into the following day over the scope of the tax, its potential impact on high‑income residents, and the proposed use of projected revenues in future state budgets. Despite the prolonged opposition, Democratic leadership ultimately secured the votes needed for passage.

Democratic Representatives Bronoske (D), Morgan (D), Reeves (D), Richards (D), Rule (D), Shavers (D), Timmons (D), and Walen (D) joined Republicans in voting against the bill. The Senate concurred to the changes made in the House on Wednesday evening.

Budgets:

On Wednesday, the final conference operating budget (SB 5998) was released. The state’s $79.4 billion operating budget relies heavily on one‑time fixes, reserve funds, and reductions to keep the current spending plan balanced through the end of the biennium. The supplemental operating budget withdraws hundreds of millions from the state’s rainy‑day fund, shifts moneys from other accounts, and reduces spending in several programs, including reductions tied to child‑care subsidies. Legislators also allocated approximately $1 billion to address growing legal obligations facing the state, one of the fastest‑rising pressures on the budget. Democratic leaders said the approach avoids deeper reductions to core public services, though they acknowledged the plan depends on temporary solutions rather than long‑term revenue sources. Republicans criticized the proposal as relying on budget maneuvers that postpone more difficult fiscal decisions.

The Legislature also adopted the 2026 supplemental capital budget (SB 6003); an $889 million plan focused on construction and infrastructure investments statewide. The package includes funding for affordable housing, school construction, flood response, and clean energy projects. Approximately $200 million is dedicated to housing and homelessness programs, including $123 million for the Housing Trust Fund. The budget also allocates $109 million for school construction, supporting modernization projects, seismic safety upgrades, and a new pilot program designed to help property‑poor districts finance building projects. In response to the December 2025 flooding, the budget provides $41 million for recovery and prevention efforts, including levee improvements, debris removal, and regional risk assessments. The budget also directs revenue from the Climate Commitment Act toward environmental and energy initiatives, including $25 million to launch the Washington Builds revolving‑loan program for clean‑energy upgrades, along with grants for tribal energy projects, higher‑education improvements, and climate‑smart agriculture. Lawmakers from both parties described the budget as continuing the state’s longstanding practice of using the capital budget to support long‑term community investments and local infrastructure.

On Thursday, the Legislature approved a bipartisan $16.6 billion 2025–27 supplemental transportation budget (SB 6005). The long‑range plan funds projects through 2031 and focuses primarily on preserving and maintaining Washington’s transportation infrastructure while supporting job creation. Legislators estimate the transportation budget could generate up to 30,000 jobs. Funded in part through a bonding bill (SB 6225), the budget includes $1.3 billion for road and bridge preservation, $200 million for maintenance, $28 million for ferry preservation, and $100 million for highway safety improvements. Additional funding is provided to repair infrastructure damaged by flooding and to replace the Fairfax Bridge near Wilkeson. The plan also continues investments in new ferry construction, terminal electrification, and expanded maintenance capacity, while supporting safety grants, youth transit programs, and other initiatives associated with the Climate Commitment Act.

We now shift attention to the governor’s desk for bill action. Under the state constitution, bills delivered to the governor more than five days before adjournment must be acted upon within five days. Bills delivered fewer than five days before adjournment allow the governor up to 20 days to sign, veto, or allow them to become law without a signature. These timelines are calculated in calendar days rather than business days; Sundays are excluded from the count, while Saturdays and state holidays are included.

An account of bills passed by the 2026 Legislature is below.

Budgets & Revenue:

• ESHB 2711 (Fey) – Revises various provisions enacted in ESSB 5801—transportation resources—during the 2025 session. Makes a variety of other resource related changes and modifies a variety of transportation policies.
  
  
• ESSB 6005 (Liias) – Makes supplemental transportation appropriations for the 2025-27 fiscal biennium.
  
  
• SSB 6225 (Liias) – Allows for the issuance of up to $1.1 billion of bonds for the design, right-of-way, and construction of highway projects. Allows for the issuance of up to $400 million of bonds for certain Move Ahead Washington projects with unanticipated construction-related cost increases. Increases the bond authorization for the state route 520 project by $500 million. Repeals unused bond authorizations.
  
  
• ESSB 5998 (Robinson) – Makes supplemental operating budget appropriations for the 2025-2027 biennium.
  
  
• SSB 6003 (Trudeau) – Makes supplemental capital budget appropriations for the 2025-2027 biennium.

Tax Policy:

• ESSB 6113 (Frame) – Makes administrative and technical changes to the state tax code. Codifies the Department of Revenue’s guidance related to the implementation of Chapter 422, Laws of 2025—ESSB 5814 (sales tax on services).
  
  
• SHB 2334 (Berg) – Authorizes sellers to round the total price or change due of an in-person cash transaction to the nearest $0.05 increment. Specifies the application of taxes and preemption over local laws.
  
  
• ESSB 6346 (Pedersen) – Imposes a 9.90 percent tax on individuals on the receipt of income exceeding $1 million beginning in calendar year 2028. Dedicates 7 percent of revenues to city and county public defense services. Expands eligibility for the Working Families Tax Credit to include persons who are at least 18 years of age and who meet other eligibility requirements for the preference. Increases the business and occupation (B&O) tax credit for small businesses. Increases the B&O tax return filing threshold to $250,000. Provides a sales and use tax exemption for grooming and hygiene products. Expires a B&O surcharge on businesses with gross income in excess of $250 million a year earlier. Repeals sales taxes on certain specified services, which were enacted in 2025 in ESSB 5814. Exempts the individual income tax from a statutory prohibition on state and local income taxes.
  
  
• ESHB 2442 (Berg) – Expands the use of local real estate excise tax revenues. Authorizes a new local sales and use tax of 0.01 percent to fund services for children and families. Expands the authorized uses of local sales and use tax revenues for housing and related services. Extends the maximum length that a levy lid lift may be approved for by voters. Expands the authorized use of funds generated by the county sales tax on rental cars. Expands the authorized use of funds for flood control zone districts. Authorizes a new county property tax levy for public health clinic expenses. Allows counties to create separate, standalone levies for the veterans’ assistance and mental health and developmental disabilities assistance levies. Removes a requirement to reduce a city’s property tax levy by the amount levied for the creation of a fire protection district (district). Requires a city or town creating a district to reduce its statutory maximum tax rate by the combined tax rate imposed by the newly formed district, with the exception of cities with a population over 500,000. Requires a city or town to consult with various stakeholders who may be impacted by the formation of the district. Permits districts to contract with a city or town to provide administrative services.
  
  
• ESB 6347 (Kauffman) – Modifies the estate tax rates to a range of 10 percent to 20 percent for Washington taxable estates of decedents dying on or after July 1, 2026.
  
  
• HB 1376 (Orcutt) – Authorizes taxpayers realizing a long-term capital gain to prepay their capital gains tax liability up to six months prior to the due date. Modifies the definition of federal net long-term capital gain.

Business & Labor:

• 2SHB 2479 (Fosse) – Creates the Wage Recovery Program and Wage Recovery Account to allow unpaid low-wage workers to receive disbursements if certain conditions are met. Allows the Department of Labor and Industries discretion to investigate complaints under the Wage Payment Act. Increases the minimum civil penalty amount and removes the maximum cap for willful violations and requires penalties for repeat willful violators and willful violators that have previously settled or resolved prior wage complaints.
  
  
• 2SSB 5292 (Conway) – Shifts the method for setting the premium rate for the Paid Family and Medical Leave Program from a statutory lookback formula to an actuarial approach, provided that it is at the lowest possible rate necessary to maintain solvency, reduce fluctuations, and build a four-month reserve.
  
  
• E2SSB 5847 (Saldaña) – Makes changes to the workers’ compensation claims treatment provisions. Allows providers to deviate from the treatment guidelines when medically appropriate. Prevents an employer from requiring that a worker use a specific provider. Permits an injured worker to be treated by a non-network provider in specified circumstances. Requires utilization reviews to be completed within ten business days. Requires writing notice to remove a provider from the medical provider network.
  
  
• ESB 6058 (Saldaña) – Allows the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) to decide whether to investigate an employee wage complaint and ties certain timelines to L&I’s acceptance of a complaint. Requires L&I, if a complaint is accepted, to issue certain notices or orders containing L&I’s determination within 60 days of acceptance. Pauses the statute of limitations for civil actions related to an employee’s wage complaint when the complaint is filed with L&I, until specified actions are taken. Allows L&I to assess civil penalties under certain wage-complaint penalty provisions when issuing an administrative order for amounts owed.
  
  
• ESHB 1155 (Berry) – Makes any noncompetition covenant void and unenforceable, regardless of when the parties entered into the covenant.
  
  
• ESHB 2274 (Springer) – Requires the sender of a commercial email to have knowledge that the subject line is considered false or misleading to be a violation of the Commercial Electronic Mail Act. Decreases the statutory damages for a recipient of a prohibited commercial email or text message to the greater of $100 or actual damages.
  
  
• ESHB 2303 (Thomas) – Prohibits an employer from requesting, requiring, or coercing an employee to have a microchip implanted in the employee for any reason.
  
  
• ESHB 2471 (Scott) – Establishes collective bargaining provisions for the private sector if: (1) the federal law ceases to preempt state regulation of labor management relations of employees, employers, trades, or industries that had been subject to federal labor law; or (2) the National Labor Relations Board declines or is deprived of jurisdiction or determines that the employer, employee, trade, or industry falls outside its previously existing jurisdiction. Grants the Public Employment Relations Commission jurisdiction to administer collective bargaining for employees, employers, trades, and industries covered by the bill and to enforce state law protecting concerted activities with regard to those employees, employers, trades, and industries.
  
  
• HB 2264 (Berry) – Allows an individual to be eligible for unemployment benefit when voluntarily participating in an employer-initiated layoff or reduction in force so long as the separating employer terminates the employment as a result of the layoff or reduction in force plan.
  
  
• SB 6134 (King) – Requires the Employment Security Department to notify a striking worker applying for unemployment insurance benefits of the potential to receive an overpayment assessment if the worker receives retroactive wages from the employer.
  
  
• SB 6136 (King) – Requires the Department of Labor and Industries to annually publish the actuarially indicated rate for each workers’ compensation risk classification and disclose when it sets a premium rate below the actuarially indicated rate for any classification.
  
  
• SHB 2405 (Schmidt) – Establishes a pilot program in the Department of Labor and Industries to allow workers’ compensation coverage of post-traumatic stress disorder treatment up to a specified number of sessions before claim adjudication and after claim closure.
  
  
• SSB 5874 (MacEwen) – Allows the Employment Security Department to waive penalties for minor or insignificant reporting errors in employers’ quarterly unemployment insurance reports.
  
  
• SSB 6014 (Nobles) – Creates a Public Records Act exemption relating to pregnancy accommodations for employees. Reverses changes made in 2025 to the types of pregnancy accommodation for which an employer is prohibited from claiming an undue burden.
  
  
• SSB 6039 (King) – Allows the Department of Labor and Industries (Department) to send notices electronically. Requires that, before using an electronic method for the first time, the Department must provide recipients the option to receive notices nonelectronically.
  
  
• 2SHB 2105 (Ortiz-Self) – Requires an employer to notify its workers within five business days of receiving a federal Notice of Inspection of Employment Eligibility Verification Forms I-9 (Forms I-9). Requires an employer to notify affected workers within five business days of receiving the results of any inspection of Forms I-9. Allows the attorney general to bring civil actions for violations and allows injured workers to bring private civil actions.

Environment, Energy & Technology:

• E2SHB 1170 (Shavers) – Requires providers of certain generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems to include provenance data in content created or materially altered by the system. Provides for enforcement by the attorney general under the Consumer Protection Act.
  
  
• EHB 2575 (Hall) – Reduces the frequency of Energy Independent Act reporting for electric utilities. Reduces Department of Commerce reporting requirements by decreasing the number of interim State Energy Strategy implementation reports and eliminating a biennial energy report. Eliminates an annual report for electric and water utilities on utility disconnections on days where a heat-related alert is issued.
  
  
• ESB 6246 (Slatter) – Directs the Department of Ecology (Ecology) to provide certain recommendations in its December 2026 report to the Legislature regarding no-cost allowance allocation to Emissions-Intensive, Trade Exposed (EITE) facilities in the Cap-and-Invest Program Program between 2035-2050. Requires the owner or operator of an EITE facility, by December 2028 and then quadrennially, to provide information to Ecology regarding facility-specific greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and an assessment of technically and economically feasible measures to reduce GHG emissions at each facility—collectively, reporting requirements. Requires Ecology to assess a penalty in accordance with an existing penalty provision in the Program if an owner or operator of an EITE facility fails to comply with the reporting requirements. Amends other Program terminology regarding EITE facilities.
  
  
• ESSB 5975 (Harris) – Specifies that aluminum or brass cookware, utensils, or components cannot be sold or distributed if lead was intentionally added. Adds lead in cookware as a priority product under Safer Products and provides for evaluation beginning in the 2029 review cycle.
  
  
• HB 2367 (Fitzgibbon) – Specifies that the exemption from the Cap-and-Invest Program for emissions from a certain coal-fired electric generation facility (coal facility) applies only to those emissions before January 1, 2026. Removes the limitation on state agencies and political subdivisions of the state from imposing greenhouse gas emission requirements on a coal facility that are inconsistent with or in addition to the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Performance Standard or the memorandum of agreement between the Governor and the coal facility. Repeals sales and use tax exemptions for coal used at a coal facility placed in operation after December 3, 1969, and before July 1, 1975.
  
  
• HB 2606 (Barnard) – Adds review of agency projects using artificial intelligence to the Office of Privacy and Data Protection’s primary duties. Modifies performance measures reporting requirements.
  
  
• SSB 5982 (Hunt) – Expands the types of entities subject to the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA) to include port districts that distribute electricity and nonresidential electricity consumers that generate electricity for their own consumption after May 2019. Directs the Utilities and Transportation Commission to adopt rules to establish reporting requirements for affected market customers to demonstrate compliance with CETA and to enforce affected market customers’ compliance with CETA under certain conditions. Expands the definition of market customer to include nonresidential consumers of electricity that generate any amount of electricity for their own consumption, not just those that meet 100 percent of their own needs.
  
  
• SSB 6269 (Shewmake) – Amends the definition of motor fuel in the Motor Fuel Quality Act (MFQA) to include gaseous products used for motor vehicle propulsion on state highways or that are intended to be used for transportation purposes. Removes the definition of alternative fuel in the MFQA.
  
  
• E2SHB 2416 (Hill) – Establishes a process by which the Department of Ecology (Ecology) must allocate no-cost allowances in the Cap-and-Invest Program (Program) between 2027-2030 to a waste-to-energy facility constructed before 1992 that is in compliance with applicable laws and standards (WTE Facility). Prohibits Ecology from allocating no-cost allowances to an electric utility for greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity produced by a WTE Facility for which the facility has a compliance obligation in the Program. Requires the owner or operator of a WTE Facility, by December 1, 2030, to provide a two-part plan to Ecology and the Department of Commerce, including a greenhouse gas emissions reduction component and a waste reduction and material recovery component.
  
  
• SSB 6355 (Hunt) – Establishes the Washington Electric Transmission Authority (Authority) to, among other duties, support the expansion of and upgrades to the electric transmission system and be a state-wide resource for transmission. Creates a ten-member board of directors to provide oversight and advise the Authority. Establishes a tribal clean energy partnership work group to identify and evaluate opportunities for tribal participation in the development and ownership of clean energy facilities and infrastructure.
  
  
• E2SHB 2215 (Fitzgibbon) – Reduces, beginning January 1, 2027, the emissions threshold determining covered entity status and a compliance obligation in the Cap-and-Invest Program (Program) for certain fuel suppliers that began supplying specified fuels in any jurisdiction on or after January 1, 2023, and requires those fuel suppliers to report emissions to the Department of Ecology. Prohibits state agencies and municipalities from awarding a procurement contract to certain fuel suppliers unless the fuel supplier meets certain criteria. Exempts, beginning January 1, 2027, emissions from the combustion, oxidation, other process, or end use of a lubricant, as defined in federal law, from a compliance obligation in the Program.

Housing:

• 2SHB 1859 (Salahuddin) – Expanding opportunities for affordable housing developments on properties owned by religious organizations.
  
  
• EHB 1501 (Reed) – Establishes a process for common interest community unit owners to submit formal written inquiries to their associations regarding association governance or operations and authorizes associations to adopt reasonable rules and regulations regarding the frequency and manner of responding to inquiries.
  
  
• EHB 1687 (Reed) – Authorizes the state or a local government to assist a social housing public development authority in the planning, construction, or operation of housing projects under the Housing Cooperation Law.
  
  
• ESHB 1500 (Reed) – Makes several changes to the resale certificate requirements for units in a common interest community subject to the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act. Updates the homeowners’ association or common interests’ portion of the seller’s disclosures in a transaction for the sale of residential property to include questions about any modifications or remodeling.
  
  
• ESSB 5156 (Salomon) – Requires the State Building Code Council to adopt, for the 2027 technical codes, standards for cities and counties to allow passenger elevators minimally sized to meet federal accessibility requirements for apartment buildings with at most six stories and at most 24 units.
  
  
• HB 2304 (Taylor) – Authorizes a declarant or dealer to offer an express warranty of quality and express warranty insurance coverage, as an alternative to the implied warranty of quality under the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act, for any new or conversion building with four or fewer stories, rather than three or fewer stories.
  
  
• E2SSB 6026 (Alvarado) – Prohibits certain cities and counties from excluding residential uses in areas zoned for commercial or mixed-use development and requiring mixed use or ground floor commercial or retail as a condition of permitting, or departure from development regulations or certain design guidelines related to residential or mixed-use development in commercial or mixed-use zones, with limited exceptions.
  
  
• E2SSB 6027 (Alvarado) – Makes changes to the allowable uses for certain local sales and use tax collected for housing and related services. Makes changes to the requirements and eligible uses of funding in the Affordable Housing for All Account. Updates the definition of emergency housing for the purpose of property tax exemptions for nonprofit organizations in providing emergency or transitional housing for low-income persons or victims of domestic violence who are homeless.
  
  
• ESHB 2266 (Peterson) – Establishes siting requirements for transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, indoor emergency shelters, and indoor emergency housing (STEP housing). Restricts permitting and other requirements that may be imposed on STEP housing.
  
  
• ESSB 5937 (Pedersen) – Adds smart access system data collection and privacy policy requirements to the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RLTA). Requires RLTA landlords to offer tenants alternative keys that do not use biometric identifier information or software applications operated on a mobile phone or similar electronic device.
  
  
• ESSB 6200 (Slatter) – Restricts residential landlords and owners of mobile home parks from prohibiting or restricting tenants from installing a portable cooling device of the tenant’s choosing, with certain exceptions. Allows a landlord to prohibit or restrict a tenant from installing a window-mounted portable cooling device under certain circumstances, including when the landlord’s insurance policy expressly restricts or prohibits their use. Allows residential landlords to require that a portable cooling device be subject to inspection or servicing by the landlord. Prohibits residential landlords from requiring a fee for the use or installation of a portable cooling device. Provides immunity to residential landlords from liability for any claim for damages, injury, or death caused by a portable cooling device installed by the tenant.
  
  
• HB 2664 (Connors) – Removes the certified mail delivery requirement for unlawful detainer notices and other notices required to be served in the same manner, such as rent increase notices.
  
  
• SHB 2354 (Reed) – Exempts small middle housing common interest communities from most Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (WUCIOA) provisions. Exempts middle housing common interest communities from the WUCIOA reserve study requirements, if specified conditions are met. Disallows governing documents of a common interest community to vary from the WUCIOA on the subject of financial responsibility for electric vehicle charging stations and heat pumps, with the effect that only the owner of an electric vehicle charging station or heat pump exclusively serving the owner’s unit bears that financial responsibility. Increases from $50,000 to $100,000 the minimum annual assessments threshold that triggers the requirement for an association to be annually audited by a certified public accountant.
  
  
• SHB 2452 (Connors) – Requires that rent increase notices under the Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act (MHLTA) be served in the same manner as other notices under the MHLTA, as opposed to the same manner as unlawful detainer notices.
  
  
• SHB 2505 (Eslick) – Exempts certain individuals from adult family home licensing requirements if they have been licensed to operate a foster family home or approved for a child-specific license when the only unrelated adults receiving care in the home are former foster youth who had received personal care from the individual or youth for whom the individual received the child-specific license.
  
  
• SSB 5938 (Orwall) – Revises and specifies exemptions, a limitation, disclosures, and payment of the foreclosure prevention fee. Authorizes the Department of Commerce (Commerce) to adopt rules. Requires Commerce, in consultation with the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, to conduct a study on the feasibility of directing a portion of foreclosure prevention fee collections to establish a state homeowner assistance fund to provide direct financial assistance to certain homeowners.
  
  
• SSB 6054 (Hunt) – Prohibits governing documents of a common interest community from prohibiting the installation, use, or maintenance of fire-hardened building materials so long as the materials meet health and safety requirements imposed by state and local permitting authorities.
  
  
• SSB 6091 (Liias) – Prohibits real estate brokers from marketing the sale or lease of residential real estate to an exclusive group of buyers or brokers only, unless necessary to protect the health and safety of the owner or occupant. Provides for enforcement with disciplinary action by the Department of Licensing.
  
  
• SSB 6237 (Bateman) – Requires landlords to provide information to tenants about the potential for a residential dwelling unit to be located in a flooding area and insurance coverage.
  
  
• E2SHB 1974 (Hill) – Authorizes public corporations, public housing authorities, and certain nonprofit entities, if authorized by a city or county ordinance or resolution, to operate land bank authorities. Specifies requirements for such ordinances and resolutions; powers and duties of land bank authorities; and affordability requirements for leased or sold land bank property. Prioritizes the transfer of tax foreclosed properties to land bank authorities. Provides property and in-lieu tax exemptions for land bank authorities.

Local Government & Land Use:

• ESSB 5552 (Wilson, J.) – Requires the State Building Code Council to conduct rulemaking on the portions of the State Building Code applicable to kit homes by March 31, 2027.
  
  
• SB 5467 (Goehner) – Increases the value of personal property that may be sold by a water-sewer district without notice to $5,400. Increases the value of real property that may be sold privately by a water-sewer district to $7,500.
  
  
• SB 6132 (Warnick) – Allows a port district that has established a tax increment financing area and which meets specified requirements to contract additional indebtedness, borrow money, and issue general obligation bonds up to 0.25 percent of the value of the taxable property in the port district without voter approval.
  
  
• SB 6291 (Lovelett) – Extends the maximum period that a noncertified individual may review designs and conduct inspections of on-site wastewater treatment systems under the supervision of a certified individual from two years to four years.
  
  
• SHB 2228 (Zahn) – Requires the State Building Code Council (Council) to convene a technical advisory group to recommend changes to the State Building Code (Code) to allow scissor stairs to be used in certain occupancies. Requires the technical advisory group to submit its recommendations to the Council in time for the Council to include any necessary updates in the 2027 Code update.
  
  
• SSB 6189 (Bateman) – Removes the deadline for creating a regional aquatics and sports public facilities district.
  
  
• SSB 6309 (Liias) – Allows a regional transit authority (RTA) to apply for permits under certain conditions and construct specific facilities that exceed height limits and setback requirements under certain circumstances. Establishes that a development agreement between a local government and an RTA may set forth development standards that vary from applicable development regulations in certain circumstances. Requires a local government to accept applications from an RTA regardless of whether the RTA owns or has possession and use of the property subject to the application, so long as the application is otherwise complete. Exempts the division of land caused by the acquisition of a portion of an existing lot or tract by an RTA that is acquiring land to build RTA facilities.
  
  
• E2SHB 2418 (Duerr) – Specifies that a determination of completeness made by a county or city on a project permit application must be based on whether the permit is procedurally complete and is not a substantive review of the application. Requires certain government entities, other than counties and cities, to complete the review of a residential project permit application within certain deadlines, and provides that, if the deadline is missed, the government entity must refund 20 percent of the permit review fee. Requires local governments to designate a permit-responsible official with authority to make final administrative decisions on residential project permit applications, and to designate a single point-of-contact on each project permit application.

Transportation:

• EHB 2588 (Timmons) – Authorizes ferry districts to operate and take other actions related to ferries in general, rather than solely in relation to passenger-only ferries. Requires voter approval before a ferry district formed after the effective date of the bill may impose a property tax levy.
  
  
• ESHB 1980 (Zahn) – Authorizes local authorities, with approval from public transportation agencies, to permit private employer transportation services to use business access and transit-only lanes in counties with a population more than 2 million. Requires local authorities to have an established fee-for-use process in order to authorize lane use and ensure operational performance metrics of the lane usage is met.
  
  
• ESHB 2192 (Low) – Designates the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (Commission) as a public health authority for purposes of traffic safety improvement and prevention of deaths and serious injuries related to motor vehicle collisions. Authorizes the Commission to convene a fatality review committee to review incidents involving the death of any person from a collision involving a motor vehicle. Clarifies protections for health care information, driving records, and other confidential information obtained by the Commission for Commission and fatality review committee purposes.
  
  
• SHB 2410 (Fey) – Establishes the Washington State Commercial Truck Safety and Education Council (Council) to recommend programs and projects that improve the safety of the commercial truck industry. Increases the Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement Fee assessed on commercial motor vehicles from $16 to $32, with certain revenue to be used only for recommended Council activities and administrative costs.
  
  
• SHB 2114 (Engell) – Requires the Department of Licensing (DOL) to waive all fees for a defective license plate replacement within 24 months of issuance. Specifies that defective plates returned between two to five years after issuance are exempt from all fees for a replacement if the license plate meets DOL specified criteria adopted by rule. Provides discretionary authority for DOL to impose some license plate fees for defective plate replacements returned between two to five years depending on the specific circumstances of the need for license plate replacement.