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WashingtonHB 22392025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Providing Washingtonians and their loved ones with location choices for interment of remains.

Sponsored By: Hunter Abell (Republican)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

Create a family burial on your land

The law lets a natural person set part of their land as a family burial ground. All co-owners must agree in writing, and you cannot do this on land owned with a company or other legal entity. The burial area can cover at most 10% of the parcel and must be at least 25 feet from the parcel edge, 150 feet from critical areas, 100 feet from a public right‑of‑way, 100 feet from a drinking‑water well, and 200 feet from a drinking‑water spring. You may not sell plots or charge any burial‑related fees. Cities and counties can regulate or ban these sites.

How to move remains from private plots

To relocate remains, you need written consent in this order: spouse or registered partner, then children, then parents, then siblings. If you cannot get consent, you can ask the county superior court for permission. After consent or a court order, you must notify the state archaeology department and get a permit to disinter and reinter the remains. The owner must pay all costs to move and re‑bury the remains.

Rules to build mausoleums or columbaria

Any mausoleum or columbarium on a family burial ground must be Class A fireproof and meet local building permits and public health rules. Converting an existing building for interment must meet the same standards. Unlawful construction is a civil infraction with a $500 fine each time, and cities or counties can require you to fix violations at your expense. Chapter 68.28 rules do not apply to mausoleums or columbaria on qualifying family burial grounds.

How state law treats family burial grounds

The law defines a family burial ground on private land and includes any mausoleums and columbaria on it. Interment in a family burial ground is lawful, and private‑property disposition after cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, or natural organic reduction is allowed with the owner’s consent. These family plots are not treated as a cemetery business, and some cemetery chapters do not apply.

Property taxes still apply to family plots

Family burial grounds do not get the property tax exemption that some public or nonprofit cemeteries receive. Owners may still owe property taxes on land with a family burial ground.

Report burials and tell buyers

Within 30 days after each interment, the owner must report it to the state archaeology department and record it with the county. The report must include the name, birth and death dates, owner, parcel number, and GPS coordinates verified by two witnesses or the county coroner, sheriff, or a designee. Before you sell a property with a family burial ground, you must disclose the burial area and any mausoleums or columbaria. The updated seller‑disclosure rule for improved residential property starts January 1, 2027.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Hunter Abell

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Adam Bernbaum

    Democratic • House

  • Andrew Engell

    Republican • House

  • Brian Burnett

    Republican • House

  • Jim Walsh

    Republican • House

  • Rob Chase

    Republican • House

  • Tarra Simmons

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 238 • No: 2

House vote • 3/12/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 96 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/6/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 46 • No: 2 • Other: 1

House vote • 2/12/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 96 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026*.

    3/24/2026House

  2. Chapter 173, 2026 Laws.

    3/24/2026House

  3. Governor signed.

    3/24/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. Passed final passage; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    3/12/2026House

  6. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    3/12/2026House

  7. Speaker signed.

    3/12/2026legislature

  8. President signed.

    3/12/2026legislature

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 46; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/6/2026House

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/6/2026House

  11. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    3/6/2026House

  12. Committee amendment not adopted.

    3/6/2026House

  13. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/27/2026House

  14. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/24/2026House

  15. LAW - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    2/23/2026House

  16. First reading, referred to Law & Justice.

    2/16/2026House

  17. Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    2/12/2026House

  18. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/12/2026House

  19. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/12/2026House

  20. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    2/11/2026House

  21. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/4/2026House

  22. CRJ - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/3/2026House

  23. CRJ - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/3/2026House

  24. First reading, referred to Civil Rights & Judiciary.

    1/12/2026House

  25. Prefiled for introduction.

    1/2/2026House

Bill Text

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