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WashingtonHB 26042025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Transferring ownership of a vehicle to an insurer under certain circumstances.

Sponsored By: Adison Richards (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Insurers report total-loss cars, e-sign transfers

Insurers must report a destroyed or total-loss vehicle to the Department of Licensing within 15 days after the settlement claim, no matter where the loss happened. They can report online (and must destroy ownership papers right after filing), send a title or “DESTROYED” affidavit with insurer details, or send the department’s total-loss claim form. The department accepts transfer papers to move a vehicle to an insurer without notarization. You can sign electronically, and printed copies are valid. A limited power of attorney for this sole transfer is also accepted without notarization.

Owners must report destroyed cars in 15 days

If your car is destroyed or a total loss, you must tell the Department of Licensing within 15 days. You must send the title or an affidavit in lieu of title marked “DESTROYED,” with your name, address, and the date. Keeping the title on or after the 16th day is a gross misdemeanor.

Value threshold and statement for older cars

For vehicles six years old or older, the reporter (owner, legal owner, or insurer) must say if the car’s market value just before destruction met the threshold. Vehicle age is the current year minus the model year. The market value threshold starts at $6,790 and can rise with the West region “used cars and trucks” CPI. Increases take effect July 1 after the year of the CPI rise, are rounded to the nearest $10, and are skipped if under $50. Skipped amounts carry forward until the total reaches at least $50.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Adison Richards

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Andrew Barkis

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 141 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/6/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 47 • No: 0 • Other: 2

House vote • 2/12/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 94 • No: 0 • Other: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/18/2026House

  2. Chapter 101, 2026 Laws.

    3/18/2026House

  3. Governor signed.

    3/18/2026legislature

  4. President signed.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 47; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    3/6/2026House

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/6/2026House

  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/5/2026House

  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    3/2/2026House

  11. TRAN - Majority; do pass.

    2/27/2026House

  12. First reading, referred to Transportation.

    2/16/2026House

  13. Third reading, passed; yeas, 94; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 4.

    2/12/2026House

  14. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/12/2026House

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

    2/11/2026House

  16. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/9/2026House

  17. TR - Majority; do pass.

    2/5/2026House

  18. TR - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/5/2026House

  19. First reading, referred to Transportation.

    1/21/2026House

  20. Introduced

    1/21/2026House

Bill Text

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