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WashingtonSB 52622025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Correcting obsolete or erroneous references in statutes administered by the insurance commissioner.

Sponsored By: Claudia Kauffman (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

More hearing aid coverage in health plans

The law requires health plans to cover hearing instruments and related services. For plans effective before January 1, 2026, carriers must cover at least $3,000 per ear every 36 months. For plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, carriers must cover devices every 36 months per ear and cannot set annual or lifetime dollar caps. These rules apply to certain group plans starting January 1, 2024 and to other plans starting January 1, 2026. Insurers may require prior authorization for medically necessary devices.

Funding and accounts cleanup at insurance office

The law funds the insurance fraud program from the dedicated fraud account, with spending approved by the legislature. The $250 application fee to register GAP waivers stays the same, but the state now deposits it into the general fund. The law also repeals several older insurance statutes, including the GAP waiver account and some reporting and confidentiality sections.

Deadlines set for insurance tax refunds

The law sets clear refund time limits. You can request a refund of insurance taxes within six years after the end of the calendar year the tax was owed. You have 13 months from payment to request a refund of fees or other charges that are not taxes.

New annual reports for dental plans

Health insurers that sell dental-only plans must file Washington-specific data each year by April 1 for the prior year. They must report members, revenue, payments, loss ratio, average premium per member per month, and the percent change in average premium. The insurance commissioner posts this information online.

New filings and fees for charitable gift annuities

Institutions that issue charitable gift annuities must file an annual financial report with the insurance commissioner. They must pay a yearly fee of $25 plus $5 for each annuity contract. The report and fee are due within 60 days after the institution’s fiscal year ends. These rules start January 1, 2026.

Insurance records access rules updated

The law changes what insurance records are open to the public. It removes a records exemption tied to a repealed statute, making those records more available. It also makes some insurance commissioner contracts confidential, so they are not released under public‑records requests.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Claudia Kauffman

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Jeff Wilson

    Republican • Senate

  • Sharon Shewmake

    Democratic • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

  • Yasmin Trudeau

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 178 • No: 15

Senate vote • 4/18/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 46 • No: 2 • Other: 1

House vote • 4/16/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 83 • No: 13 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/3/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 49 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025*.

    5/12/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 243, 2025 Laws.

    5/12/2025Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    5/12/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/23/2025legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    4/22/2025legislature

  6. President signed.

    4/19/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 46; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    4/18/2025Senate

  8. Senate concurred in House amendments.

    4/18/2025House

  9. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/16/2025Senate

  10. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    4/16/2025Senate

  11. Committee amendment not adopted.

    4/16/2025Senate

  12. Third reading, passed; yeas, 83; nays, 13; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    4/16/2025Senate

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

    4/15/2025Senate

  14. Minority; without recommendation.

    4/8/2025Senate

  15. Minority; do not pass.

    4/8/2025Senate

  16. APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    4/8/2025Senate

  17. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    4/8/2025Senate

  18. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    4/8/2025Senate

  19. CPB - Executive action taken by committee.

    4/2/2025Senate

  20. Minority; without recommendation.

    4/2/2025Senate

  21. Minority; do not pass.

    4/2/2025Senate

  22. CPB - Majority; do pass.

    4/2/2025Senate

  23. Referred to Appropriations.

    4/2/2025Senate

  24. First reading, referred to Consumer Protection & Business.

    3/5/2025Senate

  25. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    3/3/2025Senate

Bill Text

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