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WashingtonSB 56512025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Increasing the amount exempt from garnishment in nonbankruptcy cases.

Sponsored By: Emily Alvarado (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Injury payouts and support are safe

Beginning July 1, 2025, up to $20,000 of a personal bodily injury payment is exempt from creditors. This does not include pain and suffering or actual pecuniary loss. Payments for lost future earnings are exempt only as needed for your support. Past due, current, and future child support or alimony you receive are exempt if traceable. In bankruptcy, personal injury and some future‑earnings proceeds are protected, except where the state has a lien or subrogation claim.

Keep up to $15,000 of your car

Beginning July 1, 2025, your motor vehicle is protected up to $15,000 total value from seizure or garnishment. State law exceptions still apply.

More household items are protected

Beginning July 1, 2025, more of your everyday items are safe from creditors. You can keep household goods up to $6,500 per person. You can keep furs, jewelry, and personal ornaments up to $3,500 per person. Your private library, family pictures, and keepsakes are protected up to $3,500. Your cell phone, personal computer, and printer are exempt. Professionally prescribed health aids for you or a dependent are also exempt. State law exceptions still apply.

New personal property and account protections

Beginning July 1, 2025, if you file bankruptcy, you can keep other personal property up to $10,000, valued on the filing date. Outside bankruptcy, you can keep other personal property up to $3,000. For financial assets, the protected amount depends on the debt: $2,500 for private student loan debt (with $1,000 always protected), $2,000 for consumer debt (always protected), and $500 for other debts. Starting July 1, 2027, the Department of Revenue adjusts these nonbankruptcy dollar limits for inflation every three years, rounded to the nearest $25.

Trade tools protected up to $15,000

Beginning July 1, 2025, tools, instruments, materials, and supplies you use in your trade are exempt up to $15,000. The items must be used to carry on your work. State law exceptions still apply.

Education savings protected after two years

Beginning July 1, 2025, tuition units and 529/Coverdell education savings are exempt from creditors if the purchase or contribution was made more than two years before a bankruptcy filing or court judgment. You must meet the two‑year timing rule to get this protection.

Law starts July 1, 2025

The law takes effect July 1, 2025. It also repeals two uncodified prior provisions: 2023 c 393 s 6 and 2021 c 50 s 4.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Emily Alvarado

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Adrian Cortes

    Democratic • Senate

  • Derek Stanford

    Democratic • Senate

  • Javier Valdez

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jesse Salomon

    Democratic • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

  • Member 27504

    House

  • Yasmin Trudeau

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 132 • No: 59

Senate vote • 4/22/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 33 • No: 15

House vote • 4/10/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 61 • No: 34 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 3/12/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 38 • No: 10 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/1/2025.

    5/20/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 391, 2025 Laws.

    5/20/2025Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    5/20/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/25/2025legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    4/24/2025legislature

  6. President signed.

    4/24/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 33; nays, 15; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/22/2025Senate

  8. Senate concurred in House amendments.

    4/22/2025House

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

    4/10/2025Senate

  10. Third reading, passed; yeas, 61; nays, 34; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    4/10/2025Senate

  11. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/10/2025Senate

  12. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    4/10/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    3/28/2025Senate

  14. Minority; without recommendation.

    3/26/2025Senate

  15. Minority; do not pass.

    3/26/2025Senate

  16. CRJ - Majority; do pass.

    3/26/2025Senate

  17. CRJ - Executive action taken by committee.

    3/26/2025Senate

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

    3/14/2025Senate

  19. Third reading, passed; yeas, 38; nays, 10; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/12/2025Senate

  20. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/12/2025Senate

  21. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    3/12/2025Senate

  22. 2nd substitute bill substituted.

    3/12/2025Senate

  23. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/10/2025Senate

  24. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/28/2025Senate

  25. Minority; do not pass.

    2/27/2025Senate

Bill Text

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