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WashingtonSB 60342025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Concerning statutory establishment of the governor's office of Indian affairs.

Sponsored By: Claudia Kauffman (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Equal state services for Indians in court

Indians who are under Washington state jurisdiction under Title 9A RCW and chapter 37.12 RCW get the same state services as others. This includes public defenders, correctional legal aid, probation, and psychiatric services. It applies in state criminal cases and civil cases in state courts.

State Office of Indian Affairs created

The law creates the Office of Indian Affairs in the governor’s cabinet. The governor appoints an executive director, with Senate consent, who hires state employees. The office advises the governor and agencies on tribal policy and serves as liaison to tribes. It convenes regular meetings with tribes and an annual session to carry out the Centennial Accords. The office can set operating and spending procedures and accept private gifts in a separate account. It must file an annual report by November 1 with budget and activity details and post it online.

Tribal lawmaking and courts protected

Federally recognized tribes whose traditional lands include parts of Washington keep the power to make and enforce their own laws. Tribes may use their own courts and procedures. State criminal and civil statutes do not take away these tribal powers.

Required tribal relations training for state staff

Agency heads and the governor’s policy advisors must attend training on working with federally recognized tribes. The Office of Indian Affairs expands this training for state employees in partnership with the Department of Enterprise Services, the Office of Financial Management state human resources, and agency tribal liaisons. The training is developed with tribal nations and offered online. Agencies work with the office to choose which staff attend and when.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Claudia Kauffman

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Bob Hasegawa

    Democratic • Senate

  • Derek Stanford

    Democratic • Senate

  • Javier Valdez

    Democratic • Senate

  • Marcus Riccelli

    Democratic • Senate

  • Marko Liias

    Democratic • Senate

  • Steve Conway

    Democratic • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

  • Yasmin Trudeau

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 193 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/10/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 3/4/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 95 • No: 0 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 2/12/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 49 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/30/2026Senate

  2. Chapter 245, 2026 Laws.

    3/30/2026Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    3/30/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. President signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    3/10/2026Senate

  8. Senate concurred in House amendments.

    3/10/2026House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    3/4/2026Senate

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/4/2026Senate

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

    3/4/2026Senate

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

    3/4/2026Senate

  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    3/2/2026Senate

  14. APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s) by State Government & Tribal Relations.

    3/2/2026Senate

  15. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    3/2/2026Senate

  16. Referred to Appropriations.

    2/25/2026Senate

  17. SGOV - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/24/2026Senate

  18. SGOV - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    2/24/2026Senate

  19. First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Relations.

    2/14/2026Senate

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

    2/12/2026Senate

  21. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/12/2026Senate

  22. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/12/2026Senate

  23. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/10/2026Senate

  24. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    1/26/2026Senate

  25. Minority; without recommendation.

    1/23/2026Senate

Bill Text

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