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WashingtonHB 19092025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Establishing the court unification task force.

Sponsored By: Jamila Taylor (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Court unification task force and timeline

The law creates the Court Unification Task Force to study Washington’s court system and access. It must hold its first meeting by October 1, 2026 and meet at least twice each year. A preliminary report is due June 30, 2027. A final report with solutions and a long-term plan is due June 30, 2028. At least one more full meeting happens before June 30, 2029. The task force completes its work by December 31, 2029, and the chapter expires on that date.

Member costs covered and focused subcommittees

Task force members can get travel costs reimbursed. Legislative members follow RCW 44.04.120. Other members follow chapter 43.03 RCW. People facing financial hardship may get compensation under RCW 43.03.220. The task force may create subcommittees on court IT, funding and capacity, small and rural courts, facilities, services, and legislative impacts. Subcommittees set their own agendas, can invite experts, meet in person or online, and end when done.

Who serves and leads the task force

The task force includes legislators; city, county, and clerk reps; judges from all court levels; and tribal courts. It also includes public defense, civil legal aid, court administration and hearings, the bar, prosecutors, and paralegals. Community nonprofits, sheriffs and police chiefs, a survivor group, two civil litigants, and one formerly incarcerated person serve. The Governor and Attorney General may each add one nonvoting member. The cochairs are the House Civil Rights and Judiciary chair and the Chief Justice. They ask the State Bar to provide staff support.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jamila Taylor

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Adam Bernbaum

    Democratic • House

  • Adison Richards

    Democratic • House

  • Alex Ramel

    Democratic • House

  • Amy Walen

    Democratic • House

  • April Berg

    Democratic • House

  • Brianna Thomas

    Democratic • House

  • Cindy Ryu

    Democratic • House

  • Darya Farivar

    Democratic • House

  • Davina Duerr

    Democratic • House

  • Debra Entenman

    Democratic • House

  • Gerry Pollet

    Democratic • House

  • Jake Fey

    Democratic • House

  • Janice Zahn

    Democratic • House

  • Julia Reed

    Democratic • House

  • Julio Cortes

    Democratic • House

  • Lauren Davis

    Democratic • House

  • Lillian Ortiz-Self

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Parshley

    Democratic • House

  • Liz Berry

    Democratic • House

  • Natasha Hill

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole Macri

    Democratic • House

  • Osman Salahuddin

    Democratic • House

  • Roger Goodman

    Democratic • House

  • Sharon Tomiko Santos

    Democratic • House

  • Sharon Wylie

    Democratic • House

  • Steve Tharinger

    Democratic • House

  • Strom Peterson

    Democratic • House

  • Tarra Simmons

    Democratic • House

  • Timm Ormsby

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 143 • No: 92

House vote • 3/11/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 57 • No: 38 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 3/6/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 30 • No: 18 • Other: 1

House vote • 2/16/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 56 • No: 36 • Other: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/24/2026House

  2. Chapter 199, 2026 Laws.

    3/24/2026House

  3. Governor signed.

    3/24/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. President signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 57; nays, 38; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    3/11/2026House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    3/11/2026House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 18; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/6/2026House

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/6/2026House

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended.

    3/6/2026House

  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/5/2026House

  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/24/2026House

  14. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/24/2026House

  15. Minority; do not pass.

    2/24/2026House

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

    2/24/2026House

  17. First reading, referred to Law & Justice.

    2/18/2026House

  18. Third reading, passed; yeas, 56; nays, 36; absent, 0; excused, 6.

    2/16/2026House

  19. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/16/2026House

  20. 2nd substitute bill substituted.

    2/16/2026House

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

    2/14/2026House

  22. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/9/2026House

  23. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/7/2026House

  24. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/7/2026House

  25. Minority; do not pass.

    2/7/2026House

Bill Text

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