WashingtonHB 22482025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Concerning corporate filings and other documents processed by the secretary of state's corporations and charities division.

Sponsored By: Osman Salahuddin (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Remote hiring alone avoids business registration

Beginning June 11, 2026, an entity formed outside Washington need not register just for employing a Washington-based remote worker. Other Washington business activity may still require registration. This exception does not change tax rules, service-of-process rules, or regulation outside this registration chapter.

Exchange student placement groups get reinstatement process

Beginning June 11, 2026, the secretary of state's office must create reinstatement rules for international exchange student placement organizations. These rules provide a path for organizations to regain registered status. The law does not specify the process's terms or a deadline for adopting the rules.

Some notarized documents lose state certification access

Beginning June 11, 2026, the secretary of state cannot certify a notary's signature on certain individually created documents. The restriction applies when a city, county, or state entity can or should issue the document as a certified copy. People seeking certification may need to get that copy from the relevant government office instead.

Businesses and nonprofits face new filing duties

Beginning June 11, 2026, Washington-formed entities must file an initial report within 120 days after their formation record takes effect. This includes limited liability partnerships and nonprofit corporations that were previously excluded. Registered entities formed outside Washington must include their home jurisdiction's name-change document when filing a Washington name-change amendment.

Business filing fees get limits and rules

Beginning June 11, 2026, fee caps use 2016 levels, with rule-based adjustments limited to studied average biennial cost increases. No fee applies to specified agent, dissolution, or withdrawal filings, or annual reports submitted with the annual license fee. Fees are not refunded for corrected filings or filed records withdrawn before taking effect. The first $50 of each covered annual license or renewal fee goes to the state treasury. The rest goes to the secretary of state's revolving fund; this allocation alone does not change the fee charged.

Trademark buyers lose certificates and $5 charge

Beginning June 11, 2026, the state ends its replacement trademark certificate process after a recorded transfer. The former certificate covered the rest of the registration term. Trademark recipients no longer pay the extra $5 certificate fee. This does not remove the separate fee for recording the transfer.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Osman Salahuddin
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Julia Reed
Democratic • House
Mari Leavitt
Democratic • House
Mary Fosse
Democratic • House
My-Linh Thai
Democratic • House
Natasha Hill
Democratic • House
Timm Ormsby
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 145 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 48 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 2/17/2026