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WashingtonHB 22742025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Modifying the Washington commercial electronic mail act.

Sponsored By: Larry Springer (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Rules for deceptive emails reaching Washington

The law bars sending, conspiring to send, or helping send commercial emails with knowingly false or misleading subject lines. That knowledge can be actual or reasonably inferred from objective facts. It also bans using another party’s internet domain without permission or hiding or misrepresenting an email’s source or route. These protections cover emails sent from Washington computers or to recipients known, or reasonably known, to be Washington residents. Senders are treated as knowing residency when that information is available on request from the recipient’s email-domain registrant. The law applies to lawsuits filed beginning June 11, 2026, including claims that arose earlier; otherwise, it applies only going forward.

Lower payouts for unlawful emails and texts

For unlawful commercial emails or texts, the law lowers recipients’ standard damages from $500 to $100 per qualifying message. You can still recover your actual damages if they exceed $100. Interactive computer services retain damages of $1,000 or their actual damages, whichever is greater. These rules apply to lawsuits filed on or after June 11, 2026, even when the claim arose earlier.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Larry Springer

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Adam Bernbaum

    Democratic • House

  • Stephanie McClintock

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 129 • No: 16

Senate vote • 3/6/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 43 • No: 5 • Other: 1

House vote • 2/16/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 86 • No: 11 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/23/2026House

  2. Chapter 135, 2026 Laws.

    3/23/2026House

  3. Governor signed.

    3/23/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/10/2026legislature

  5. President signed.

    3/9/2026legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    3/6/2026legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 43; nays, 5; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/6/2026House

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/6/2026House

  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/5/2026House

  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/25/2026House

  11. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/25/2026House

  12. BTE - Majority; do pass.

    2/25/2026House

  13. First reading, referred to Business, Trade & Economic Development.

    2/18/2026House

  14. Third reading, passed; yeas, 86; nays, 11; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    2/16/2026House

  15. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/16/2026House

  16. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    2/16/2026House

  17. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/16/2026House

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

    2/13/2026House

  19. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/4/2026House

  20. CPB - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/3/2026House

  21. Minority; do not pass.

    2/3/2026House

  22. CPB - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/3/2026House

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

    1/12/2026House

  24. Prefiled for introduction.

    1/6/2026House

Bill Text

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