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WashingtonSB 56512025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Increasing the amount exempt from garnishment in nonbankruptcy cases.

Sponsored By: Emily Alvarado (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More bank money protected from creditors

Beginning July 1, 2025, Washington automatically protects up to $2,000 in bank accounts from consumer-debt garnishment. Private student loan debt has $1,000 automatically protected and a $2,500 maximum exemption; other covered debts have $500 automatically protected. Automatic protection doubles when banks have proof that funds are community property of married people or domestic partners. Banks must release protected funds, even when the account balance exceeds the protected amount. Beginning July 1, 2027, the Department of Revenue adjusts and publishes these amounts every three years, using the previous three years’ consumer price changes and rounding to the nearest $25.

Support recipients keep money from creditors

Beginning July 1, 2025, Washington protects child support, alimony, and spousal support paid or owed to you from debt collection. This covers past-due, current, and future support, but the money must be traceable as support. The protection does not apply to collection for a support agency operating under Title IV-D, or its agent or assignee.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Emily Alvarado

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Adrian Cortes

    Democratic • Senate

  • Derek Stanford

    Democratic • Senate

  • Javier Valdez

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jesse Salomon

    Democratic • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

  • Vandana Slatter

    Democratic • Senate

  • 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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