PRIA Logo™
WashingtonSB 57202025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Enacting the uniform consumer debt default judgments act.

Sponsored By: Jamie Pedersen (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

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

Consumers gain remedies for debt lawsuit violations

Beginning January 1, 2027, courts may deny default requests or default judgments when collectors break the covered debt-lawsuit rules. Courts may give collectors 30 days after sending notice to file a corrected complaint before dismissing the case. This dismissal does not bar a later lawsuit. Violations while collecting purchased debt also count as unfair practices under Washington's Consumer Protection Act. The debt holder or an affiliate is subject to the penalty in RCW 19.16.450. Consumers cannot sign away these protections, but voluntary settlements and judgments that are not default judgments remain allowed.

More proof and warnings in debt lawsuits

For covered Washington lawsuits started on or after January 1, 2027, collectors must meet new requirements before getting a default judgment. A default judgment is a court decision entered when the consumer does not respond. The rules cover unsecured consumer debt, money-only claims for secured debt, and balances left after collateral is sold. They exclude cases to take or sell property and government debt collection. Complaints must identify the consumer, creditor, account, key dates, balance, and amount sought, with charges, fees, payments, and possible increases explained. Medical-debt complaints must also name the provider or facility. Collectors must explain their right to sue, why the court location is proper, and why the filing deadline has not passed. They must supply debt records; purchased-debt claims also need purchase disclosures and records showing every ownership transfer. Debt buyers must disclose purchase details, including discounted purchases and whether sellers guaranteed the records' accuracy, and support debt amounts with qualifying business records. Complaints seeking default judgments must include or come with a warning in at least 10-point type. It explains possible property seizures, wage or bank garnishment, property liens, and enforcement for up to 20 years. It also explains possible effects on housing, jobs, insurance, and credit, and points to legal help, including 211 and free or reduced-cost services.

Easier license proof for collection agencies

Beginning January 1, 2027, a current collection-agency license copy serves as initial proof of Washington licensing and bonding. This also applies to out-of-state collection agencies. The copy no longer needs the director's certification. Agencies generally must prove licensing and bonding to bring or maintain lawsuits. A limited exception allows default judgments without that proof, but the law's other default-judgment requirements still apply.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jamie Pedersen

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Judy Warnick

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 140 • No: 1

House vote • 3/4/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 93 • No: 1 • Other: 4

Senate vote • 2/5/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 47 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 1/1/2027.

    3/18/2026Senate

  2. Chapter 107, 2026 Laws.

    3/18/2026Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    3/18/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/9/2026legislature

  5. President signed.

    3/5/2026legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    3/5/2026legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 93; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 4.

    3/4/2026Senate

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/4/2026Senate

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

    2/27/2026Senate

  10. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/25/2026Senate

  11. CRJ - Majority; do pass.

    2/24/2026Senate

  12. CRJ - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/24/2026Senate

  13. First reading, referred to Civil Rights & Judiciary.

    2/9/2026Senate

  14. Third reading, passed; yeas, 47; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    2/5/2026Senate

  15. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/5/2026Senate

  16. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/5/2026Senate

  17. Placed on second reading consent calendar.

    2/4/2026Senate

  18. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    1/23/2026Senate

  19. LAW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    1/22/2026Senate

  20. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

    1/12/2026Senate

  21. First reading, referred to Law & Justice.

    2/10/2025Senate

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation