WashingtonSB 60342025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Concerning statutory establishment of the governor's office of Indian affairs.

Sponsored By: Claudia Kauffman (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

State services guaranteed for eligible Native people

The law entitles American Indians subject to Washington’s jurisdiction under Title 9A RCW and chapter 37.12 RCW to all state services. These include correctional legal aid, public defense, probation, and psychiatric services available to other parties in state criminal or civil cases.

Cabinet office leads Washington’s tribal relations

The law establishes the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs as a cabinet agency. It helps the governor develop and review policies and legislation affecting tribes and tribal and urban Indian organizations. It advises agencies and connects state, tribal, and federal policy work, including issues affecting tribal rights and Native residents. The office holds regular meetings on shared issues and annual tribal-leader meetings to carry out the Centennial Accords. The governor appoints its director with Senate consent, sets the director’s salary, and can remove the director. The director hires staff covered by state employment law and can delegate duties. By November 1 each year, the office must report on the previous fiscal year’s work, funding, expenses, staffing, goals, challenges, achievements, and relevant laws. The report must be accessible to the public, submitted under state reporting rules, and linked on the office’s website.

State leaders must take tribal-relations training

The Office of Indian Affairs must provide training on communication and collaboration with federally recognized tribes. Every executive and small cabinet agency head, governor’s policy advisor, and executive leadership team member must attend. The office must develop more training with the Department of Enterprise Services, state human resources, and agency tribal liaisons. Tribal nations must be consulted, and training must be accessible, including electronically. Cabinet agencies must work with the office to choose which staff receive the additional training and when.

Tribes keep their laws and courts

The law does not infringe on the sovereignty of federally recognized, self-governing tribes. Federally recognized tribes whose traditional lands and territories included parts of Washington retain their own lawmaking authority. They can enforce their laws, regulations, and ordinances through tribal courts using their own court rules.

Private gifts can support tribal gatherings

The Office of Indian Affairs can set operating and spending rules and request or accept private grants and gifts. It can use this money for state-tribal gatherings, including gift exchanges, or other office activities. The office must keep the money and interest separate from state funds in a bank account. These funds are not public money and are exempt from legislative spending approval, allotment, and chapter 43.88 RCW budget rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Claudia Kauffman
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

Bob Hasegawa
Democratic • Senate
Derek Stanford
Democratic • Senate
Javier Valdez
Democratic • Senate
Marcus Riccelli
Democratic • Senate
Marko Liias
Democratic • Senate
Steve Conway
Democratic • Senate
T'wina Nobles
Democratic • Senate
Yasmin Trudeau
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 193 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/10/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 3/4/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 95 • No: 0 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 2/12/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage