2026 Legislative Session
Our legislative priorities aim to advance social, economic, and racial equity for people living in poverty. TimelineUpdates & ResourcesOVERVIEW
Columbia Legal Services is a non-profit civil legal aid organization dedicated to advancing social, economic, and racial equity for people living in poverty across Washington state. By providing legal assistance, including class actions and policy advocacy, we serve individuals who face barriers to federally funded legal services due to government restrictions. Guided by principles of justice, dignity, and inclusivity, we supports legislation that challenges punitive policies and promotes fair treatment for all individuals, regardless of their circumstances.
Our priorities for the 2026 state legislative session include:
- Supporting immigrant equity in health care coverage (budget proviso)
- Protecting immigrant workers by notifying them about upcoming immigration document audits (HB 2015 | SB 5852)
- Establishing collective bargaining rights for farmworkers (SB 6045)
- Protecting the rights of people who shelter in their vehicles (HB 1240)
- Alleviate crowding and poor conditions in Juvenile Rehabilitation facilities by expanding access to community placement
- Stopping the state investment in private prison companies
- Require private detention centers currently operating to report serious incidents to the state and to law enforcement
- Reducing inequitable sentences (HB 1125 | SB 5269)
- Reducing long sentences for offenses committed as a young person, both proactively (HB 1317), and retroactively (HB 1274 | SB 5715)
TIMELINE
Important Session DatesCutoff dates are tentative, and must be approved by both the Senate and House of Representatives.
January 12
February 4
February 17
February 25
March 6
March 12
First Day of Session
Lawmakers begin meetings and committee work, considering proposed bills that will impact Washington’s laws on a variety of issues.
Last day to advance bills out of policy committees
Policy committees have until today to decide which bills will advance this session. Bills with fiscal impacts will then have to be voted out of fiscal committees by February 9.
Last day to pass bills out of their house of origin (House or Senate)
If they do pass out of their house of origin, bills will then be considered by the other legislative body (House or Senate).
Last day to pass bills out of committees in opposite chamber
The committees considering bills received from the opposite chamber have until today to decide which bills will continue to advance. Bills with fiscal impacts will then have be voted out of fiscal committees by March 2.
Last Chance
Policy bills must pass out of the opposite chamber by today at 5pm.
Sine Die (Last Day)
Last day allowed for regular session under the state constitution.
January 12 - First Day of Session
Lawmakers begin meetings and committee work, considering proposed bills that will impact Washington’s laws on a variety of issues.
February 4 - Last day to advance bills out of policy committees
Policy committees have until today to decide which bills will advance this session. Bills with fiscal impacts will then have to be voted out of fiscal committees by February 9.
February 17 - Last day to pass bills out of their house of origin (House or Senate)
If they do pass out of their house of origin, bills will then be considered by the other legislative body (House or Senate).
February 25 - Last day to pass bills out of committees in opposite chamber
The committees considering bills received from the opposite chamber have until today to decide which bills will continue to advance. Bills with fiscal impacts will then have be voted out of fiscal committees by March 2.
March 6 - Last Chance
Policy bills must pass out of the opposite chamber by today at 5pm.
March 12 - Sine Die (Last Day)
Last day allowed for regular session under the state constitution.
