Advocacy Days Legislative Recap
Legislative Update: Mid-Session Momentum in Olympia
The 2026 Washington State legislative session is a short, 60-day sprint, and lawmakers are already one-third of the way through. This is a critical period where early deadlines determine which bills will move forward and which will stall.
Understanding the cutoff calendar
In the Washington State Legislature, cutoffs are the survival deadlines every bill must meet to stay active. Think of it like a series of filters; if a bill doesn’t pass through the right committee by the deadline, it is essentially finished for the year. Because 2026 is a short 60-day session, these dates move incredibly fast.
Policy Committee Cutoff (February 4): This was the first hurdle. Bills had to be voted out of their original policy committees (like Education or Human Services). This phase proves the bill has enough support to be debated seriously.
Fiscal Committee Cutoff (February 9): Bills that cost money—like those expanding employment services—must pass out of fiscal committees (like House Appropriations or Senate Ways & Means). If a bill doesn't have a clear path in the state budget by this date, it often stalls, even if the policy is popular.
House of Origin Cutoff (February 17): This is the most critical deadline of the month. Every bill must be voted on and passed by the full House or Senate where it started. If a bill isn’t passed by 5:00 p.m. on the 17th, it won't move to the opposite chamber, and its journey ends for this session.
Here is an update on several key bills impacting the disability and education communities in Spokane and across the state.
SB 5863: Records at Lakeland Village
This bill passed the Washington State Senate unanimously. It would extend the rule that prevents destroying historical records from Lakeland Village through 2030. Keeping these records is important for public accountability and preserving the history of former residents. The bill now moves to the House for further consideration.
HB 2350: Transparency at Residential Habilitation Centers
HB 2350 has passed out of committee and is waiting in House Rules. It would require Residential Habilitation Centers to notify residents and families in writing within ten days if a facility is not meeting federal standards. The notice would include plans for fixing problems and any follow-up steps. The bill will need to move out of Rules to get a full vote in the House.
HB 1795: Restraint and Isolation in Schools
This bill addresses how restraint and isolation are used in public schools. It has passed the House Committee on Education and is now in House Rules. The goal is to make sure students, especially those with disabilities, are safe and that schools are held accountable. It must reach the House floor by February 17 to stay active.
SB 5681: Fiscal Review
SB 5681, which would lower the minimum age for supported employment services, had a hearing scheduled in the Senate Ways and Means Committee on February 5 at 1:30 p.m. Being in Ways and Means means the bill is being looked at for costs and budget impact as the session approaches the fiscal cutoff.
Looking Ahead
The next few weeks are crucial. Bills that do not quickly move past the house-of-origin cutoff on February 17 will likely not advance further in 2026. Families and advocates in Spokane have a unique opportunity to make a difference this legislative session. Sharing personal stories about how these policies affect daily life helps legislators understand the real-world impact of their decisions. Whether it is ensuring school safety or improving transparency in care facilities, your advocacy keeps these issues at the forefront of the session.
