Which laws passed during the 2025 Washington State Legislative session impact the Courts of Limited Jurisdiction, and what are those impacts? 

 

A number of bills passed during the 2025 legislative session impacting the Courts of Limited Jurisdiction (CLJ) 

 

This Answer contains: 

  • The Bill Number and a link to the complete text of the bill from the Washington State Legislature’s Web site. 
  • A brief summary of the changes or additions created by the fill 
  • Court Awareness/Court Impact/Court Action section addresses the specific system, code, law table, or form changes due to the bill.  Also provided are the related links to updated documentation in the online manuals and links to eService Answers with additional information or instructions related to the bill, if applicable. 
  • Effective date of the law. 
  • Updated items will be documented with *** and the updated item will be highlighted. 
  • Select the bill name in the table of contents below to advance directly to the details for the bill. 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS


HB 1007 – Requisites of Notice in Small Claims

  • Bill # 1007
  • Summary – Amends the small claims Requisites of Notice statute (RCW 12.40.060) to clarify that failure to appear may, rather than will, result in default judgment against the defendant for the amount of the claim.
  • Court Awareness – The existing Notice of Small Claims already includes the language that was updated in the bill.  No forms changes will occur due to this bill. 
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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ESHB 1149 – Preventing Cruelty to Animals

  • Bill # 1149

  • Summary – Animal Fighting Statute is expanded to include when a person aids or abets in the commission of the offense. Animal Cruelty Statute is expanded to include a person who willfully instigates, engages or furthers any act of animal cruelty. As well as a person in possession, control of, residing with or who has accepted responsibility for an animal and who commits animal cruelty by knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence abandons or fails to provide medical attention, necessary food or water and that the animal suffers unjustifiable pain is guilty of animal cruelty. Legislation modifies the felony level and seriousness level of the animal fighting and animal cruelty statutes. 


A person who has been prohibited from owning an animal due to a conviction of animal cruelty or animal fighting who violates this prohibition shall be guilty of a misdemeanor for the first offense, a gross misdemeanor for the second offense and a Class C felony for the third or subsequent offense.

  • Court Impact – This bill creates a Misdemeanor, two Gross Misdemeanors, and a Felony violation.  
  • The list of law table changes can be found at the bottom of this answer. 
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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E2SHB 1163 – Enhancing Requirements Relating to the Purchase, Transfer, and Possession of Firearms

  • Bill # 1163
  • Summary – Legislation establishes the requirements, issuance, and revocation of a valid permit to purchase firearms.  Firearms safety training requirements needed to obtain a valid permit to purchase firearms, or a concealed pistol license are modified. Washington State Patrol (WSP) to establish a certification program for firearms safety training programs that meet statutory requirements. WSP to advise a dealer that a transfer of a firearm is delayed if the applicant has an outstanding arrest warrant, and upon confirmation that the warrant is valid the application is denied. WSP to notify a dealer that an application is delayed when there are existing records of open/pending criminal charges or commitment proceedings or arrest for a disqualifying offense. If application for permit to purchase firearms or concealed pistol license is denied or revoked the issuing authority/WSP shall provide in writing the specific grounds or statute on why it was denied or revoked. Revoked or denied applicant may seek relief in superior court under the writ of mandamus statutes (RCW 9.41.0975).  
  • Court Awareness – This bill changes the language around Concealed Pistol License denials, changing the jurisdiction of appeals of denials to the superior court.  The CLJ Civil Cause Code CCW – Carrying Concealed Weapon will be made obsolete effective May 1, 2027.  The JIS Civil Cause of Action Code Manual and the Enterprise Justice Code Manual will be updated to reflect this change.    
  • Court Impact – The protection orders will be updated to include additional language for this bill.  
  • Effective – May 1, 2027, except Section 6 which is effective July 27, 2025

 

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E2SHB 1174 – Court Interpreters

  • Bill # 1174 
  • Summary – This primary statute related to spoken language court interpreters was amended in several sections. Removes language that allowed limited English proficient (LEP) parties to be charged for interpreters in civil cases. Requires courts to use a team of interpreters per the existing requirements in GR 11.4. Revisions were made to the colloquy between the judicial officers and non-credentialed interpreters when interpreters are qualified for a proceeding. Requires courts to submit their language access plan to the Administrative Office of the Courts every two years beginning in 2026. Other small changes were made to the required content for language access plans. Requires courts to provide information about accessing language access services on their website.
  • Court Awareness – A one page handout from the AOC Language Access Program about the changes to Language Access Plans is available on the AOC’s public website: Summary of Legislative Updates to RCW 2.43
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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SHB 1205 – Prohibiting the Knowing Distribution of a Forged Digital Likeness

  • Bill # 1205
  • Summary – Criminal Impersonation in the second degree is modified to include knowing distribution of a forged digital likeness. Includes individuals who claim to be or create an impression that a person is a law enforcement officer and individuals who claim to be a veteran or an active-duty member of the armed forces with an intent to defraud for personal gain.
  • Court Awareness – This bill adds a subsection to the Gross Misdemeanor for Criminal Impersonation in the 2nd.  The current subsections for this law are not in the JIS and Enterprise Justice law tables so this subsection is not being added to the JIS law table until requested.  
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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SHB 1209 – Regulating the Transfer of Sodium Nitrite

  • Bill # 1209
  • Summary – Adopts “Tyler’s Law” as a new chapter in Title 69 RCW restricting sale or transfer of products containing sodium nitrate concentrations exceeding 10%; establishing labeling, shipping, and record-keeping requirements for permitted transfers; and deeming noncompliance Consumer Protection Act violation with violators subject to penalties and damage suits.
  • Court Impact– This bill creates a new civil filing that may be filed by a prosecutor or any aggrieved individual for violation of the Sodium Nitrate rules.
    • Use existing Civil Cause of Action Code CPA – Consumer Protection Act.
  • Effective – April 7, 2025

 

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EHB 1217 – Residential Tenants

  • Bill # 1217
  • Summary – Bars residential rent increases during initial year of tenancy and limit them during any subsequent 12-month; requires increase notices be substantially in specified-form, contain prescribed content, and include facts and landlord certification of eligibility for any claimed exemptions; specify time and manner of service for notice and, with limited exceptions, mandate increase not take effect until end of existing term; requires parity among lease types concerning amount of rent; bars landlords from reporting nonpayment of unlawful increases to tenant screening services; permits tenants to terminate tenancy for unauthorized rent increases if certain criteria met.

 

Authorizes tenant enforcement actions if first provide landlord opportunity to cure; permits Attorney General (AG) enforcement actions regardless of whether tenant offered cure opportunity with AG authorized to recover per violation penalty up to $7.5K and to issue civil investigative demands for pertinent information and materials; requires damage award to tenant if landlord found in violation and also requires in such instance reasonable attorneys’ fees be awarded to party bringing suit.  

  • Court Impact – Creates a new civil filing in District Courts. 
    • Use existing Civil Cause of Action Code REN – Rent.
  • Effective – May 7, 2025

 

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SHB 1244 – Training as an Alternative to Driver License Suspension for the Accumulation of Certain Traffic Infractions

  • Bill # 1244
  • Summary – Permits drivers whose licenses are pending suspension or have been suspended due to the accumulation of moving traffic infractions to participate in a safe driving course once every 5 years. Upon receiving notice of successful completion of the course and payment of any applicable fees, the Department of Licensing must terminate the suspension and place the driver on probation for one year. Drivers are ineligible for this suspension alternative for a violation that occurs during the probation period. 
  • Court Awareness – Courts with relicensing programs or specialty courts that assist with relicensing may want to include this option in their materials.
  • Effective – April 1, 2026

 

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ESHB 1293 – Concerning Litter

  • Bill # 1293

  • Summary – Increases the penalty for littering in an amount less than or equal to one cubic foot from a Class 3 to a Class 2 civil infraction, in addition to any penalty imposed for throwing or dropping material onto state highways. 
  • Court Awareness – The JIS and Enterprise Justice law tables will be updated for the changes in this bill.  
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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SHB 1325 – Expanding Enforcement Options for Certain Fish and Wildlife Violations


  • Bill # 1325
  • Summary – Expands enforcement options for certain fish, shellfish, and wildlife violations. Classifies certain hunting, firearms, fishing guide, and hydraulic code violations as natural resource infractions. Classifies trafficking of a certain amount of seaweed as unlawful trafficking in fish, shellfish, or wildlife in the second degree. Modifies fish and wildlife enforcement regulations for hunting of big game that are gross misdemeanors and felonies and prescribes mandatory penalties.
  • Court Awareness – The JIS and Enterprise Justice law tables will be updated for the changes in this bill.  
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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SHB 1371 – Parking Privileges for Veterans

  • Bill # 1371
  • Summary – Adds veterans with a 70% or higher disability rating and use of a service animal to those who may apply for a parking placard. Rating must be from the United States (US) Armed Forces or the US Department of Veterans Affairs. An applicant or health care practitioner who knowingly provides false information on this application is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. 
  • Court Awareness – The new gross misdemeanor will not be added to the JIS and Enterprise Justice law tables unless requested.  
  • Effective – October 1, 2025

 

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ESHB 1439 – Modifying Motor Vehicle and Driver Licensing Laws to Align with Federal Definitions

  • Bill # 1439
  • Summary – Modifies and aligns current state motor vehicle and driver licensing laws with federal definitions and streamlines registration requirements. Prohibits courts from masking traffic convictions of CDL or CLP license holders. 
  • Court Awareness – Every district court, municipal court, and clerk of the superior court shall report a traffic conviction of a CDL or CLP holder so that the conviction may be posted into the record.  No employee may take action to mask, defer imposition of judgment, or allow entry into a diversion or alternative disposition program. 
  • Effective – October 1, 2025, Sec. 5 January 1, 2031

 

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E2SHB 1440 – Seizure and Forfeiture Procedures and Reporting

  • Bill # 1440
  • Summary – Prescribes standardized procedures, requirements, and limitations for civil seizure and forfeiture of property; clarifying when and how forfeiture proceedings commenced; addressing ownership disputes, claimant rights, hearings, burden of proof, and removal to court; requiring removals be to district or municipal court if within their jurisdiction and mandating court forward copies of real property forfeiture orders to county assessor; providing for retention, use, and disposition of forfeited property and allowing proceeds to be used for restitution; requiring seized articles be returned in substantially similar condition; and establishing reporting, remittance and other requirements.
  • Court Awareness – Allows for forfeiture matters to be removed to a court of competent jurisdiction, to a district court or municipal court for the jurisdiction in which the property was seized, when the aggregate value of the personal property is within the jurisdictional limit of RCW 3.66.020.
  • Court Impact – New type of Civil filings for municipal courts.   
    • All courts should use existing Civil Cause of Action Code PFS – Petition for Seized Goods for these filings.
  • Effective – January 1, 2026

 

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E2SHB 1460 – Concerning protection order hope cards

  • Bill # 1460

  • Summary – Requires the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to develop and implement a program to issue hope cards in consultation with judicial branch stakeholders; adds the Gender and Justice Commission and representatives from gender-based violence survivor advocacy and legal assistance organizations as stakeholders; allows for individual courts to develop and implement a program for the issuance of hope cards; requires that the clerk of the court and the AOC issue the cards in a scannable format and include information related to firearm restrictions when the means and information becomes available.
  • Court Awareness – If courts have the means and information, they may issue hope cards.  If courts choose to develop and implement a program for issuance of hope cards, the Clerk must issue the card in a scannable format and include information related to firearm restrictions when the means and information becomes available.   Eligibility for hope cards is also expanding to Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO): however, it does not include the temporary orders entered in District Courts.
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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2SHB 1515 – Modernizing the Regulation of Alcohol Search in Public Spaces

  • Bill # 1515

  • Summary – Authorizes local governments with populations greater than 220,000 people to expand outdoor alcohol service until December 31, 2027, by requesting and receiving a special occasion license from the Liquor and Cannabis Board. Defines the guidance and criteria that the Liquor and Cannabis Board must use when providing licenses for and monitoring outdoor alcohol service and makes repeat violations within a two-year period cause for denial of license. Requires approved entities and local governments to submit results of community engagement review of expanded outdoor alcohol service to the Liquor and Cannabis Board by September 1, 2026. 
  • Court Awareness – This bill creates a new Class 1 Civil Infraction for violation of a Special Community Event License.  The new infraction will not be added to the JIS and Enterprise Justice law tables unless requested
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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ESHB 1562 – Increasing the Availability of Baby Diaper Changing Stations

  • Bill # 1562
  • Summary – Mandates baby diaper changing stations must be available in public buildings, where a public restroom is required. Requirements apply to newly constructed public buildings and to renovation projects in public buildings with an estimated cost of $15,000 or more, unless the local government determines the installation is not feasible or would not comply with the right of access for people with disabilities. First violation results in a warning letter from the city or county attorney, and subsequent violations are a Class 2 civil infraction. 
  • Court Awareness – The new infraction will not be added to the JIs and Enterprise Justice law tables unless requested.
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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ESHB 1596 – Accountability for Persons Speeding

  • Bill # 1596
  • Summary – Requires that people found guilty of excessive speeding are restricted to using vehicles equipped with an intelligent speed assistance device for at least six months. Defines excessive speeding as driving at 20 miles per hour or greater in excess of the posted speed limit if the posted limit is greater than 40 miles an hour, or 10 miles per hour or greater in excess of the posted speed limit if the limit is 40 miles per hour or less. Defines intelligent speed assistance device as a technical device designed to be installed within a motor vehicle to monitor and prevent a driver from exceeding a preset limit. Outlines the criteria of when a person may not drive a motor vehicle without a functioning intelligent speed assistance device as well as determines eligibility for installation, repair, maintenance, monitoring, or removal of an intelligent speed assistance device upon application to the Department of Licensing.

 

Creates two gross misdemeanors when 1) a person is found to tamper or interfere with the intelligent speed assistance device or asks another person to tamper or interfere with the device, and 2) a person is found to knowingly assist a person who is restricted to using the device. Adds that during the first 120 days of the period of probation following the period of suspension, a person who is required to drive a vehicle with an intelligent speed assistance device will receive a traffic infraction if they are found to operate a vehicle without the device; adds that for nonresidents, the period of probation is 150 days and that any traffic infraction for a moving violation committed during the period of probation results in an additional 30 day suspension or revocation. Requires people using an intelligent speed assistance device to be responsible for the operation of the device and to pay fees for the cost of device, unless waived.

 

Adds that persons who have applied for a temporary restricted driver’s license because of a suspended license and persons who have applied for an occupational driver’s license because of an administrative suspension due to an accumulation of moving violations and at least one violation is for excessive speeding are required to use a properly functioning intelligent speed assistance device when operating a motor vehicle. 

 

  • Court Awareness – A new Condition Code will need added for Intelligent Speed Assistance Device by the effective date of this bill.  AOC will work with DOL, prior to the effective date, to determine the best process for reporting when one of these devices has been ordered.  Law table updates will be made prior to the effective date of the bill.
  • Effective – January 1, 2029

 

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SHB 1848 – Traumatic Brain Injuries

  • Bill # 1848
  • Summary – Increases the traumatic brain injury (TBI) fee collected from traffic infractions from $5 to $10 to better fund in-person and community integration support groups and programs for those living with TBIs and their families. 
  • Court Impact– Most Infraction Traffic violation total fines will be increased by $5.00 due to this change and will be seen within the JTR and JTX Cost Fee Code.
    • The BARS Code for the JTR and JTX Cost Fee Code will not be updated for this change, only the total amount of the JTR and JTX codes will increase from $69 to $74.  This change will be reflected in the Cost Fee Code manuals.
    • The law table entries for all impacted laws will be in effect in both JIS and Enterprise Justice by the effective date of this bill.  The list of law table changes can be found at the bottom of this answer. 
    • The Infraction Penalty Calculator will be updated to include the new fee amounts.
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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ESHB 1878 – Improving Young Driver Safety

  • Bill # 1878
  • Summary – Substantially changes and expands requirements for young drivers (ages 18 to 25). Requires the Department of Licensing to establish a program to provide vouchers to cover the average cost of driver training education courses for qualifying drivers between the ages of 15 and 21. Increases the fee for a driver's instruction permit or driver’s license exam and restricts use of this revenue to a new account that expands and improves driver's education programs and activities. Authorizes speed safety camera revenue in excess of operation costs to also be used for the driver education safety improvement account.
  • Court Awareness – Revenue generated from the deployment of speed safety camera systems in highway work zones must be transferred to the driver education safety improvement account.  This does not include local speed camera infractions.
  • Effective – Various dates; Sec. 9 (revenue of speed safety camera systems) July 27, 2025

 

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ESB 5065 – Traveling Animal Acts

  • Bill # 5065
  • Summary – Creates a new gross misdemeanor for a traveling animal act that utilizes certain covered animals, constituting a new chapter in Title 9 RCW. Permanent facilities are exempt if they are licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture and performances are conducted by that facility. A city or county may adopt a more restrictive ordinance.
  • Court Awareness – The JIS and Enterprise Justice law tables will be updated for the changes in this bill.  
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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SSB 5074 – Seed Contract Payment

  • Bill # 5074
  • Summary – Adds a chapter to Title 15 RCW addressing relations between turf seed producers and dealers; adopting price, payment, and other requirements for seed production and purchase contracts; and authorizing attorney fee awards in actions on such contracts when the non-prevailing party is found to have acted in bad faith 
  • Court Awareness – The new civil filing for breach of turf seed production or purchase contract applies to seed contracts entered into, extended, or renewed on or after the effective date of this bill.  
    • Use existing Civil Cause of Action Code BRE – Breach of Contract.
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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ESSB 5202 –Judicial Orders 

  • Bill # 5202
  • Summary – Provides for prosecutors’ offices to use the confidential information sheet, requires the issuance of a protective order if the confidential information sheet is wrongfully disclosed, allow minors protected by a protection order who reach the age of 18 to file for renewal, permits the petitioner to file a motion to modify or terminate an ex-parte order without notice if respondent has not yet been served, adds a provision disfavoring issuing mutual full protection orders, and provides the judicial officers presiding over full hearings who reissue a temporary order to modify the terms to remedy an error or based on the facts of the case. Unlawful possession of a firearm in the first degree was amended to include untraceable or undetectable firearms. 
  • Court Awareness – A minor who is or was previously protected by a protection order and has reached the age of 18 may petition for renewal of the order as the petitioner.  If the order is expired before they turn 18 they have 1 year from the expiration date to petition for the renewal. 
  • Court Impact – When an order is granted for renewal in one of these cases the new order shall become a new case filing, with a new case number, for tracking this renewal and the previously protected party becomes the petitioner on the new case.
    • A new protection order renewal form will be created. A new code Docket Code for JIS and Event Code for Enterprise Justice will be added for use when the new form is filed.
    • PTROPPM – Petition and Motion to Renew Protection Order – Protected Minor
  • Effective – July 27, 2025, except for Section 1 which is effective March 31, 2026

 

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SB 5209 – Listing the Department of L&I in the Definition of Limited Authority WA Law Enforcement Agency 

  • Bill # 5209
  • Summary – Adds the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) to the definition of a Limited Authority Washington State Law Enforcement Agency, but does not grant additional enforcement authority to L&I. 
  • Court Awareness – L&I already exists in JIS and Enterprise Justice as a Law Enforcement Agency so there are no changes related to this bill.  
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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  • Bill # 5217

  • Summary – Known as the Healthy Starts Act, this bill allows a person who breastfeeds or expresses breast milk for an infant under the age of 24 months to request a delay in, or to be excused from, jury service. Courts must grant this request if the person attests that they are unable to serve. 

 

The Healthy Starts Act also defines unfair practices of employers towards their pregnant employees and describes different avenues of relief. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is tasked to enforce this act by investigating complaints, imposing civil penalties, and posting online educational materials explaining the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees. In addition, a pregnant person may file a civil cause of action in addition to a complaint with L&I.  

  • Court Awareness – CLJ courts that process their own jury panels, including requests for excusal, need to be aware of this change.   Courts must grant requests to delay or excuse jury service for persons who breastfeed or express breast milk for infants under 24 months of age.
  • Effective – January 1, 2027

 

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ESSB 5390 – Access to Recreation Sites or Lands

  • Bill # 5390
  • Summary – Increases cost of discover pass to $45. Adds the lifetime disabled veteran pass as equivalent in benefits to the discover pass. Reduces the penalty for a natural resource infraction from $99 to $59 if an individual demonstrates their purchase of a discover pass or has obtained a lifetime disabled veteran pass within 15 days after issuance of violation notice. 
  • Court Awareness – If courts have a process for doing the reduction of this fine at the front counter, please make sure they are aware that the reduction includes lifetime disabled veteran passes obtained within the 15 days of the violation. 
  • Effective – July 27, 2025; Sec. 1-5 October 1, 2025

 

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ESSB 5627 – Improving Safe Evacuation Practices and Preventing Damage to Underground Utilities

  • Bill # 5627
  • Summary – Modifies several requirements in the Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act relating to needed notices prior to excavation as well as during excavation, and duties when excavation causes damage to certain underground infrastructure. Starting January 1, 2026, an excavator may not start work until a positive response is received from operators with underground facilities in the area identified in the notice. Amends civil and criminal penalties for excavators and operators in violation, including civil penalties of up to $25,000 for each violation. 
  • Court Awareness – Adds two new misdemeanors for excavating within 35 feet of a transmission pipeline.  The new laws will not be added to the JIS and Enterprise Justice law tables unless requested.
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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SB 5651 – Garnishment Exemptions

  • Bill # 5651
  • Summary – Increases the amount of personal property in financial accounts and securities automatically exempt from execution, attachment, and garnishment (collectively “garnishment”) in non-bankruptcy proceedings for consumer debt from $1000 to $2000; makes automatic non-bankruptcy proceeding exemptions permanent; requires personal property exemption amount be adjusted and reported triennially by Department of Revenue beginning 7/1/2027; exempts monies paid or owed to debtor as alimony or spousal support from garnishment; clarifies garnishment exemptions inapplicable to collection actions by alimony and spousal support agencies; and modifies garnishment forms and instructions to reflect changes.
  • Court Awareness – The Garnishment Exemption Forms will be updated for these changes.
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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SB 5669 – Concerning Irrigation District Elections

  • Bill # 5669
  • Summary – Authorizes irrigation district electors to vote by absentee ballot, without requiring a certification. Elections may be conducted using only mail-in ballots in lieu of polling places and absentee ballots. Establishes new gross misdemeanors for irrigation district election and election security violations. 
  • Court Awareness – Adds new gross misdemeanors that will not be added to the JIS and Enterprise Justice law table unless requested.
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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SB 5716 – Unlawful Transit Conduct Violations to Include WA State Ferries

  • Bill # 5716
  • Summary – Adds the Washington state ferries to the statutory definition of transit authority where violation of unlawful transit conduct results in a misdemeanor.
  • Court Awareness – Courts near ferry routes may see additional filings for the misdemeanors that occur on a Washington State Ferry. 
  • Effective – July 27, 2025

 

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