Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 1 D · 1 R cosponsors

SB 5720 — Enacting the uniform consumer debt default judgments act.

Last action — Effective date 1/1/2027.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 10, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Bob Ferguson (Democratic) on March 18, 2026.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 90% · high confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (1 D · 1 R) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 2 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

285 added · 333 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendments to Bill SB 5720 introduced a new section that emphasizes the legislature's intent to enhance consumer protections regarding debt collection. It expands the obligations previously limited to debt buyers, ensuring that all holders of purchased debt and their affiliates must comply with new disclosure requirements. Additionally, these changes introduce new remedies for consumers if debt collectors fail to meet these standards, which promotes greater accountability and transparency in the debt collection process. This matters because it aims to better safeguard consumers from unfair practices and ensures they have more rights in dealing with debt collectors.

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S-3890.4 SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5720 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session By Senate Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Pedersen and Warnick;
Z-0128.6 SENATE BILL 5720 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By Senators Pedersen and Warnick;
by request of Uniform Law Commission) READ FIRST TIME 01/23/26.
by request of Uniform Law Commission AN ACT Relating to the uniform consumer debt default judgments act;
AN ACT Relating to the uniform consumer debt default judgments act;
adding a new chapter to Title 4 RCW;
and adding a new chapter to Title 4 RCW.
and providing an effective date.
INTENT.
The legislature enacted critical protections for consumers in 2020 through the passage of Substitute House Bill No.
2476 regarding debt buyers.
In enacting the uniform consumer debt default judgments act, the legislature intends to broaden those protections by:
(1) Expanding requirements and remedies previously applicable only to debt buyers to be applicable to all holders of purchased debt and any affiliates;
and (2) imposing new disclosure requirements in all actions to collect consumer debt and new remedies in actions in which those requirements are not satisfied.
NEW SECTION.
Sec.
3.
(1) "Affiliate" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 48.31B.005.
(1) "Charge off" means a creditor's removal of a consumer debt as an asset from the creditor's financial records.
p.
(2) "Consumer" means an individual named as a defendant in an action for collection of a consumer debt to which this chapter applies.
1 SSB 5720 (2) "Charge off" means a creditor's removal of a consumer debt as an asset from the creditor's financial records.
(3) "Consumer debt" means an obligation or alleged obligation of an individual to pay money that arises out of a transaction in which the money, property, insurance, or service that is the subject of the transaction is primarily for a personal, family, or household purpose.
(3) "Consumer" means an individual named as a defendant in an action for collection of a consumer debt to which this chapter applies.
(4) "Creditor" means a person to which a consumer debt is owed at the time of the itemization date.
(4) "Consumer debt" means an obligation or alleged obligation of an individual to pay money that arises out of a transaction in which the money, property, insurance, or service that is the subject of the transaction is primarily for a personal, family, or household purpose.
If the debt is owed to a debt purchaser on the itemization date, the "creditor" is the person to p.
(5) "Creditor" means a person to which a consumer debt is owed at the time of the itemization date.
1 SB 5720 whom the debt was owed immediately prior to the time the debt was purchased or acquired by a debt purchaser.
If purchased debt is owed on the itemization date, the "creditor" is the person to whom the purchased debt was owed immediately prior to the time the debt was purchased or acquired.
(5) "Debt purchaser" means a person who purchased or acquired ownership of the debt after the debt was charged off, or if the debt was not charged off, after the time of default.
(9) "Medical debt" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 19.16.100.
(9) "Outstanding balance" means the amount owed on a consumer debt on the itemization date.
(10) "Outstanding balance" means the amount owed on a consumer debt on the itemization date.
(10) "Medical debt" means any obligation for the payment of money owed by a consumer to a person whose primary business is providing medical services, products, or devices, or to such person's agent or assignee, for the provision of such medical services, products, or devices.
p.
(12) "Record" means information:
2 SSB 5720 (12) "Purchased debt" means debt that is purchased or ownership of which is acquired after having been incurred by the consumer.
(13) "Record" means information:
(14) "Secured consumer debt" means a consumer debt secured by real or personal property.
(13) "Secured consumer debt" means a consumer debt secured by real or personal property.
(15) "Sign" means, with present intent to authenticate or adopt a record:
(14) "Sign" means, with present intent to authenticate or adopt a record:
(a) Execute or adopt a tangible symbol;
p.
2 SB 5720 (a) Execute or adopt a tangible symbol;
(16) "Unsecured consumer debt" means a consumer debt not secured by real or personal property.
(15) "Unsecured consumer debt" means a consumer debt not secured by real or personal property.
4.
3.
5.
4.
(1) A default judgment in an action to which this chapter applies may be entered only if the complaint or amended complaint complies with this section and includes the notice required under section 6 of this act.
(1) A default judgment in an action to which this chapter applies may be entered only if the complaint or amended complaint complies with this section and includes the notice required under section 5 of this act.
(2) If the plaintiff amends a complaint before a responsive pleading is made, causing it to comply with this section or include the notice required under section 6 of this act where it did not previously, the personal jurisdiction of the court over the defendant p.
(2) If the plaintiff amends a complaint before a responsive pleading is made, causing it to comply with this section or include the notice required under section 5 of this act where it did not previously, the personal jurisdiction of the court over the defendant is voided and is acquired again only when the amended complaint is served on the defendant as though it was the original complaint.
3 SSB 5720 is voided and is acquired again only when the amended complaint is served on the defendant as though it was the original complaint.
(d) At least the last four digits of the account number or other account identifier used by the creditor in communicating with the consumer before the itemization date;
p.
(e) The date of the last payment, if applicable, or the date of the last transaction;
3 SB 5720 (d) At least the last four digits of the account number or other account identifier used by the creditor in communicating with the consumer before the itemization date;
(e) The date and amount of the last payment;
(l) Facts sufficient to demonstrate that the action is being commenced within the statute of limitation period applicable to the debt;
(l) Facts sufficient to demonstrate that, if the plaintiff is prohibited by statute from bringing the action outside of the applicable statute of limitations, the action is being commenced within the statute of limitation period applicable to the debt;
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and (m) If the plaintiff is bringing an action to recover purchased debt on behalf of a person who holds purchased debt:
and (m) If the plaintiff is a debt purchaser or bringing the action on behalf of a debt purchaser:
(i) That the action is being brought by, or for the benefit of, a person that is engaged in the business of purchasing debt for collection purposes;
(i) The name of each person that acquired ownership of the debt after charge off or, if the debt was not charged off, after default;
(ii) The date the debt was purchased;
and (ii) The date of each acquisition.
(iii) The identity of the person from whom or which the debt was purchased;
(4) Subject to authentication required by other laws of this state and rules of procedure, the plaintiff must attach to the complaint or amended complaint:
p.
4 SSB 5720 (iv) That the plaintiff may have purchased this debt for less than the value stated in the complaint;
(v) If the debt was at any time sold without any representation or warranty of accuracy, a statement to that effect;
and (vi) If the account is not a revolving credit account, the date the debt was incurred.
(4) Subject to authentication that satisfies the requirements of rule 803(a)(6) of the rules of evidence and RCW 5.45.020 or is otherwise authorized by law or rule, the plaintiff must attach to the complaint or amended complaint:
(i) A copy of an agreement signed by the consumer evidencing the original debt;
(i) An agreement signed by the consumer;
(ii) A copy of the most recent monthly statement recording a purchase, payment, or extension of credit;
(ii) A record of a purchase, payment, or use of an account;
(b) If the action is to recover purchased debt, a copy of the assignment or other writing establishing that the person asserting ownership of the debt is the owner of the debt.
and (b) If the plaintiff is not the creditor, a statement indicating the authority of the plaintiff to collect the debt.
If the debt was assigned more than once, each assignment or other writing evidencing transfer of ownership must be attached to establish an unbroken chain of ownership, beginning with the original creditor to the first person who held purchased debt and each subsequent sale;
p.
(c) If the action is based on a credit card debt for which a signed writing evidencing the original debt does not exist, a copy of the most recent monthly statement recording a purchase transaction, payment, or other extension of credit;
4 SB 5720 NEW SECTION.
and (d) If the action is based on a breach of contract, a copy of the terms and conditions in place at the time of the most recent monthly statement recording a purchase transaction, payment, or extension of credit must also be attached.
NEW SECTION.
6.
5.
(1) A default judgment may be entered in an action to which this chapter applies only if the complaint or amended complaint served on the consumer includes, or is accompanied by, a notice warning that a default judgment may be awarded against the consumer in no less than 10 point type.
(1) A default judgment may be entered in an action to which this chapter applies only if the complaint or amended complaint served on the consumer includes, or is accompanied by, a notice warning that a default judgment may be awarded against the consumer.
p.
(a) If the consumer does not file an answer to the complaint or amended complaint, a default judgment may be entered against the consumer;
5 SSB 5720 (a) If the consumer does not file an answer to the complaint or amended complaint, a default judgment may be entered against the consumer;
What Will Happen If I Do Nothing?A judgment may be entered against you if you do not file a response to the lawsuit.
What Will Happen If I Do Nothing?A judgment may be entered against you.
6 SSB 5720 3.
5 SB 5720 3.
7.
6.
(1) If a plaintiff in an action to which this chapter applies fails to comply with any requirement of this chapter, the court may deny the plaintiff's motion for default or default judgment and may on motion of a party or on the court's own motion issue a notice that the court will dismiss the case without prejudice unless, within 30 days following the sending to the plaintiff of such notice of intent to dismiss, the plaintiff submits for filing an amended complaint that complies with this chapter.
If a plaintiff in an action to which this chapter applies fails to comply with any requirement of this chapter, the court may deny the plaintiff's motion for default or default judgment and may on motion of a party or on the court's own motion issue a notice that the court will dismiss the case without prejudice unless, within 30 days following the sending to the plaintiff of such notice of intent to dismiss, the plaintiff files an amended complaint that complies with this chapter.
(2) The commission or facilitation of an act or practice in violation of this chapter by a person who holds purchased debt or any affiliate while attempting to collect purchased debt are declared to be unfair acts or practices or unfair methods of competition in the conduct of trade or commerce for the purpose of the application of the consumer protection act found in chapter 19.86 RCW.
NEW SECTION.
In addition, violations of this chapter while attempting to collect purchased debt shall subject the person who holds purchased debt or any affiliate to the penalty in RCW 19.16.450.
p.
7 SSB 5720 NEW SECTION.
8.
7.
9.
8.
10.
9.
In applying and construing this uniform act, a court shall consider the promotion of uniformity of the law among jurisdictions that enact it.
In applying and construing this uniform act, a court p.
6 SB 5720 shall consider the promotion of uniformity of the law among jurisdictions that enact it.
11.
10.
7001(c), or authorize electronic delivery of any of the notices described in 15 U.S.C.
7001 (c), or authorize electronic delivery of any of the notices described in 15 U.S.C.
12.
11.
13.
12.
p.
(((2) No debt buyer may:
8 SSB 5720 (((2) No debt buyer may:
(i) If a claim is based on a credit card debt for which a signed writing evidencing the original debt does not exist, a copy of the most recent monthly statement recording a purchase transaction, payment, or other extension of credit and, if the claim is based on a breach of contract, a copy of the terms and conditions in place at the time of the most recent monthly statement recording a purchase transaction, payment, or extension of credit must also be attached;
(i) If a claim is based on a credit card debt for which a signed writing evidencing the original debt does not exist, a copy of the most recent monthly statement recording a purchase transaction, payment, or other extension of credit and, if the claim is based on a breach of contract, a copy of the terms and conditions in place at the time of the most recent monthly statement recording a purchase p.
7 SB 5720 transaction, payment, or extension of credit must also be attached;
If the debt was assigned more than once, each assignment or other writing evidencing transfer of ownership must be attached to establish an unbroken chain of p.
If the debt was assigned more than once, each assignment or other writing evidencing transfer of ownership must be attached to establish an unbroken chain of ownership, beginning with the original creditor to the first debt buyer and each subsequent sale.
9 SSB 5720 ownership, beginning with the original creditor to the first debt buyer and each subsequent sale.
(iv) That the plaintiff may have purchased this claim or obligation for less than the value stated in the complaint;
p.
8 SB 5720 (iv) That the plaintiff may have purchased this claim or obligation for less than the value stated in the complaint;
14.
13.
15.
14.
EFFECTIVE DATE.
Sections 1 through 11 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 4 RCW.
This act takes effect January 1, 2027.
NEW SECTION.
Sec.
16.
Sections 1 through 12 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 4 RCW.
10 SSB 5720
9 SB 5720
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Action History

  1. Effective date 1/1/2027.

  2. Chapter 107, 2026 Laws.

  3. Governor signed.

  4. Delivered to Governor.

  5. Speaker signed.

  6. President signed.

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

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

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

  10. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

  11. CRJ - Majority; do pass.

  12. Executive action taken in the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary at 10:30 AM.

  13. Public hearing in the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary at 8:00 AM.

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

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

  16. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  17. 1st substitute bill substituted (LAW 26).

  18. Placed on second reading consent calendar.

  19. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

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

  21. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM.

  22. Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM.

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

  24. Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM.

  25. First reading, referred to Law & Justice.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 149 not signed on · 1 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (149)

149 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 149 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

3rd Reading & Final Passage (#26)

Passed 93 Yea · 1 Nay · 4 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 36101
Democrat 57003
Total 93104
% of votes cast 95%1%0%4%
How each member voted (98)
Member Party Vote
Adam Bernbaum Democrat Yea
Adison Richards Democrat Yea
Adrian Cortes Democrat Yea
Alex Ramel Democrat Yea
Alicia Rule Democrat Yea
Amy Walen Democrat Not Voting
April Berg Democrat Yea
Beth Doglio Democrat Yea
Brandy Donaghy Democrat Yea
Brianna Thomas Democrat Yea
Chipalo Street Democrat Yea
Chris Stearns Democrat Yea
Cindy Ryu Democrat Yea
Clyde Shavers Democrat Yea
Dan Bronoske Democrat Yea
Darya Farivar Democrat Yea
Dave Paul Democrat Not Voting
David Hackney Democrat Yea
Davina Duerr Democrat Yea
Debra Entenman Democrat Yea
Debra Lekanoff Democrat Yea
Edwin Obras Democrat Yea
Gerry Pollet Democrat Yea
Greg Nance Democrat Yea
Jake Fey Democrat Yea
Jamila Taylor Democrat Yea
Janice Zahn Democrat Yea
Javier Valdez Democrat Yea
Joe Fitzgibbon Democrat Yea
Joe Timmons Democrat Yea
Julia Reed Democrat Yea
Kristine Reeves Democrat Yea
Larry Springer Democrat Yea
Lauren Davis Democrat Yea
Laurie Jinkins Democrat Yea
Lillian Ortiz-Self Democrat Yea
Lisa Callan Democrat Yea
Lisa Parshley Democrat Yea
Liz Berry Democrat Yea
Mari Leavitt Democrat Yea
Mary Fosse Democrat Yea
Melanie Morgan Democrat Yea
Mia Gregerson Democrat Yea
Monica Jurado Stonier Democrat Yea
My-Linh Thai Democrat Yea
Natasha Hill Democrat Yea
Nicole Macri Democrat Yea
Osman Salahuddin Democrat Yea
Roger Goodman Democrat Yea
Sharlett Mena Democrat Yea
Sharon Tomiko Santos Democrat Yea
Sharon Wylie Democrat Yea
Shaun Scott Democrat Yea
Shelley Kloba Democrat Yea
Steve Bergquist Democrat Yea
Steve Tharinger Democrat Not Voting
Strom Peterson Democrat Yea
Tarra Simmons Democrat Yea
Timm Ormsby Democrat Yea
Zach Hall Democrat Yea
Alex Ybarra Republican Yea
Andrew Barkis Republican Yea
Andrew Engell Republican Yea
April Connors Republican Yea
Brian Burnett Republican Yea
Carolyn Eslick Republican Yea
Chris Corry Republican Yea
Cyndy Jacobsen Republican Yea
Dan Griffey Republican Yea
David Stuebe Republican Yea
Deb Manjarrez Republican Yea
Drew Stokesbary Republican Yea
Ed Orcutt Republican Not Voting
Gloria Mendoza Republican Yea
Hunter Abell Republican Yea
Jenny Graham Republican Yea
Jeremie Dufault Republican Nay
Jim Walsh Republican Yea
Joe Schmick Republican Yea
Joel McEntire Republican Yea
John Ley Republican Yea
Joshua Penner Republican Yea
Kevin Waters Republican Yea
Mark Klicker Republican Yea
Mary Dye Republican Yea
Matt Marshall Republican Yea
Michael Keaton Republican Yea
Mike Steele Republican Yea
Mike Volz Republican Yea
Peter Abbarno Republican Yea
Rob Chase Republican Yea
Sam Low Republican Yea
Skyler Rude Republican Yea
Stephanie Barnard Republican Yea
Stephanie McClintock Republican Yea
Suzanne Schmidt Republican Yea
Tom Dent Republican Yea
Travis Couture Republican Yea

Official roll call →

3rd Reading & Final Passage (#5)

Passed 47 Yea · 0 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 28002
Republican 19000
Total 47002
% of votes cast 96%0%0%4%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
Adrian Cortes Democrat Yea
Annette Cleveland Democrat Yea
Bob Hasegawa Democrat Yea
Claire Wilson Democrat Yea
Claudia Kauffman Democrat Yea
Deborah Krishnadasan Democrat Yea
Derek Stanford Democrat Yea
Drew Hansen Democrat Yea
Emily Alvarado Democrat Yea
Jamie Pedersen Democrat Yea
Javier Valdez Democrat Yea
Jesse Salomon Democrat Yea
Jessica Bateman Democrat Yea
John Lovick Democrat Yea
June Robinson Democrat Yea
Lisa Wellman Democrat Yea
Liz Lovelett Democrat Not Voting
Manka Dhingra Democrat Yea
Marcus Riccelli Democrat Yea
Marko Liias Democrat Yea
Mike Chapman Democrat Yea
Noel Frame Democrat Yea
Rebecca Saldaña Democrat Not Voting
Sharon Shewmake Democrat Yea
Steve Conway Democrat Yea
T'wina Nobles Democrat Yea
Tina Orwall Democrat Yea
Vandana Slatter Democrat Yea
Victoria Hunt Democrat Yea
Yasmin Trudeau Democrat Yea
Chris Gildon Republican Yea
Curtis King Republican Yea
Drew MacEwen Republican Yea
Jeff Holy Republican Yea
Jeff Wilson Republican Yea
Jim McCune Republican Yea
John Braun Republican Yea
Judy Warnick Republican Yea
Keith Goehner Republican Yea
Keith Wagoner Republican Yea
Leonard Christian Republican Yea
Mark Schoesler Republican Yea
Matt Boehnke Republican Yea
Nikki Torres Republican Yea
Paul Harris Republican Yea
Perry Dozier Republican Yea
Phil Fortunato Republican Yea
Ron Muzzall Republican Yea
Shelly Short Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

finance
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 5720?
SB 5720 is sponsored by Judy Warnick (Republican) and Jamie Pedersen (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 5720?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 10, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 5720?
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