Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted 30 D cosponsors

HB 1909 — Establishing the court unification task force.

Last action — Effective date 6/11/2026.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  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 24, 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 82% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 30 sponsors

    1 primary, 29 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (30 D).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 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

139 added · 145 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of Bill HB 1909 has removed references to specific issues such as "inefficiencies and inequities resulting from disparate local court rules, technology adoption, and funding levels." Instead, it focuses more broadly on reviewing the overall structure and operations of the Washington state court system. This change emphasizes a desire for general improvement in court efficiency and uniformity rather than addressing specific problems, potentially making it easier to implement changes that benefit all users of the court system.

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H-1542.1 SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1909 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By House Civil Rights & Judiciary (originally sponsored by Representatives Taylor, Goodman, Hill, Bernbaum, Farivar, Simmons, Peterson, Macri, Ortiz-Self, Walen, Ramel, Ryu, Thomas, Salahuddin, Duerr, Reed, Zahn, Entenman, Fey, Wylie, Richards, Cortes, Berry, Tharinger, Parshley, Berg, Santos, Ormsby, Pollet, and Davis) READ FIRST TIME 02/20/25.
H-1139.1 HOUSE BILL 1909 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By Representatives Taylor, Goodman, Hill, Bernbaum, Farivar, Simmons, Peterson, Macri, Ortiz-Self, Walen, Ramel, Ryu, Thomas, Salahuddin, Duerr, Reed, Zahn, Entenman, Fey, Wylie, Richards, Cortes, Berry, Tharinger, Parshley, Berg, Santos, Ormsby, Pollet, and Davis Read first time 02/10/25.
Referred to Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary.
1 SHB 1909 state bar association's new standards for indigent defense, which derive from a constitutional mandate;
1 HB 1909 state bar association's new standards for indigent defense, which derive from a constitutional mandate;
The court unification task force is established to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the current Washington state court system, including the review of the inefficiencies and inequities resulting from disparate local court rules, technology adoption, and funding levels, and identify areas where a more unified or centralized approach to court operations may improve efficiency and uniformity in the delivery of court and judicial services, as well as consistency in outcomes and ease of access for those who use the court system, including victims, defendants, litigants, and counsel.
The court unification task force is established to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the current Washington state court system, including the review of the structure, policies, practices, and procedures of the state courts, and identify areas where a more unified or centralized approach to court operations may improve efficiency and uniformity in the delivery of court and judicial services, as well as consistency in outcomes and ease of access for those who use the court system, including victims, defendants, litigants, and counsel.
(d) One person representing the attorney general's office, appointed by the attorney general;
2 SHB 1909 (d) One person representing the attorney general's office, appointed by the attorney general;
2 HB 1909 (e) One person representing cities, appointed by the association of Washington cities;
(e) Three persons representing cities, appointed by the association of Washington cities as follows:
(i) One person representing a municipality with a population of 500,000 or more inhabitants;
(ii) one person representing a municipality with a population of 100,000 or more inhabitants, but fewer than 500,000 inhabitants;
and (iii) one person representing a municipality with a population of fewer than 100,000 inhabitants;
p.
(o) One person appointed by and representing the Washington state paralegal association;
3 SHB 1909 (o) One person appointed by and representing the Washington state paralegal association;
(q) One person appointed by and representing the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs;
p.
3 HB 1909 (q) One person appointed by and representing the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs;
One cochair must be the chair of the civil rights and judiciary committee of the house of representatives and the other cochair must be the chief justice of the supreme court.
One cochair must be the chair of the civil rights and judicial committee of the house of representatives and the other cochair must be the chief justice of the supreme court.
p.
(b) The task force shall define the scope of activity and subject matter focus required of each subcommittee.
4 SHB 1909 (b) The task force shall define the scope of activity and subject matter focus required of each subcommittee.
(2) The voting membership of each subcommittee is composed of a subset of members appointed to the task force, as determined by majority vote of the task force.
p.
4 HB 1909 (2) The voting membership of each subcommittee is composed of a subset of members appointed to the task force, as determined by majority vote of the task force.
5 SHB 1909
5 HB 1909
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Action History

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

  2. Chapter 199, 2026 Laws.

  3. Governor signed.

  4. Delivered to Governor.

  5. President signed.

  6. Speaker signed.

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 57; nays, 38; absent, 0; excused, 3.

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 18; absent, 0; excused, 1.

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended.

  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

  14. Minority; without recommendation.

  15. Minority; do not pass.

  16. LAW - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

  17. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 8:00 AM.

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

  19. First reading, referred to Law & Justice.

  20. Third reading, passed; yeas, 56; nays, 36; absent, 0; excused, 6.

  21. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  22. 2nd substitute bill substituted (APP 26).

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

  24. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

  25. Minority; without recommendation.

  26. Minority; do not pass.

  27. APP - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  28. Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 9:00 AM.

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

  30. Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 1:30 PM.

  31. Referred to Appropriations.

  32. Minority; without recommendation.

  33. CRJ - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

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

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

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

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 29 co-sponsors · 121 not signed on · 57 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (29)

Not signed on (121)

121 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 121 →

"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

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (#7)

Passed 57 Yea · 38 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 03701
Democrat 57102
Total 573803
% of votes cast 58%39%0%3%
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 Yea
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 Yea
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 Nay
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 Not Voting
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 Nay
Andrew Barkis Republican Nay
Andrew Engell Republican Nay
April Connors Republican Nay
Brian Burnett Republican Nay
Carolyn Eslick Republican Nay
Chris Corry Republican Nay
Cyndy Jacobsen Republican Nay
Dan Griffey Republican Nay
David Stuebe Republican Nay
Deb Manjarrez Republican Nay
Drew Stokesbary Republican Nay
Ed Orcutt Republican Nay
Gloria Mendoza Republican Nay
Hunter Abell Republican Nay
Jenny Graham Republican Nay
Jeremie Dufault Republican Nay
Jim Walsh Republican Nay
Joe Schmick Republican Nay
Joel McEntire Republican Not Voting
John Ley Republican Nay
Joshua Penner Republican Nay
Kevin Waters Republican Nay
Mark Klicker Republican Nay
Mary Dye Republican Nay
Matt Marshall Republican Nay
Michael Keaton Republican Nay
Mike Steele Republican Nay
Mike Volz Republican Nay
Peter Abbarno Republican Nay
Rob Chase Republican Nay
Sam Low Republican Nay
Skyler Rude Republican Nay
Stephanie Barnard Republican Nay
Stephanie McClintock Republican Nay
Suzanne Schmidt Republican Nay
Tom Dent Republican Nay
Travis Couture Republican Nay

Official roll call →

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (#27)

Passed 30 Yea · 18 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 30000
Republican 01801
Total 301801
% of votes cast 61%37%0%2%
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 Yea
Manka Dhingra Democrat Yea
Marcus Riccelli Democrat Yea
Marko Liias Democrat Yea
Mike Chapman Democrat Yea
Noel Frame Democrat Yea
Rebecca Saldaña Democrat Yea
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 Nay
Curtis King Republican Nay
Drew MacEwen Republican Nay
Jeff Holy Republican Nay
Jeff Wilson Republican Not Voting
Jim McCune Republican Nay
John Braun Republican Nay
Judy Warnick Republican Nay
Keith Goehner Republican Nay
Keith Wagoner Republican Nay
Leonard Christian Republican Nay
Mark Schoesler Republican Nay
Matt Boehnke Republican Nay
Nikki Torres Republican Nay
Paul Harris Republican Nay
Perry Dozier Republican Nay
Phil Fortunato Republican Nay
Ron Muzzall Republican Nay
Shelly Short Republican Nay

Official roll call →

3rd Reading & Final Passage (#8)

Passed 56 Yea · 36 Nay · 6 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 03503
Democrat 56103
Total 563606
% of votes cast 57%37%0%6%
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 Yea
April Berg Democrat Not Voting
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 Yea
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 Nay
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 Not Voting
Zach Hall Democrat Yea
Alex Ybarra Republican Nay
Andrew Barkis Republican Nay
Andrew Engell Republican Nay
April Connors Republican Nay
Brian Burnett Republican Nay
Carolyn Eslick Republican Nay
Chris Corry Republican Not Voting
Cyndy Jacobsen Republican Nay
Dan Griffey Republican Nay
David Stuebe Republican Nay
Deb Manjarrez Republican Nay
Drew Stokesbary Republican Nay
Ed Orcutt Republican Not Voting
Gloria Mendoza Republican Nay
Hunter Abell Republican Nay
Jenny Graham Republican Nay
Jeremie Dufault Republican Nay
Jim Walsh Republican Nay
Joe Schmick Republican Nay
Joel McEntire Republican Nay
John Ley Republican Nay
Joshua Penner Republican Nay
Kevin Waters Republican Nay
Mark Klicker Republican Nay
Mary Dye Republican Nay
Matt Marshall Republican Nay
Michael Keaton Republican Nay
Mike Steele Republican Nay
Mike Volz Republican Nay
Peter Abbarno Republican Nay
Rob Chase Republican Nay
Sam Low Republican Nay
Skyler Rude Republican Nay
Stephanie Barnard Republican Nay
Stephanie McClintock Republican Nay
Suzanne Schmidt Republican Nay
Tom Dent Republican Nay
Travis Couture Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 1909?
HB 1909 is sponsored by Lauren Davis (Democrat), Gerry Pollet (Democrat), Timm Ormsby (Democrat), Sharon Tomiko Santos (Democrat), April Berg (Democrat), Lisa Parshley (Democrat), Steve Tharinger (Democrat), Liz Berry (Democrat), Adison Richards (Democrat), Sharon Wylie (Democrat), Jake Fey (Democrat), Debra Entenman (Democrat), Janice Zahn (Democrat), Julia Reed (Democrat), Davina Duerr (Democrat), Osman Salahuddin (Democrat), Brianna Thomas (Democrat), Cindy Ryu (Democrat), Alex Ramel (Democrat), Amy Walen (Democrat), Lillian Ortiz-Self (Democrat), Nicole Macri (Democrat), Strom Peterson (Democrat), Tarra Simmons (Democrat), Darya Farivar (Democrat), Adam Bernbaum (Democrat), Natasha Hill (Democrat), Roger Goodman (Democrat), Jamila Taylor (Democrat), and Julio Cortes (Democrat).
What is the current status of HB 1909?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced February 10, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 1909?
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