SB 5079 — Addressing the burden of unintentional overpayments on older adults and adults with disabilities served by the department of social and health services.
Last action — Effective date 7/1/2025.
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed Senate
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✓Passed House
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 19, 2024. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Bob Ferguson (Democratic) on May 17, 2025.
Odds of enactment
High chanceBased 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
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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7 sponsors
1 primary, 6 co-sponsors signed on.
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Bipartisan support
Sponsored across 2 parties (4 D · 3 R) — cross-party backing.
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 4 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
12 added · 35 removedPlain-language change summary
The recent changes to Bill SB 5079 clarify that the Department will be empowered to collect overpayments from certain assistance programs for the aged, blind, or disabled, as well as for clients receiving functional support services. Importantly, the updated version also specifies that the Department must adopt rules on when it can choose not to pursue collection of these overpayments. This matters because it adds transparency and fairness to the collection process, potentially easing the financial burden on vulnerable populations who may have received unintentional overpayments.
CERTIFICATIONZ-0221.1 OF ENROLLMENT SENATE BILL 5079 69th Legislature Regular Session Passed by the Senate April 17, 2025 CERTIFICATE Yeas 49 Nays 0 I, Sarah Bannister, Secretary of the Senate of the State of Washington,Washington do69th herebyLegislature certify2025 thatRegular PresidentSession ofBy theSenators SenateMuzzall, theChristian, attachedDozier, isFrame, SENATEKrishnadasan, BILLLiias, 5079 as passed by the Senate and theTrudeau; House of Representatives on the dates hereon set forth.
Passed by the House April 11, 2025 Yeas 93 Nays 2 Secretary Speaker of the House of Representatives Approved FILED Secretary of State State of Washington Governor of the State of Washington SENATE BILL 5079 AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE Passed Legislature - 2025 Regular Session State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By Senators Muzzall, Christian, Dozier, Frame, Krishnadasan, Liias, and Trudeau;
1 SB 5079.PL5079 (3) The department, at any time, may accept offers of compromise of disputed claims or may grant partial or total write-off of any debt due the department if it is no longer cost-effective to pursue.
(5) Beginning July 1, 2025, the department may waive all efforts to collect unintentional overpayments of the aged, blind, or disabled assistance program under RCW 74.62.030 and to functionally disabled clients receiving services and supports provided under chapters 74.39, 74.39A and 71A.12 RCW.
2 SB 5079.PL5079
Action History
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Effective date 7/1/2025.
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Chapter 331, 2025 Laws.
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Governor signed.
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Delivered to Governor.
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Speaker signed.
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President signed.
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Passed final passage; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.
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Senate concurred in House amendments.
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Third reading, passed; yeas, 93; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 3.
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Vote on third reading will be reconsidered.
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Third reading, passed; yeas, 92; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 4.
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Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
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Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.
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Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
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Referred to Rules 2 Review.
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APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s) by Early Learning & Human Services.
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Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 1:30 PM.
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Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 4:00 PM.
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Referred to Appropriations.
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ELHS - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).
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Executive action taken in the House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services at 1:30 PM.
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Public hearing in the House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services at 8:00 AM.
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First reading, referred to Early Learning & Human Services.
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Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.
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Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
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Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
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Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
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WM - Majority; do pass.
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Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4:00 PM.
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Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4:00 PM.
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Referred to Ways & Means.
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And refer to Ways & Means.
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HS - Majority; do pass.
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Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Human Services at 8:00 AM.
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Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Human Services at 8:00 AM.
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First reading, referred to Human Services.
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Prefiled for introduction.
Sponsors
- Yasmin Trudeau · Cosponsor
- Marko Liias · Cosponsor
- Deborah Krishnadasan · Cosponsor
- Noel Frame · Cosponsor
- Perry Dozier · Cosponsor
- Leonard Christian · Cosponsor
- Ron Muzzall · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 6 co-sponsors · 144 not signed on · 2 voted No
Sponsors (1)
- Ron Muzzall Republican
Co-sponsors (6)
- Yasmin Trudeau Democrat
- Marko Liias Democrat
- Deborah Krishnadasan Democrat
- Noel Frame Democrat
- Perry Dozier Republican
- Leonard Christian Republican
Not signed on (144)
144 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 144 →"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.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrat | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 49 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (49)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Adrian Cortes | Democrat | Yea |
| Annette Cleveland | Democrat | Yea |
| Bill Ramos | 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 |
| 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 |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 34 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Democrat | 59 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 93 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| % of votes cast | 95% | 2% | 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 | 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 | Yea |
| Strom Peterson | Democrat | Yea |
| Tarra Simmons | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Timm Ormsby | Democrat | Yea |
| Victoria Hunt | 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 | Yea |
| Gloria Mendoza | Republican | Not Voting |
| Hunter Abell | Republican | Yea |
| Jenny Graham | Republican | Yea |
| Jeremie Dufault | Republican | Nay |
| Jim Walsh | Republican | Nay |
| Joe Schmick | Republican | Yea |
| Joel McEntire | Republican | Not Voting |
| 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 |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 34 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Democrat | 58 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 92 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| % of votes cast | 94% | 2% | 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 | 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 | Not Voting |
| 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 | Yea |
| Strom Peterson | Democrat | Yea |
| Tarra Simmons | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Timm Ormsby | Democrat | Yea |
| Victoria Hunt | 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 | Yea |
| Gloria Mendoza | Republican | Not Voting |
| Hunter Abell | Republican | Yea |
| Jenny Graham | Republican | Yea |
| Jeremie Dufault | Republican | Nay |
| Jim Walsh | Republican | Nay |
| Joe Schmick | Republican | Yea |
| Joel McEntire | Republican | Not Voting |
| 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 |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrat | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 49 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (49)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Adrian Cortes | Democrat | Yea |
| Annette Cleveland | Democrat | Yea |
| Bill Ramos | 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 |
| 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 |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- Who sponsors SB 5079?
- SB 5079 is sponsored by Yasmin Trudeau (Democrat), Marko Liias (Democrat), Deborah Krishnadasan (Democrat), Noel Frame (Democrat), Perry Dozier (Republican), Leonard Christian (Republican), and Ron Muzzall (Republican).
- What is the current status of SB 5079?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 19, 2024. Enacted.
- Where can I track SB 5079?
- Track SB 5079 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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