Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session Status: Enacted 5 D cosponsors

SB 6197 — Enforcing plumbing contractor requirements.

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 January 16, 2026. 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 80% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 5 sponsors

    1 primary, 4 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (5 D).

  • 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

49 added · 40 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of Senate Bill 6197 changes the number of infractions that can lead to additional penalties for plumbing contractors. Previously, a contractor would face stricter consequences after three infractions, but now that threshold has been raised to five infractions. This matters because it gives contractors a bit more leeway before facing severe repercussions, which could be beneficial for those who may make minor mistakes but are otherwise compliant with regulations.

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Latest
ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6197 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session By Senate Labor & Commerce (originally sponsored by Senators Hunt, Saldaña, Conway, Nobles, and Valdez) READ FIRST TIME 02/04/26.
S-3977.1 SENATE BILL 6197 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session By Senators Hunt, Saldaña, Conway, Nobles, and Valdez Read first time 01/16/26.
Referred to Committee on Labor & Commerce.
amending RCW 18.106.270;
and amending RCW 18.106.270.
and providing an effective date.
(4) Any individual or plumbing contractor who ((acquires three infractions)) is determined by final order to have committed five or p.
(4)(a) Any individual or plumbing contractor who ((acquires)) is determined by final order to have committed three infractions involving residential service plumbing or construction performed on a p.
1 ESSB 6197 more infractions within a ((thirty-six month)) five-year period may have his or her certificate, license, endorsement, or registration suspended for a period of up to two years ((upon recommendation of the advisory board of plumbers)) by the department.
1 SB 6197 residential structure within a ((thirty-six)) 36-month period may have his or her certificate, license, endorsement, or registration suspended for a period of up to two years upon recommendation of the advisory board of plumbers.
The order suspending the certificate, license, endorsement, or registration must set forth each of the infractions that form the basis of the suspension.
The suspension must be measured from the date of the department's final order.
The department must provide regular updates on enforcement actions under this section to the advisory board of plumbers.
(b) If an individual or plumbing contractor is determined by final order to have committed five or more infractions within a five- year period, the department may issue an order suspending the individual's or contractor's certificate, license, endorsement, or registration for up to two years.
The order must set forth each of the infractions that form the basis of the suspension.
The suspension must be measured from the date of the department's final order.
The department may issue other appropriate remedies, such as requiring an individual or plumbing contractor to submit a corrective action plan addressing the deficiencies that led to the infractions before the certificate, license, endorsement, or registration may be reinstated.
For purposes of this subsection, multiple infractions or violations created by a single inspection or audit are counted as one infraction.
This subsection (4)(b) does not apply to infractions involving residential service plumbing or construction performed on a residential structure.
NEW SECTION.
Sec.
2.
This act takes effect January 1, 2027.
2 ESSB 6197
2 SB 6197
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Action History

  1. Effective date 1/1/2027.

  2. Chapter 178, 2026 Laws.

  3. Governor signed.

  4. Delivered to Governor.

  5. Speaker signed.

  6. President signed.

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

  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. LAWS - Majority; do pass.

  12. Executive action taken in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 8:45 AM.

  13. Public hearing in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 10:30 AM.

  14. First reading, referred to Labor & Workplace Standards.

  15. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

  16. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  17. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

  18. 1st substitute bill substituted (LC 26).

  19. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

  20. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

  21. Minority; without recommendation.

  22. Minority; do not pass.

  23. LC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  24. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 10:30 AM.

  25. Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 8:00 AM.

  26. First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 4 co-sponsors · 146 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (4)

Not signed on (146)

146 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 146 →

"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 (#8)

Passed 96 Yea · 0 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 38000
Democrat 58002
Total 96002
% of votes cast 98%0%0%2%
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 Not Voting
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 Yea
Gloria Mendoza Republican Yea
Hunter Abell Republican Yea
Jenny Graham Republican Yea
Jeremie Dufault Republican Yea
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 (#21)

Passed 49 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 30000
Republican 19000
Total 49000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
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 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

labor
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 6197?
SB 6197 is sponsored by T'wina Nobles (Democrat), Steve Conway (Democrat), Rebecca Saldaña (Democrat), Victoria Hunt (Democrat), and Javier Valdez (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 6197?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 16, 2026. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 6197?
Track SB 6197 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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