STATE BUDGET

Washington enacts budgets on a two-year cycle. The biennial budget takes effect on July 1 of each odd-numbered year and is valid through June 30 of the next odd-numbered year.

STATE LEGISLATURE

The Washington state legislative session begins session annually on the second Monday in January. In odd-numbered years the Legislature meets for 105 days, and in even-numbered years for 60 days.  The state has 49 Senators, and 98 members of the House of Representatives.  Senators serve four year staggered terms, Representatives for two year terms, and there are no term limits.  Washington carries over bills from odd to even years.

KEY RESOURCES

• Washington State Legislature
• Washington Office of the Attorney General
• Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner
• Washington Health Alliance
• Washington All Payer Health Care Claims Database (WA-APCD)
• Washington HealthCareCompare
• Washington Governor

2025 LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY

Washington passed legislation making healthcare claim reporting more efficient to help patients, providers, and policymakers make more informed decisions about healthcare – HB1382, which updates the state payer claims database management, reporting timelines and data collection. Washington also enacted HB1686 which created a comprehensive healthcare registry including healthcare facilities, providers, systems, carriers, and benefit managers for the purpose of monitoring and measuring health care market changes. Finally, the state also passed SB5122 creating the Uniform Antitrust Premerger Notification Act, requiring businesses that have to file pre-merger notifications under the federal Hart-Scott-Rodino Act to also file copies with the state AG if their principal place of business is in the state, or if they meet minimum in state sales requirements.