Washington · 2025-2026 Biennium (69th Legislature)

Modernizing and clarifying timely payment requirements for health carriers.

AN ACT Relating to modernizing and clarifying timely payment requirements for health carriers;

ESSB 5845·Senate·Bill

Sen. Vandana SlatterState Senate · LD-48·9 cosponsors

Fiscal noteState YesLocal No

Effective dateJune 11, 2026 (sections take effect on several dates)

Primary sponsor

Vandana SlatterState Senate · LD-48

Cosponsors

Ron MuzzallState Senate · LD-10

Mike ChapmanState Senate · LD-24

Paul HarrisState Senate · LD-17

Marcus RiccelliState Senate · LD-03

Annette ClevelandState Senate · LD-49

Bob HasegawaState Senate · LD-11

Deborah KrishnadasanState Senate · LD-26

T'wina NoblesState Senate · LD-28

Javier ValdezState Senate · LD-46

Floor votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage · ESSB 5845Feb 11, 202648–0

House · Final Passage as Amended by the House · ESSB 5845Mar 5, 202695–0

Senate · Final Passage as Amended by the House · ESSB 5845Mar 9, 202649–0

Legislative history

Dec 8, 2025

Prefiled for introduction.

Jan 12, 2026

First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care.

Jan 30, 2026

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

Feb 2, 2026

Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

Feb 10, 2026

Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

Feb 11, 2026

1st substitute bill substituted.

Feb 11, 2026

Floor amendment(s) adopted.

Feb 11, 2026

Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

Feb 11, 2026

Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

Feb 14, 2026

First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness.

Feb 24, 2026

HCW - Executive action taken by committee.

Feb 24, 2026

HCW - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

Feb 24, 2026

Minority; without recommendation.

Feb 25, 2026

Referred to Appropriations.

Mar 2, 2026

APP - Executive action taken by committee.

Mar 2, 2026

APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s) by Health Care & Wellness.

Mar 2, 2026

Referred to Rules 2 Review.

Mar 4, 2026

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

Mar 5, 2026

Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended.

Mar 5, 2026

Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

Mar 5, 2026

Third reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 3.

Mar 9, 2026

Senate concurred in House amendments.

Mar 9, 2026

Passed final passage; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

Mar 10, 2026

President signed.

Mar 11, 2026

Speaker signed.

Mar 12, 2026

Delivered to Governor.

Mar 23, 2026

Governor signed.

Mar 23, 2026

Chapter 158, 2026 Laws.

Mar 23, 2026

Effective date 6/11/2026*.

Bill text

Original Bill Substitute Bill Engrossed Substitute Bill as Passed Legislature

Amendments

Floor amendment by Slatter (Adopted)Floor amendment by Bronoske (Adopted)Floor amendment (Adopted and engrossed)Committee amendment by Health Care & Wellness (Adopted as amended)

Bill reports

Senate Bill Report (Orig.) — Initial Bill Report 01-20-26 Senate Bill Report — Testimony Added 01-20-26 Senate Bill Report — Reported by HLTC 01-30-26 Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill Report — Passed Senate 02-11-26 Engrossed Substitute House Bill Analysis 2026 — Initial House Analysis 02-18-26 Engrossed Substitute House Bill Report — Reported by HCW 02-24-26 Engrossed Substitute House Bill Report — Reported by APP 03-02-26 Engrossed Substitute House Bill Report — Passed House 03-05-26 Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill Report — Amended by House 03-05-26 Final Bill Report — Final Bill Report 2026

Session law

Chapter 158, Laws of 2026