Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington SB5081: Unattended motor vehicles
Status: Passed one chamber, March 12, 2026
Revising the provisions around unattended motor vehicles.
What the bill says
An act Relating to revising the provisions around unattended motor vehicles; and amending RCW 46.61.600.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to revising the provisions around unattended motor vehicles; and amending RCW 46.61.600. Sec. 1. RCW 46.61.600 and 2010 c 8 s 9072 are each amended to read as follows: (1)(a) No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key and effectively setting the brake thereon and, when standing upon any perceptible grade, turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway. (b) For purposes of this subsection, a motor vehicle with an engine that has been activated by a remote starter system is not considered unattended when the motor vehicle is locked, and the ignition keys are not in the motor vehicle. (2) The most recent driver of a motor vehicle ((which))that the driver has left standing unattended or has left standing after starting the engine by a remote starter system, who learns that the vehicle has become set in motion and has struck another vehicle or property, or has caused injury to any person, shall comply with the requirements or (b) RCW 46.52.020 if his or her vehicle causes damage to an attended vehicle or other property or injury to any person. (3) Any person failing to comply with subsection (2)(b) of this section ((shall …
Sponsors
- Phil Fortunato (R) · primary sponsor
- Leonard Christian (R)
- James McCune (R)
- Wilson, Jeff (R, 19)
Latest actions
- : By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
- : Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.
- : First reading, referred to Transportation.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.
- : Placed on third reading by Rules Committee.
- : By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
- : By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
- : Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.
- : First reading, referred to Transportation.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.
Votes
- Final Passage (January 28, 2026): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 12, 2025): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Transportation: Do pass (January 30, 2025): 17 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: MOTOR VEHICLES
Common questions
- What is SB5081?
- SB5081 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Unattended motor vehicles.
- What does SB5081 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to revising the provisions around unattended motor vehicles; and amending RCW 46.61.600.
- What is the status of SB5081?
- Passed one chamber as of March 12, 2026. Latest action: By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading. (March 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB5081?
- Phil Fortunato (R), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB5081?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5081&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.