Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington SB5833: Pets in unattended vehicles
Status: Passed one chamber, March 12, 2026
Allowing pets in unattended motor vehicles under certain circumstances.
What the bill says
An act Relating to allowing pets in unattended motor vehicles under certain circumstances; and amending RCW 46.61.600.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to allowing pets in unattended motor vehicles under certain circumstances; 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) ((No))(a) Except as provided under (b) of this subsection, 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) A person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle may permit it to stand unattended with the engine running, doors locked, brake effectively set, and when standing upon any perceptible grade, front wheels turned to the curb or side of the highway, for no longer than 30 minutes, if reasonably necessary for the purpose of employing the vehicle's air conditioning equipment or heating system to limit exposure to excessive heat or cold for any pet present in the vehicle. For purposes of this subsection, "pet" means a dog, cat, or any animal that has been domesticated, except livestock. (2) The most recent driver of a motor vehicle which the driver has left standing unattended, who learns that the vehicle has become set …
Sponsors
- Keith Wagoner (R) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
- : Public hearing in the House Committee on Transportation at 1:30 PM.
- : First reading, referred to Transportation.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
- : 1st substitute bill substituted
- : Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
- : Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- : LAW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
- : Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM.
Votes
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 11, 2026): 48 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Law & Justice: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5833 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass (January 22, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: ANIMALS, MOTOR VEHICLES
Common questions
- What is SB5833?
- SB5833 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Pets in unattended vehicles.
- What does SB5833 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to allowing pets in unattended motor vehicles under certain circumstances; and amending RCW 46.61.600.
- What is the status of SB5833?
- 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 SB5833?
- Keith Wagoner (R).
- Where is the official record for SB5833?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5833&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.