Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington SB6239: State tort claims
Status: Passed one chamber, March 12, 2026
Requiring arbitration for tort claims against the state of Washington and its subdivisions.
What the bill says
An act Relating to arbitration for tort claims against the state of Washington and its subdivisions; amending RCW 7.06.020, 4.92.090, and 4.96.010; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency. NEW SECTION.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to arbitration for tort claims against the state of Washington and its subdivisions; amending RCW 7.06.020, 4.92.090, and 4.96.010; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature recognizes that while private entrepreneurs voluntarily choose the ambit of their activity and can thereby exert some control over their exposure to liability, state government does not have the same flexibility. In acting for the public good and in responding to public need, state government must provide a broad range of services and perform a broad range of functions throughout the entire state, regardless of how much exposure to liability may be involved. The legislature also recognizes that the state and its political subdivisions provide essential public services and functions and that unlimited liability could disrupt or make prohibitively expensive the provision of such essential public services and functions. (2) The legislature finds that the right to sue the government is not considered a privilege or immunity requiring heightened scrutiny analysis by the courts. The right to pursue a government tort liability claim in court is not a fundamental right of state citizenship. Article II, section 26 of our state Constitution gives the legislature the sole authority to decide in what manner, and in what courts, suits may be brought against the state, …
Sponsors
- Manka Dhingra (D) · primary sponsor
- Jamie Pedersen (D)
- Steven Conway (D)
- Marko Liias (D)
- June Robinson (D)
- Wilson, Claire (D, 30)
Latest actions
- : By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
- : First reading, referred to Civil Rights & Judiciary.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 33; nays, 16; absent, 0; excused, 0.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
- : Floor amendment
- : 2nd substitute bill substituted
- : Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
- : Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- : Minority; without recommendation.
- : Minority; do not pass.
Votes
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 17, 2026): 33 yea, 16 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Ways & Means: That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6239 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass (February 9, 2026): 16 yea, 3 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Law & Justice: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6239 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass (January 29, 2026): 6 yea, 1 nay, passed
Subjects: CIVIL ACTIONS AND PROCEDURE, STATE AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS
Common questions
- What is SB6239?
- SB6239 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): State tort claims.
- What does SB6239 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to arbitration for tort claims against the state of Washington and its subdivisions; amending RCW 7.06.020, 4.92.090, and 4.96.010; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of SB6239?
- 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 SB6239?
- Manka Dhingra (D), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB6239?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6239&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.