Senate adopts package of bills on judicial safety, housing, campaign reporting, health and services; confirms two state officials
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Summary
On Feb. 10 the Washington State Senate confirmed two gubernatorial appointments and passed a slate of bills covering judicial threat assessments, mortgage recording, asbestos training rule authority, developmental disability services, housing marketing rules and campaign reporting. Several measures passed by recorded roll-call votes.
The Washington State Senate on Feb. 10 moved a broad set of measures into law and confirmed two gubernatorial appointments in a full-floor session in Olympia.
Appointments: The Senate confirmed Ryan Moran as director of the Health Care Authority (Senate gubernatorial appointment no. 9291) by a roll-call vote the clerk recorded as 49 yays, 0 nays. The body also confirmed Dennis Worsham as Secretary of the Department of Health (appointment no. 9307) by the same tally, 49–0.
Key legislation passed:
- S.B. 6,011 (judicial safety): Advanced and passed by a roll-call vote recorded as 49–0. Senator Dhingra said the bill extends threat-assessment authority to court of appeals bailiffs to protect judicial officers and staff.
- S.B. 5,831 (uniform mortgage modification): Passed 49–0 after proponents said the bill creates safe harbors to reduce attorney fees and clarify recording requirements (title 61 RCW referenced).
- S.B. 6,188 (Labor & Industries — asbestos accreditation authority): Passed after floor debate; the roll-call recorded 30 ayes and 19 nays and the bill was declared passed. An amendment that would have constrained L&I to exactly federal standards failed on the floor.
- Substitute S.B. 5,917 (DOC medication stockpile): Passed on final roll-call 32–17 after multiple amendment attempts failed (covered in a separate article). Supporters cited access amid federal uncertainty; opponents warned about fiscal exposure and distribution scope.
- S.B. 6,024 (services for persons with developmental disabilities): The chamber adopted amendment 0536 (a DSHS-requested clarification adding adult protective services investigations to exceptions), and the bill passed with 48 yeas, 0 nays, 1 excused.
- S.B. 6,091 (housing marketing): Substitute S.B. 6,091 passed 49–0. Senator Elias framed the measure as protecting fair-housing by prohibiting exclusive private listing models and other exclusionary marketing practices.
- Substitute S.B. 5,840 (campaign finance reporting): Passed with a roll-call of 46 yeas, 3 nays; sponsors said it sets routine reporting timelines and improves consistency for the Public Disclosure Commission.
Ceremonial business: The Senate unanimously adopted a resolution congratulating the 30-member Chimacombe High School marching band on its selection to the 2026 National Independence Day Parade and recognized band members and school leaders in the gallery.
Votes at a glance (selected roll calls from the floor): - Appointment 9291 (Ryan Moran): confirmed 49–0 (SEG 421–426). - Appointment 9307 (Dennis Worsham): confirmed 49–0 (SEG 631–633). - S.B. 6,011: passed 49–0 (SEG 746–748). - S.B. 5,831: passed 49–0 (SEG 857–859). - S.B. 6,188: passed (roll-call recorded 30 ayes, 19 nays; declared passed) (SEG 1085–1087). - Substitute S.B. 5,917: passed 32–17 (SEG 1901–1903). - S.B. 6,024: passed 48–0 (1 excused) (SEG 2061–2063). - Substitute S.B. 6,091: passed 49–0 (SEG 2254–2257). - Substitute S.B. 5,840: passed 46–3 (SEG 2400–2403).
What to watch: Implementation of the substitute S.B. 5,917 will involve DOC pharmacy rules and distribution agreements with providers; S.B. 6,188 gives L&I latitude to update asbestos training rules, which opponents warned could create variance from federal standards. Several bills passed with temporary/emergency clauses debated on the floor.
Process note: The Senate recessed for caucus and lunch after the morning's business and will resume later in the legislative calendar for additional items and conference negotiations, if needed.
