Washington Senate confirms three gubernatorial appointees and clears package of House bills including AI chatbot limits and passenger-only ferry rules

The Washington State Senate met in Olympia on March 5, 2026, confirming three gubernatorial appointments and approving a wide slate of House bills that drew debate across policy areas.

Senators confirmed Kristen L. Fraser to the Board of Tax Appeals after Senator Robinson introduced her qualifications, including University of Washington degrees and experience as a tax referee. "Kristen has a brilliant mind and a servant's heart," Robinson said while urging confirmation. The roll call showed 48 yeas, 0 nays and 1 excused and the appointment was confirmed.

The chamber also confirmed Sharmila Swenson to the Highline College Board of Trustees following remarks from Senator Nobles about Swenson's professional background at Symetra and prior service on a community college board; the roll call recorded 47 yeas, 1 nay and 1 excused. Robert A. Battles was confirmed to the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals after senators cited his legal and workers'-compensation background; that confirmation passed by a similar recorded margin.

On legislation, senators advanced and passed a set of House bills covering disparate areas. House Bill 1983, which narrows the real estate excise tax definition for timberland transferred to government entities and kept in current use, was described by sponsor Senator Frayne as a "very small expansion" of an exemption intended to avoid penalizing government acquisition. Senator Gildan spoke against the bill saying it could encourage more land to be held and not cut and expressed concern about public maintenance; the bill was declared passed on final passage.

The floor also took up Gross Substitute House Bill 2225, a high-profile measure to regulate so-called AI companion chatbots. Senator Wellman, sponsor of a floor amendment, framed the measure as a child-safety protection and move to ensure users are told they are interacting with a nonhuman system. "This bill ... prohibits engaging with an emotional relationship," Senator Wellman said during debate, outlining the amendment adopted by the body. Other technical amendments were proposed and some were rejected; the bill as amended was passed by the Senate.

Transport and environment bills cleared the floor as well. Second Substitute House Bill 1923, addressing passenger-only ferry operations and labeled the "mosquito fleet" bill, advanced with adopted amendments intended to reduce noise and protect whales; Senator Lovelitt pressed for engineering and timing safeguards to minimize harm to southern resident killer whales. Substitute House Bill 2410, proposing a commercial truck safety and education council funded by an industry-requested fee, was advanced with sponsors noting trucking-industry involvement in drafting the concept.

Lawmakers also passed bills addressing Medicaid provider reimbursement timing (House Bill 2385), protections for nonprofit housing property-tax exemptions (House Bill 2610), consumer protections in commercial email (engrossed substitute House Bill 2274), and clarifications to the Climate Commitment Act and fuel-supply compliance (second substitute House Bill 2215) after committee striking amendments and floor debate.

Votes at a glance (selected floor outcomes): - Kristen L. Fraser (Appointment 9306): confirmed, 48–0 (1 excused). - Sharmila Swenson (Appointment 9158): confirmed, 47–1 (1 excused). - Robert A. Battles (Appointment 9140): confirmed, 47–1 (1 excused). - House Bill 1983 (timberland REET definition): declared passed (final passage recorded in roll call). - Gross Substitute House Bill 2225 (AI/chatbot regulation): passed as amended by the Senate (voice/roll-call actions and amendment adoptions recorded on the floor). - Second Substitute House Bill 1923 (passenger-only ferries): passed as amended by the Senate.

What it means: The day's votes show the Senate moving a large package of House-originated measures in the final days of the session while confirming executive nominees to boards that oversee tax appeals, higher-education governance and industrial insurance appeals. Several votes included explicit reservations and recorded no votes; in some cases senators warned of budgetary or operational risks even as they voted for final passage.

Next steps: Bills that passed the Senate will go to enrollment and, where required, to the governor for signature or further action per the usual legislative process. The Senate recessed for lunch and caucus following the recorded votes and will resume floor activity per the majority leader's schedule.

Source: Washington State Senate floor transcript (March 5, 2026).