WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SHB 1146

HB 1146: Voting in jails, hospitals

Improving access and removing barriers to voting in jails and state hospitals.

Summary

  • Requires county auditors to create a Voting Plan (Plan) for each jail and state hospital within the county, including details about how the jail or hospital will help people who are incarcerated register to vote and access and complete a ballot.
  • Requires jails and state hospitals to implement their Plans and provide voter registration information, ballot-related information, and ballots to people who are incarcerated.
  • Authorizes the Office of the Attorney General (AGO) to investigate and bring an action against a county, jail, or state hospital for a violation of this act and authorizes the court to award $25,000 per violation to the AGO for remittance to the Office of the Secretary of State to use towards increasing accessibility for voters in jails and state hospitals.
  • Requires the Secretary of State to contract with the University of Washington Evans School of Public Policy and Governance to identify challenges and make recommendations related to voter registration and voting access for people who are incarcerated in jail or patients in a state hospital.

From the House Bill Report (HB 1146), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · died in committee
  1. IntroducedJan 13, 2025
  2. Out of committeestopped here
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. Governor
  6. Law
Prime sponsor
Tarra Simmons (D-23)
Introduced
January 13, 2025 in the House
Last action
January 12, 2026
Requested by
State agency
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
HB 1146, SHB 1146

AN ACT Relating to improving access and removing barriers to voting in jails and state hospitals;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Tarra Simmons (D-23)

10 co-sponsors (10 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Darya Farivar D-46Cindy Ryu D-32Sharlett Mena D-29Nicole Macri D-43Edwin Obras D-33Beth Doglio D-22Mia Gregerson D-33Gerry Pollet D-46Timm Ormsby D-3Natasha Hill D-3

Votes

No recorded floor votes. This measure never reached a floor vote.

History

  1. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (SHB 1146)
  2. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
  3. Referred to Appropriations. (SHB 1146)
  4. Referred to Appropriations.
  5. SGOV - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SHB 1146)
  6. Minority; do not pass. (SHB 1146)
  7. SGOV - Executive action taken by committee.
  8. Minority; do not pass.
  9. SGOV - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  10. First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Relations.
  11. Prefiled for introduction.

HB 1146 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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