WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SHB 1381

HB 1381: Elections/language assist.

Improving meaningful access to elections by increasing language assistance.

Summary

  • Sets the threshold lower than the federal threshold for when counties must provide language assistance during elections by requiring counties to do so when more than 2.5 percent of citizens in certain language minority groups (LMG) are of voting age or are qualified to register to vote, are limited-English proficient, and have not completed the fifth grade at a rate higher than the national average.
  • Requires the Secretary of State to determine which counties are subject to these language assistance provisions.

From the House Bill Report (HB 1381), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · died in committee
  1. IntroducedJan 17, 2025
  2. Out of committeestopped here
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. Governor
  6. Law
Prime sponsor
Clyde Shavers (D-10)
Introduced
January 17, 2025 in the House
Last action
January 12, 2026
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
HB 1381, SHB 1381

AN ACT Relating to improving meaningful access to elections by increasing language assistance;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Clyde Shavers (D-10)

5 co-sponsors (5 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Sharon Tomiko Santos D-37Gerry Pollet D-46Larry Springer D-45Sharon Wylie D-49Alex Ramel D-40

Votes

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

History

  1. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (SHB 1381)
  2. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
  3. Referred to Appropriations. (SHB 1381)
  4. Referred to Appropriations.
  5. SGOV - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SHB 1381)
  6. Minority; do not pass. (SHB 1381)
  7. Minority; do not pass.
  8. SGOV - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  9. SGOV - Executive action taken by committee.
  10. First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Relations.

HB 1381 in other sessions

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

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