WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SHB 2239

HB 2239: Family burial grounds

Providing Washingtonians and their loved ones with location choices for interment of remains.

Summary

  • Permits a natural person to designate an area of land the person owns as a family burial ground, subject to specified requirements and restrictions.
  • Includes family burial grounds as a lawful place for disposition of human remains.
  • Exempts family burial grounds from certain requirements applicable to private cemeteries.

From the Substitute House Bill Report (SHB 2239), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 173, Laws of 2026
  1. IntroducedJan 12, 2026
  2. Out of committeeFeb 4, 2026
  3. Passed HouseFeb 12, 2026
  4. Passed SenateMar 6, 2026
  5. GovernorMar 24, 2026
  6. LawMar 24, 2026
Prime sponsor
Hunter Abell (R-7)
Introduced
January 12, 2026 in the House
Last action
March 24, 2026
Session law
Chapter 173, Laws of 2026
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
HB 2239, SHB 2239

AN ACT Relating to recognizing individual and family connectivity with the land by providing Washingtonians and their loved ones with the option to have their remains interred in a family burial ground;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Hunter Abell (R-7)

6 co-sponsors (2 Democrats, 4 Republicans)

Adam Bernbaum D-24Rob Chase R-4Tarra Simmons D-23Jim Walsh R-19Brian Burnett R-12Andrew Engell R-7

Votes

House · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 12, 2026
Version voted on: SHB 2239
96 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat58001
Republican38001
How each member voted

Yea (96)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Passed March 6, 2026
Version voted on: SHB 2239
46 Yea 2 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat28200
Republican18001
How each member voted

Yea (46)

Nay (2)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Passed March 12, 2026
Version voted on: SHB 2239
96 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat58001
Republican38001
How each member voted

Yea (96)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026*. (SHB 2239)
  2. Chapter 173, 2026 Laws. (SHB 2239)
  3. Governor signed. (SHB 2239)
  4. Passed final passage; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2. (SHB 2239)
  5. House concurred in Senate amendments. (SHB 2239)
  6. President signed. (SHB 2239)
  7. Speaker signed. (SHB 2239)
  8. Delivered to Governor. (SHB 2239)
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 46; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 1. (SHB 2239)
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SHB 2239)
  11. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (SHB 2239)
  12. Committee amendment not adopted. (SHB 2239)
  13. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (SHB 2239)
  14. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SHB 2239)
  15. LAW - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (SHB 2239)
  16. First reading, referred to Law & Justice. (SHB 2239)
  17. Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2. (SHB 2239)
  18. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SHB 2239)
  19. 1st substitute bill substituted. (SHB 2239)
  20. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  21. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (SHB 2239)
  22. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
  23. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (SHB 2239)
  24. Referred to Rules 2 Review.
  25. CRJ - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SHB 2239)
  26. CRJ - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  27. CRJ - Executive action taken by committee.
  28. First reading, referred to Civil Rights & Judiciary.
  29. Prefiled for introduction.

HB 2239 in other sessions

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

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