WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION ESHB 2274

HB 2274: Commercial electronic mail

Modifying the Washington commercial electronic mail act.

Summary

  • Requires the sender of a commercial email to have knowledge that the subject line is considered false or misleading to be a violation of the Commercial Electronic Mail Act (CEMA).
  • Decreases the statutory damages for a recipient of a prohibited commercial email or text message under the CEMA to the greater of $100 or actual damages.

From the Engrossed Substitute House Bill Report (ESHB 2274), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 135, Laws of 2026
  1. IntroducedJan 12, 2026
  2. Out of committeeFeb 4, 2026
  3. Passed HouseFeb 16, 2026
  4. Passed SenateMar 6, 2026
  5. GovernorMar 23, 2026
  6. LawMar 23, 2026
Prime sponsor
Larry Springer (D-45)
Introduced
January 12, 2026 in the House
Last action
March 23, 2026
Session law
Chapter 135, Laws of 2026
Companion bill
SB 5976
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
HB 2274, SHB 2274, ESHB 2274

AN ACT Relating to modifying the Washington commercial electronic mail act;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Larry Springer (D-45)

2 co-sponsors (1 Democrat, 1 Republican)

Stephanie McClintock R-18Adam Bernbaum D-24

Votes

House · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 16, 2026
Version voted on: ESHB 2274
86 Yea 11 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat49901
Republican37200
How each member voted

Yea (86)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed March 6, 2026
Version voted on: ESHB 2274
43 Yea 5 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat26400
Republican17101
How each member voted

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026. (ESHB 2274)
  2. Chapter 135, 2026 Laws. (ESHB 2274)
  3. Governor signed. (ESHB 2274)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (ESHB 2274)
  5. President signed. (ESHB 2274)
  6. Third reading, passed; yeas, 43; nays, 5; absent, 0; excused, 1. (ESHB 2274)
  7. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESHB 2274)
  8. Speaker signed. (ESHB 2274)
  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (ESHB 2274)
  10. Minority; without recommendation. (ESHB 2274)
  11. BTE - Majority; do pass. (ESHB 2274)
  12. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (ESHB 2274)
  13. First reading, referred to Business, Trade & Economic Development. (ESHB 2274)
  14. Third reading, passed; yeas, 86; nays, 11; absent, 0; excused, 1. (ESHB 2274)
  15. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESHB 2274)
  16. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (ESHB 2274)
  17. 1st substitute bill substituted. (ESHB 2274)
  18. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  19. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (ESHB 2274)
  20. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
  21. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (ESHB 2274)
  22. Referred to Rules 2 Review.
  23. CPB - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (ESHB 2274)
  24. Minority; do not pass. (ESHB 2274)
  25. Minority; do not pass.
  26. CPB - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  27. CPB - Executive action taken by committee.
  28. First reading, referred to Consumer Protection & Business.
  29. Prefiled for introduction.

HB 2274 in other sessions

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

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