WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SHB 2539

HB 2539: Inmate funds

Concerning inmate funds.

Summary

  • Increases the monetary threshold for defining inmate indigency to $100 and, beginning July 1, 2029, requires the Department of Corrections (DOC) to periodically adjust the threshold based on the Consumer Price Index.
  • Beginning July 1, 2027, requires the DOC to annually publish the indigent rate on its website and at each correctional facility.

From the Substitute House Bill Report (SHB 2539), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 205, Laws of 2026
  1. IntroducedJan 16, 2026
  2. Out of committeeFeb 4, 2026
  3. Passed HouseFeb 13, 2026
  4. Passed SenateMar 3, 2026
  5. GovernorMar 24, 2026
  6. LawMar 24, 2026
Prime sponsor
Chipalo Street (D-37)
Introduced
January 16, 2026 in the House
Last action
March 24, 2026
Session law
Chapter 205, Laws of 2026
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
HB 2539, SHB 2539

AN ACT Relating to inmate funds;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Chipalo Street (D-37)

3 co-sponsors (3 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Tarra Simmons D-23Sharon Tomiko Santos D-37Mari Leavitt D-28

Votes

House · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 13, 2026
Version voted on: SHB 2539
57 Yea 36 Nay 0 Absent 5 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat57002
Republican03603
How each member voted

Yea (57)

Permalink to this vote

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

Passed March 3, 2026
Version voted on: SHB 2539
30 Yea 18 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat29001
Republican11800
How each member voted

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Passed March 11, 2026
Version voted on: SHB 2539
57 Yea 38 Nay 0 Absent 3 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat57002
Republican03801
How each member voted

Yea (57)

Excused (3)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026. (SHB 2539)
  2. Chapter 205, 2026 Laws. (SHB 2539)
  3. Governor signed. (SHB 2539)
  4. President signed. (SHB 2539)
  5. Delivered to Governor. (SHB 2539)
  6. Passed final passage; yeas, 57; nays, 38; absent, 0; excused, 3. (SHB 2539)
  7. House concurred in Senate amendments. (SHB 2539)
  8. Speaker signed. (SHB 2539)
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 18; absent, 0; excused, 1. (SHB 2539)
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SHB 2539)
  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended. (SHB 2539)
  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (SHB 2539)
  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SHB 2539)
  14. Minority; without recommendation. (SHB 2539)
  15. Minority; do not pass. (SHB 2539)
  16. HS - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (SHB 2539)
  17. First reading, referred to Human Services. (SHB 2539)
  18. Third reading, passed; yeas, 57; nays, 36; absent, 0; excused, 5. (SHB 2539)
  19. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SHB 2539)
  20. 1st substitute bill substituted. (SHB 2539)
  21. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  22. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (SHB 2539)
  23. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
  24. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (SHB 2539)
  25. Referred to Rules 2 Review.
  26. CS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SHB 2539)
  27. Minority; without recommendation. (SHB 2539)
  28. CS - Executive action taken by committee.
  29. Minority; without recommendation.
  30. CS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  31. First reading, referred to Community Safety.

HB 2539 in other sessions

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

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