WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION

SB 5536: Property distrib./divorce

Concerning the just and equitable distribution of real property and liabilities in the dissolution of marriage or domestic partnerships.

Summary

  • Adds additional factors a court must consider when dividing property and liabilities in a proceeding for dissolution, legal separation, or declaration of invalidity of a marriage or domestic partnership.
  • Provides that either party in a dissolution proceeding may enforce a court order regarding disposition and ownership of real property and that secured and unsecured creditors must adhere to conditions in the court order.

From the House Bill Analysis 2026 (SB 5536), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House
  1. IntroducedJan 28, 2025
  2. Out of committeeFeb 14, 2025
  3. Passed SenateMar 12, 2025
  4. Passed Housestopped here
  5. Governor
  6. Law
Prime sponsor
Phil Fortunato (R-31)
Introduced
January 28, 2025 in the Senate
Last action
March 12, 2026
Budget
Has a fiscal note

AN ACT Relating to the just and equitable distribution of real property and liabilities in the dissolution of marriage or domestic partnerships;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Phil Fortunato (R-31)

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed March 12, 2025
Version voted on: SB 5536
46 Yea 2 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat27201
Republican19000
How each member voted

Yea (46)

Nay (2)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · Final Passage

Passed February 13, 2026
Version voted on: SB 5536
41 Yea 7 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat23700
Republican18001
How each member voted

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
  2. First reading, referred to Civil Rights & Judiciary.
  3. Third reading, passed; yeas, 41; nays, 7; absent, 0; excused, 1.
  4. Placed on third reading by Rules Committee.
  5. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
  6. By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
  7. First reading, referred to Civil Rights & Judiciary.
  8. Third reading, passed; yeas, 46; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 1.
  9. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
  10. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  11. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  12. Minority; without recommendation.
  13. Minority; do not pass.
  14. LAW - Majority; do pass.
  15. First reading, referred to Law & Justice.

SB 5536 in other sessions

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

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