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BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION 2ESSB 5594

SB 5594: Biosimilar medicines

Concerning biosimilar medicines. (REVISED FOR ENGROSSED: Concerning biosimilar medicines and interchangeable biological products.)

Summary

  • Authorizes a health carrier or prescription drug utilization management entity to require a patient to try a biosimilar prior to providing coverage for the equivalent branded drug.
  • Modifies provisions authorizing the substitution of therapeutically equivalent drugs or interchangeable biological products by pharmacists.

From the Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill Report (2ESSB 5594), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House
  1. IntroducedJan 30, 2025
  2. Out of committeeFeb 19, 2025
  3. Passed SenateMar 11, 2025
  4. Passed Housestopped here
  5. Governor
  6. Law
Prime sponsor
Paul Harris (R-17)
Introduced
January 30, 2025 in the Senate
Last action
March 12, 2026
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 5594, SSB 5594, ESSB 5594, 2ESSB 5594

AN ACT Relating to reducing prescription drug costs by eliminating barriers impeding access to biosimilar medicines and interchangeable biological products;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Paul Harris (R-17)

3 co-sponsors (3 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Annette Cleveland D-49Bob Hasegawa D-11Sharon Shewmake D-42

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed March 11, 2025
Version voted on: 2ESSB 5594
49 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat30000
Republican19000
How each member voted

Yea (49)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed January 21, 2026
Version voted on: 2ESSB 5594
49 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat30000
Republican19000
How each member voted

Yea (49)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading. (2ESSB 5594)
  2. HCW - Executive action taken by committee. (2ESSB 5594)
  3. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (2ESSB 5594)
  4. HCW - Majority; do pass. (2ESSB 5594)
  5. First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness. (2ESSB 5594)
  6. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0. (2ESSB 5594)
  7. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (2ESSB 5594)
  8. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (2ESSB 5594)
  9. Returned to second reading for amendment. (2ESSB 5594)
  10. Rules suspended. (2ESSB 5594)
  11. Placed on third reading. (2ESSB 5594)
  12. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. (2ESSB 5594)
  13. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (2ESSB 5594)
  14. By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading. (2ESSB 5594)
  15. First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness. (2ESSB 5594)
  16. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0. (2ESSB 5594)
  17. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (2ESSB 5594)
  18. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (2ESSB 5594)
  19. 1st substitute bill substituted. (2ESSB 5594)
  20. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  21. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (2ESSB 5594)
  22. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  23. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (2ESSB 5594)
  24. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  25. HLTC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (2ESSB 5594)
  26. HLTC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  27. First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care.

SB 5594 in other sessions

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

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