WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION

SB 5863: State historical records

Concerning the preservation and inspection of state historical records.

Summary

  • Authorizes restricted records transferred to the Division of Archives and Records Management to be open to inspection and copying after the expiration of 75 years from creation of the record.
  • Extends the period when no documents or artifacts identified as part of the Lakeland Village preservation plan may be destroyed, until fiscal year 2030.

From the Senate Bill Report (SB 5863), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 208, Laws of 2026
  1. IntroducedJan 12, 2026
  2. Out of committeeJan 19, 2026
  3. Passed SenateFeb 4, 2026
  4. Passed HouseFeb 28, 2026
  5. GovernorMar 24, 2026
  6. LawMar 24, 2026
Prime sponsor
Claudia Kauffman (D-47)
Introduced
January 12, 2026 in the Senate
Last action
March 24, 2026
Session law
Chapter 208, Laws of 2026
Companion bill
HB 2252
Budget
Has a fiscal note

AN ACT Relating to the preservation and inspection of state historical records;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Claudia Kauffman (D-47)

7 co-sponsors (6 Democrats, 1 Republican)

Keith Wagoner R-39T'wina Nobles D-28Marcus Riccelli D-3Rebecca Saldaña D-37Sharon Shewmake D-42Yasmin Trudeau D-27Javier Valdez D-46

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 4, 2026
Version voted on: SB 5863
49 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat30000
Republican19000
How each member voted

Yea (49)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed February 28, 2026
Version voted on: SB 5863
94 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 4 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat58001
Republican36003
How each member voted

Yea (94)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed March 9, 2026
Version voted on: SB 5863
49 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat30000
Republican19000
How each member voted

Yea (49)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.
  2. Chapter 208, 2026 Laws.
  3. Governor signed.
  4. Delivered to Governor.
  5. President signed.
  6. Speaker signed.
  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.
  8. Senate concurred in House amendments.
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 94; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 4.
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.
  12. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review.
  14. SGOV - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).
  15. SGOV - Executive action taken by committee.
  16. First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Relations.
  17. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.
  18. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
  19. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  20. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  21. Minority; without recommendation.
  22. SGTE - Majority; do pass.
  23. First reading, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.
  24. Prefiled for introduction.

SB 5863 in other sessions

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

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