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BILL · 2025–26 SESSION

SB 5944: Language access providers

Concerning language access providers' collective bargaining.

Summary

Provides that payments for missed or canceled appointments are part of "economic compensation" and therefore within the scope of collective bargaining between state agency employers and language access providers.

From the House Bill Report (SB 5944), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 109, Laws of 2026

IntroducedJan 12, 2026
Out of committeeJan 26, 2026
Passed SenateFeb 11, 2026
Passed HouseMar 4, 2026
GovernorMar 18, 2026
LawMar 18, 2026

Prime sponsor: Adrian Cortes (D-18)
Introduced: January 12, 2026 in the Senate
Last action: March 18, 2026
Session law: Chapter 109, Laws of 2026
Companion bill: HB 2190
Budget: Has a fiscal note

AN ACT Relating to language access providers' collective bargaining;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Adrian Cortes (D-18)

7 co-sponsors (7 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Emily Alvarado D-34 Steve Conway D-29 Bob Hasegawa D-11 T'wina Nobles D-28 Rebecca Saldaña D-37 Javier Valdez D-46 Claire Wilson D-30

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 11, 2026

Version voted on: SB 5944

44 Yea 5 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused

Party	Yea	Nay	Absent	Excused
Democrat	30	0	0	0
Republican	14	5	0	0

How each member voted

Yea (44)

Nay (5)

Permalink to this vote

House · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed March 4, 2026

Version voted on: SB 5944

86 Yea 10 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused

Party	Yea	Nay	Absent	Excused
Democrat	57	0	0	2
Republican	29	10	0	0

How each member voted

Yea (86)

Nay (10)

Excused (2)

Greg Nance D-23
Steve Tharinger D-24

Permalink to this vote

History

Mar 18, 2026Effective date 6/11/2026.
Mar 18, 2026Chapter 109, 2026 Laws.
Mar 18, 2026Governor signed.
Mar 9, 2026Delivered to Governor.
Mar 5, 2026President signed.
Mar 5, 2026Speaker signed.
Mar 4, 2026Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Mar 4, 2026Third reading, passed; yeas, 86; nays, 10; absent, 0; excused, 2.
Mar 3, 2026Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
Mar 2, 2026Referred to Rules 2 Review.
Feb 27, 2026Minority; do not pass.
Feb 27, 2026APP - Majority; do pass.
Feb 27, 2026APP - Executive action taken by committee.
Feb 23, 2026Referred to Appropriations.
Feb 20, 2026LAWS - Majority; do pass.
Feb 20, 2026LAWS - Executive action taken by committee.
Feb 14, 2026First reading, referred to Labor & Workplace Standards.
Feb 11, 2026Third reading, passed; yeas, 44; nays, 5; absent, 0; excused, 0.
Feb 11, 2026Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Feb 4, 2026Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Jan 26, 2026Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Jan 23, 2026Minority; without recommendation.
Jan 23, 2026Minority; do not pass.
Jan 23, 2026LC - Majority; do pass.
Jan 12, 2026First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce.
Dec 29, 2025Prefiled for introduction.

SB 5944 in other sessions

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

SB 5944 (2023–24) Prosecutorial filing · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5944 (2021–22) Org. retail theft task force · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5944 (2019–20) Law enf. training timeline · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5944 (2017–18) Rental car negl. entrustment · Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House
SB 5944 (2015–16) State spending programs · Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House
SB 5944 (2013–14) Vehicle load permits · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5944 (2011–12) Supermajority requirement · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5944 (2009–10) Lake Whatcom/phosphorus · Enacted · Chapter 48, Laws of 2009

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