WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION 2SSB 5965

SB 5965: Retail bags

Reducing environmental impacts associated with bags provided to customers at retail establishments.

Summary

  • Requires the fee for reusable plastic film bags to increase to $0.15 in 2028 and $0.18 in 2030.
  • Exempts carryout bags provided by restaurants for off-site consumption from the pass-through charge.
  • Clarifies that any customer using the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, cash, and food assistance program benefits must not be charged the pass-through charge for carryout bags.

From the Senate Bill Report (SB 5965), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · stalled on the Senate floor
  1. IntroducedJan 12, 2026
  2. Out of committeeFeb 23, 2026
  3. Passed Senatestopped here
  4. Passed House
  5. Governor
  6. Law
Prime sponsor
Jessica Bateman (D-22)
Introduced
January 12, 2026 in the Senate
Last action
February 23, 2026
Companion bill
HB 2233
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 5965, SSB 5965, 2SSB 5965

AN ACT Relating to reducing environmental impacts associated with bags provided to customers at retail establishments;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Jessica Bateman (D-22)

2 co-sponsors (2 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Jesse Salomon D-32Sharon Shewmake D-42

Votes

No recorded floor votes.

History

  1. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (2SSB 5965)
  2. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SSB 5965)
  3. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  4. Minority; without recommendation. (2SSB 5965)
  5. WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (2SSB 5965)
  6. Minority; do not pass. (2SSB 5965)
  7. Minority; do not pass. (SSB 5965)
  8. WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SSB 5965)
  9. Minority; without recommendation. (SSB 5965)
  10. Minority; without recommendation.
  11. WM - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  12. Minority; do not pass.
  13. Referred to Ways & Means. (SSB 5965)
  14. Referred to Ways & Means.
  15. Minority; do not pass. (SSB 5965)
  16. ENET - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SSB 5965)
  17. And refer to Ways & Means. (SSB 5965)
  18. Minority; without recommendation. (SSB 5965)
  19. Minority; without recommendation.
  20. And refer to Ways & Means.
  21. ENET - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  22. Minority; do not pass.
  23. First reading, referred to Environment, Energy & Technology.
  24. Prefiled for introduction.

SB 5965 in other sessions

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

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