WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION ESSB 5993

SB 5993: Medical debt interest

Concerning lowering the interest rate for medical debt.

Summary

  • Replaces the 9 percent cap on prejudgment interest for medical debt with a 1 percent cap per year on new medical debt that is accrued after December 31, 2026, whether before or after an entry of judgment.
  • Prohibits interest from being charged, and requires a refund for any interest paid, for any portion of medical debt that is accrued in specified circumstances.

From the Engrossed Substitute House Bill Report (ESSB 5993), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House
  1. IntroducedJan 12, 2026
  2. Out of committeeJan 23, 2026
  3. Passed SenateFeb 6, 2026
  4. Passed Housestopped here
  5. Governor
  6. Law
Prime sponsor
Emily Alvarado (D-34)
Introduced
January 12, 2026 in the Senate
Last action
March 12, 2026
Versions
SB 5993, SSB 5993, ESSB 5993

AN ACT Relating to lowering the interest rate for medical debt;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Emily Alvarado (D-34)

15 co-sponsors (15 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Marcus Riccelli D-3Jessica Bateman D-22Steve Conway D-29Noel Frame D-36Bob Hasegawa D-11Marko Liias D-21Liz Lovelett D-40John Lovick D-44T'wina Nobles D-28Tina Orwall D-33Vandana Slatter D-48Derek Stanford D-1Yasmin Trudeau D-27Javier Valdez D-46Claire Wilson D-30

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 6, 2026
Version voted on: ESSB 5993
29 Yea 19 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat29001
Republican01900
How each member voted

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote
1 other recorded vote (amendments, procedural motions)

Senate · Amendment 549 by Wagoner (page 1, line 20)

February 6, 2026
Version voted on: ESSB 5993
19 Yea 29 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat02901
Republican19000
How each member voted

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading. (ESSB 5993)
  2. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (ESSB 5993)
  3. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (ESSB 5993)
  4. Minority; do not pass. (ESSB 5993)
  5. CRJ - Majority; do pass. (ESSB 5993)
  6. CRJ - Executive action taken by committee. (ESSB 5993)
  7. First reading, referred to Civil Rights & Judiciary. (ESSB 5993)
  8. Third reading, passed; yeas, 29; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 1. (ESSB 5993)
  9. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESSB 5993)
  10. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (ESSB 5993)
  11. 1st substitute bill substituted. (ESSB 5993)
  12. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  13. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (ESSB 5993)
  14. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  15. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (ESSB 5993)
  16. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  17. LAW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (ESSB 5993)
  18. Minority; do not pass. (ESSB 5993)
  19. Minority; without recommendation. (ESSB 5993)
  20. Minority; without recommendation.
  21. Minority; do not pass.
  22. LAW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  23. First reading, referred to Law & Justice.
  24. Prefiled for introduction.

SB 5993 in other sessions

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

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