Adds judges in Skagit and Yakima counties

State Bills: Washington

Published March 31st, 2026

Detected April 1st, 2026

Summary

Washington State Senate Bill 5868 adds one additional superior court judge position each in Skagit county and Yakima county. The bill was sponsored by Senators Wagoner, King, Dhingra, Lovelett, and Pedersen at the request of the Administrative Office of the Courts. The legislation passed the Senate 48-1 and was subsequently enacted as Chapter 226, Laws of 2026.

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What changed

SB 5868 authorizes the addition of two superior court judicial positions in Washington State—one in Skagit county and one in Yakima county. The bill was sponsored by five senators at the request of the Administrative Office of the Courts and passed both chambers with strong bipartisan support in early 2026. It has been enacted as Chapter 226, Laws of 2026 (C 226 L 26).

This is a routine administrative measure addressing judicial workload in two Washington counties. No specific compliance actions or deadlines are required of private entities. County governments and court administrators in Skagit and Yakima should prepare for the budgetary and operational integration of the new judicial positions.

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SB 5868 - 2025-26

Adding an additional superior court judge in Skagit county and in Yakima county. Sponsors: Wagoner, King, Dhingra, Lovelett, Pedersen By request:
Administrative Office of the Courts

Bill status-at-a-glance

As of Tuesday, March 31, 2026 10:52 PM

Current version:

SB 5868 (View original bill)

Current status:

C 226 L 26

Where is it in the process?

Bill status-at-a-glance

As of Tuesday, March 31, 2026 10:52 PM

Current version:

SB 5868 (View original bill)

Current status:

C 226 L 26

Where is it in the process?

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Bill history

View all roll calls on this bill

2026 Regular Session

In the Senate

Dec 10 Prefiled for introduction. Jan 12 First reading, referred to Law & Justice. (View original bill) Jan 15 Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM. (Committee materials) Jan 22 Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM. (Committee materials) LAW - Majority; do pass. (Majority report) And refer to Ways & Means. Jan 23 Referred to Ways & Means. Feb 2 Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4:00 PM. (Committee materials) Feb 9 Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 10:30 AM. (Committee materials) WM - Majority; do pass. (Majority report) Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. Feb 10 Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. Feb 16 Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 0. (View this roll call)

In the House

Feb 17 First reading, referred to Civil Rights & Judiciary. Feb 24 Public hearing in the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary at 10:30 AM. (Committee materials) Feb 25 Executive action taken in the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary at 8:00 AM. (Committee materials) CRJ - Majority; do pass. (Majority report) Referred to Appropriations. Feb 27 Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM. (Committee materials) Mar 2 Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 10:30 AM. (Committee materials) APP - Majority; do pass. (Majority report) Referred to Rules 2 Review. Mar 4 Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. Mar 5 Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. Third reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 3. (View this roll call)

In the Senate

Mar 6 President signed.

In the House

Mar 6 Speaker signed.

Other than legislative action

Mar 9 Delivered to Governor. (View bill as passed legislature) Mar 25 Governor signed. Chapter 226, 2026 Laws. (View session law) Effective date 6/11/2026.