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WA HB1946

Bill

Status

Passed

5/13/2025

Primary Sponsor

Natasha Hill

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Origin

House of Representatives

2025-2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Federally recognized Indian tribes with reservation or trust lands within a county or health district must be allowed to have a tribal representative serve on the local board of health, selected by the tribe itself
  • Urban Indian organizations recognized by Indian Health Service and registered as 501(c)(3) organizations in Washington that serve American Indian and Alaska Native people within a county must also be allowed tribal representation on local boards of health
  • Removes previous language requiring tribal representation based on "usual and accustomed areas" within a county, narrowing the geographic qualification to reservation or trust lands only
  • Local boards of health must notify the American Indian Health Commission when tribal representatives are added, and must modify board membership within 60 days of receiving notice of a tribal selection (until state rules are adopted)
  • State Board of Health must adopt rules establishing timelines for modifying local board membership within one year of the effective date (July 27, 2025)

Legislative Description

Clarifying tribal membership on local boards of health.

Last Action

Effective date 7/27/2025.

5/13/2025

Committee Referrals

Rules3/28/2025
Local Government3/14/2025
Rules2/21/2025
Local Government2/11/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available