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WA HB2085

Bill

Status

Introduced

4/24/2025

Primary Sponsor

Rob Chase

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

2025-2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Establishes a joint legislative task force to study dividing Washington into two autonomous regions—Puget Sound (13 western counties) and Columbia (26 eastern and southwest counties)—each with regional governors, legislators, and judges
  • Washington would remain a single state for federal elections; the division would require a constitutional amendment approved by voters
  • Task force consists of the lieutenant governor (chair), majority and minority leaders from both chambers, with initial meeting 90 days after session adjournment
  • Creates separate Puget Sound and Columbia region committees with 11 members each representing banking, agriculture, forestry, transportation, energy, environment, tribes, code reviser, legislative staff, and judiciary
  • Task force must report its plan to the legislature by December 31, 2026; the act is titled the "win-win for Washington act"

Legislative Description

Concerning autonomous regions in Washington state.

Last Action

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

1/12/2026

Committee Referrals

State Government & Tribal Relations4/24/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available