On February 25, HB 2274 passed out of the Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development Committee, clearing the opposite chamber policy cutoff. That’s an important step forward. The bill now moves to Senate Rules, where it must be pulled to the floor for a vote by the full Senate. The next major deadline is March 6, the last day to consider bills from the opposite chamber. The coming days are critical.
Key Changes in the Amended Bill
The amended bill makes two significant changes to the existing law:
- Proportional statutory damages- Damages are reduced from $500 per message to $100 per message, or actual damages, whichever is greater. This preserves enforcement while aligning penalties more closely with real harm.
- Knowledge requirement- A plaintiff must prove the sender either actually knew what they were sending was false or misleading, or that objective facts show they reasonably should have known. This eliminates automatic liability based solely on wording and focuses enforcement on intentional or clearly deceptive conduct.
While not a comprehensive reform, this bill provides much-needed stability in the current litigation climate and maintains core consumer protections. It also signals that the legislature recognizes that a law written in 1998 must be modernized for today’s technology and marketing environment.
Interim Reform Process Will Shape 2027 Updates
A 60-day legislative session limits how much structural reform can be accomplished. Comprehensive reform will require meaningful interim stakeholder engagement. WR is committed to ensuring retailers’ operational realities are fully understood as lawmakers work toward a durable, long-term solution in 2027. If you would like to be involved in the interim stakeholder workgroups, please email WR Director of Policy & Government Affairs Crystal Leatherman at [email protected].
Thank You to Our Members and Coalition Partners
The progress of HB 2274 reflects strong advocacy from WR members and coalition partners. Lawmakers consistently emphasized how important it was to hear directly from businesses across Washington. Thank you to everyone who responded to alerts, contacted legislators, and helped move this bill forward.
Next Steps: Senate Rules and Floor Vote Before March 6
The immediate focus is advancing HB 2274 out of Senate Rules and securing a full Senate vote before the March 6 deadline. Grassroots engagement will continue to matter. If you would like to be more involved in WR’s advocacy network, please click here.
