2026 Legislative Priorities
Tracking Kidney Care Priorities in Oregon & Washington
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Stay updated on key bills affecting kidney patients, dialysis providers, and the broader healthcare community.
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Below, you'll find real-time updates on legislation, where each bill is in the process, and how you can help support.
Washington State Priority Legislation
The following is a list of bills that NWKC supports and that may be considered by the 2026 Legislature. In Washington State during short 60-day sessions in even numbered years, legislation that was introduced in 2025, but did not pass the Legislature, is considered active again when the 2026 Legislature convened on January 12.
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​At this point in the legislative session, bills that have not progressed beyond a subject matter standing committee in their house of origin are considered “dead,” unless they are necessary to implement the budget. In the list below, you’ll note that all of the 2025 bills that were initially alive at the beginning of the 2026 session are now considered “dead.” NWKC continues to track SHB 2088 concerning the Dietician Licensure Compact, and ESHB 2238 concerning statewide food insecurity.
Position: Support
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Thank you, sponsors: Representatives Low, Davis
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Status: No action was taken on this legislation prior to a key cut-off so it’s “dead.” This legislation creates an Advisory Council on Rare Diseases to provide information and recommendations to the Secretary of Health, the Governor, and the Legislature. It failed to pass in 2025 due to fiscal concerns.
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Testimony: Submitted 1/20/25
Position: Support
Thank you, sponsors: By request of Governor’s Interagency Council on Health Disparities; Representatives Santos, Thai, Doglio, Berry, Ryu, Obras, Ormsby, Scott, Parshley, Timmons, Pollet, Macri, Simmons, Hunt, Hill
Status: No action was taken on this legislation prior to a key cut-off so it’s “dead.” This legislation changes the name of the Governor's Interagency Coordinating Council on Health Disparities to the Governor's Council for Health, Justice and Equity (Council). It also increases membership on the Council and changes its responsibilities to include creating a statewide vision and universal goals for health and well-being. This legislation failed to progress in 2025 due to a lack of consensus.
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Testimony: Submitted 1/24/25
Position: Support
Thank you, sponsors: Representatives Thai, Ormsby, Salahuddin, Parshley, Taylor, Hill, Doglio, Pollet, Nance, Callan, Fosse
Status: No action was taken on this legislation prior to a key cut-off so it’s “dead.” This legislation requires health plans to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of the chronic disease of obesity. While its companion bill, SB 5353 received a hearing in 2025, this legislation did not.
Position: Support
Thank you, sponsors: Requested by Governor Ferguson; Representatives Berg, Rude, Leavitt, Stonier, Simmons, Davis, Berry, Mena, Stearns, Thai, Walen, Rule, Ryu, Parshley, Peterson, Reed, Paul, Gregerson, Alvarado, Reeves, Goodman, Cortes, Obras
Status: No action was taken on this legislation prior to a key cut-off so it’s “dead.” This legislation requires public schools to provide breakfast and lunch each school day to any requesting student at no charge. While the legislation was requested by the Governor, and it did receive a hearing in 2025, it failed to advance due to the cost of implementation.
Testimony: Submitted 1/31/25
Position: Support
Thank you, sponsors: Representatives Berg, Parshley, Reed, Bernbaum, Thai, Kloba, Hill
Status: No action was taken on this legislation prior to a key cut-off so it’s “dead.” While the legislation received a hearing in 2025, it failed to advance due to OIC and insurer concerns around increased Medigap costs.
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In 2026, NWKC was part of a large coalition in support of HB 1603, here is a link to what we shared with legislators.
Position: Support
Thank you, sponsors: Representatives Thai, Parshley, Pollet
Status: No action was taken on this legislation prior to a key cut-off so it’s “dead.” While the legislation received a hearing in 2025, it failed to advance due to OIC and insurer concerns around increased Medigap costs.
Position: Support
Thank you, sponsors: Representatives Leavitt, Keaton, Barnard, Timmons, Reed, Jacobsen, Ryu, Zahn, Richards, Doglio, Simmons, Reeves, Macri, Pollet, Bernbaum
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Status: This legislation passed the House 93-1-4 (excused) on February 10, and is expected to be referred to Senate Health & Long-Term Care. The legislation would authorize Washington State to join the Dietician Licensure Compact.
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Testimony: Submitted 1/13/2026 to the House Committee on Postsecondary Education & Workforce
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Submitted 2/17/2026 to the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee
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Position: Support
Thank you, sponsors: Representatives Reaves, Gregerson, Doglio, Parshley, Ramel, Simmons, Peterson, Obras, Santos, Scott, Thomas, Stonier, Morgan, Ormsby, Berg, Goodman, Thai, Farivar, Fosse, Bergquist, Hill, Pollet, Donaghy, Bernbaum, Wylie, Zahn
Status: This legislation passed the House 83-12-3 (excused) on February 10 and is expected to be referred to Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources. This legislation would authorize Washington State to join the Dietician Licensure Compact. The legislation would direct the Department of Agriculture to develop a strategy for statewide food security in order to end hunger, reduce diet-related health disparities, and increase agricultural viability and supply chain resilience.
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Testimony: Submitted 1/13/2026 to the House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources
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Submitted 2/17/2026 to the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources
Position: Support
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Thank you, sponsors: Senators Liias, Holy, Stanford, Wagoner, Lovick, Gildon, Cleveland, Cortes, Fortunato, Harris, Nobles, Riccelli, Warnick
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Status: This legislation passed the House 83-12-3 (excused) on February 10 and is expected to be referred to Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources. This legislation would authorize Washington State to join the Dietician Licensure Compact. The legislation would direct the Department of Agriculture to develop a strategy for statewide food security in order to end hunger, reduce diet-related health disparities, and increase agricultural viability and supply chain resilience.
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Testimony: Submitted 1/20/25
Position: Support
Thank you, sponsors: Sens. Riccelli, Hasegawa, Conway, Nobles, Wilson, C.
Status: This legislation passed the House 83-12-3 (excused) on February 10 and is expected to be referred to Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources. This legislation would authorize Washington State to join the Dietician Licensure Compact. The legislation would direct the Department of Agriculture to develop a strategy for statewide food security in order to end hunger, reduce diet-related health disparities, and increase agricultural viability and supply chain resilience.
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Testimony: Submitted 1/24
Position: Support
Thank you, sponsors: Senators Cleveland, Muzzall, Chapman, Hasegawa, Krishnadasan, Nobles, Trudeau, Valdez
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Status: No action was taken on this legislation prior to a key cut-off so it’s “dead.” This legislation had a hearing in Senate Health & Long-Term Care and was referred, but not heard, in Ways & Means. It failed to progress in 2025 due to cost of implementation.
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Testimony: Submitted 1/24/25
Position: Support
Thank you, sponsors: Requested by Governor Ferguson; Senators Riccelli, Nobles, Harris, Cortes, Slatter, Orwall, Chapman, Ramos, Trudeau, Kauffman, Muzzall, Lovelett, Valdez, Krishnadasan, Hasegawa, Lovick, Liias, Saldaña, Dhingra, Conway, Bateman, Holy, Christian, Cleveland, King, Frame, Salomon, Stanford, Wilson, C.
Status: No action was taken on this legislation prior to a key cut-off so it’s “dead.” This legislation requires public schools to provide breakfast and lunch each school day to any requesting study and at no charge. While the legislation was requested by the Governor and it did receive a hearing in 2025, it failed to advance due to the cost of implementation.
Testimony: Submitted 1/31/25
Position: Support
Thank you, sponsors: Senators Cleveland, Muzzall, Riccelli, Bateman, Frame, Hasegawa, Krishnadasan, Nobles, Valdez, Wilson, C.
Status: No action was taken on this legislation prior to a key cut-off so it’s “dead.” This legislation requires health plans to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of the chronic disease of obesity. While this legislation received a hearing, it did not progress due to cost concerns raised by OIC and HCA.
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Testimony: Submitted 1/31/25
Oregon Priority Legislation
Position: Support
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Thank you, sponsors: Requested of Senate Interim Committee on Health Care.
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Status: Senate Committee on Health Care. This legislation requires the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to study health care. Directs the authority to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to health care no later than September 15, 2027. Sunsets on January 2, 2028.
Position: Support
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Thank you, sponsors: Sen. Lieber
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Status: Senate Committee on Health Care. This legislation requires the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to study health care. Directs the authority to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to health care no later than September 15, 2027. Sunsets on January 2, 2028.
Position: Support
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Thank you, sponsors: Sen. Smith DB
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Status: Inactive
Position: Support
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Thank you, sponsors: Sen. Campos
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Status: Inactive
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Testimony: Submitted 3/19/25
Position: Support
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Thank you, sponsors: Reps Pham, H., Javadi, McIntire
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Status: Inactive.​​​​
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Testimony: See patient group letter
Position: Support
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Thank you, sponsors: Rep. Diehl
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Status: Inactive
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Testimony: Submitted 02/13/25
Position: Support
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Thank you, sponsors: Rep. Tran
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Status: Inactive
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Testimony: Submitted 03/03
Position: Support
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Thank you, sponsors: Reps. Neron, Pham H, Javadi, Bowman, Munoz, Owens, Sen. Reynolds
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Status: Inactive
Position: Support
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Thank you, sponsors: Rep. Tran
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Status: Inactive
Position: Support
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Thank you, sponsors: Rep. Javadi, Diehl, Wright
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Status: Inactive
Now Take the Next Step
Engaging in the legislative process is easier than ever, with virtual testimony options and opportunities to contact lawmakers directly. Your voice can make a real impact.
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Submit Testimony – Click the bill links above to share your voice with lawmakers. You can feel free to use the points included in our testimony!
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Thank Your Legislators – Reach out to sponsors and express appreciation for their leadership. Let us know if you need help finding their contact information — they would love to hear from you.
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