The bill (SB 6239) seeking to mitigate liability exposure for state and local governments and alleviate the burden from increased tort claims has failed to advance in the House. AWC is grateful to Sen. Manka Dhingra (D–Redmond) for initiating the first step in a much-needed conversation and hopes to see legislation addressing this issue next year.

Local governments, along with the state, have long been plagued by steep costs due to tort claims that have hit tight budgets hard with increased insurance costs and pressure to settle claims regardless of the merits. AWC will continue to bring awareness to this issue and the ongoing need for reform.

Tort reform bill has undergone major changes, now in the House

February 20, 2026

What started as a short bill—with potentially big impacts—seeking to mitigate liability exposure for government and alleviate the burden from increased claims has ballooned in size. SB 6239 was amended in the Senate Ways & Means Committee before being passed by the Senate with a floor amendment. It is now scheduled to be heard in the House.

Here is what was added to this once-small bill:

• Creates a Claims Commission under the Office of Administrative Hearings and outlines an administrative adjudication process for tort claims against the state and political subdivision;
• Requires claims 10 or more years old to be brought to the commission before a claimant may file a civil suit;
• Allows for claims less than 10 years old to be brought to the commission or filed as a civil suit;
• Requires the court to dismiss suits for claims under 10 years old if the claimant files the same tortious conduct with the commission after filing with the court;
• Requires arbitrators to have victim-centered and trauma-informed training before arbitrating tort claims against the state or local government;
• Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) to conduct a study to determine effectiveness;
• Requires the commission and defendant agency to review tort claims against the state that were awarded $5 million or more and filed less than 10 years prior to the filing of the claim within 12 months of the conclusion of the award;
• Updates existing law to reflect creation of Claims Commission administrative hearings for the resolution of tort claims against the state or local governments; and
• Requires relevant legislative committees to convene a joint hearing to review the report within that 12-month period and consider appropriate modifications to state practices.

As part of the creation of the Claims Commission, AWC is working with the bill sponsor, Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond), to amend language to make it clear that claims less than 10 years old may be heard by the commission only when agreed upon by both parties.

Date to remember

SB 6239 is scheduled for a hearing in the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee on February 24 at 10:30 am.

Tort reform for state could benefit cities long term

January 30, 2026

Local governments, along with the state, have long been plagued by steep costs due to tort claims that have hit tight budgets hard with increased insurance costs and pressure to settle claims regardless of the merits. A bill sponsored by Sen. Manka Dhingra (D–Redmond) seeks to mitigate liability exposure inherent to government due to the wide range of services provided and alleviate the burden from the massive increase in claims. SB 6239 requires that tort claims over $15,000 against the state and local governments stemming from “injuries caused by government negligence” go through a civil arbitration process if 10 or more years have passed since the incident triggering the claim and are allowed for claims under the 10-year threshold, regardless of the claim amount, before being scheduled for trial. The 10-year threshold means that this will likely not impact most claims against cities.

While cities will likely not directly benefit from this legislation at this time, AWC appreciates Sen. Dhingra for initiating the first step in a much-needed conversation. AWC hopes the passage of tort reform for the state will open the door to future reforms that will help cities.

As part of the conversation and to encourage future progress on this issue, you should continue to educate your legislators on the following:

• Budgetary constraints your city has faced due to tort claim verdicts and trial costs;
• The pressure to settle claims to avoid the potential of costly legal fees;
• Services your city has reduced or eliminated due to prohibitively expensive costs from liability exposure; and
• Increases in insurance premium costs.