WashingtonWashington sets plumbing infraction fines and allows credential suspensions
Starting January 1, 2027, Washington’s law sets fines for plumbing infractions and allows the department to suspend credentials after repeated infractions.
What it does
People and plumbing contractors face minimum fines for a first infraction. A second or later infraction can bring a fine of up to $5,000, and the department director may reduce or waive collection for good cause.
The department may suspend a person’s plumbing credential for up to two years after final orders establish five or more infractions within five years. Findings from one inspection or audit count as one.
Argument forCounting violations from one inspection or audit as one could help prevent a single visit from triggering a suspension based on multiple findings.
Argument againstPeople and contractors could face required minimum fines that a judge cannot lower, though the department director may reduce collection for good cause.
More detail
The law sets minimum fines for first infractions and caps fines for later infractions. These fines apply to infractions under RCW 18.106.020. A person’s minimum fine for a first infraction is $100; a contractor’s is $500. The department sets the penalty schedule by rule. A judge cannot waive, reduce, or suspend a fine, but the director may waive or reduce collection for good cause. These provisions take effect January 1, 2027.
The department may suspend a person’s plumbing credential for repeated infractions. This applies to an individual or plumbing contractor determined by final order to have committed five or more infractions within a five-year period. A suspension may last up to two years, and the department’s order must list each infraction used as a basis for it. Multiple infractions or violations from one inspection or audit count as one. The department must regularly update the advisory board of plumbers on enforcement actions. The suspension period runs from the date of the department’s final order. These provisions take effect January 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 24Effective date 1/1/2027.Latest
- Mar 24Chapter 178, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 24Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 10Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 5Speaker signed.Passed House
- Mar 5President signed.Passed Senate
- Mar 4Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#8). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 4Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 3Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Feb 25Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Feb 25LAWS - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Feb 25Executive action taken in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 8:45 AM.
- Feb 24Public hearing in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 19First reading, referred to Labor & Workplace Standards.Minor
- Feb 17Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#21). Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 17Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 17Floor amendment(s) adopted.
- Feb 171st substitute bill substituted (LC 26).Major
- Feb 16Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Feb 4Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Feb 3Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Feb 3Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Feb 3LC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Feb 3Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 10:30 AM.
- Jan 30Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce at 8:00 AM.
- Jan 16First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce.Introduced
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