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SB 5294

Transferring dedicated accounts for certain professional licenses to the business and professions account.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Perry Dozier and 3 co-sponsors

Consolidates six dedicated licensing accounts into the Business and Professions Account, pooling funds and transferring balances by Feb 28, 2026; annual reporting begins 2026.

Effective date 1/1/2026.
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Bill Summary · SB 5294

Summary — SB 5294 (Chapter 232, 2025 Laws)

Title: Transferring dedicated accounts for certain professional licenses to the business and professions account
Effective date: January 1, 2026
Signed by Governor: May 12, 2025

Purpose / Intent

SB 5294 consolidates several smaller, profession-specific licensing accounts administered by the Department of Licensing (DOL) into the Department’s existing Business and Professions Account. The stated aim (requested by DOL) is to pool resources for licensing administration, increase financial stability for smaller programs, and reduce the risk of sudden, significant fee increases for the affected professions.

Key provisions

  • Amends RCW 43.24.150 to expand the list of chapters whose receipts must be deposited into the Business and Professions Account.
  • Repeals six DOL-administered dedicated accounts:
    • Architects' License Account (RCW 18.08.240)
    • Landscape Architects' License Account (RCW 18.96.210)
    • Funeral and Cemetery Account (RCW 18.39.810)
    • Real Estate Appraiser Commission Account (RCW 18.140.260)
    • Geologists' Account (RCW 18.220.120)
    • Appraisal Management Company Account (RCW 18.310.160)
  • Transfers any residual balances in those six accounts (as of December 31, 2025) to the Business and Professions Account. The State Treasurer must make the transfer after OFM completes the FY2025 financial statement, and no later than February 28, 2026.
  • Requires DOL to report on revenues and expenditures for each chapter using the Business and Professions Account. Under the engrossed substitute (final enacted text) this is an annual report due on or before September 30 each year, beginning in 2026.
  • No new appropriation is included; a fiscal note is available.

Who is affected

  • Licensees and regulated entities in the repealed-account professions (architects, landscape architects, funeral and cemetery professions, certified real estate appraisers, geologists, appraisal management companies).
  • The Department of Licensing’s budgeting and accounting for the affected licensing programs.
  • Potentially, fee-setting and reserve-management practices for those professions (administrative funding will come from a pooled account rather than separate dedicated accounts).

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Passed Senate and House with unanimous or near-unanimous votes (Senate passed 49–0; House passed 97–0).
  • Governor signed May 12, 2025. Chaptered as Chapter 232, 2025 Laws.
  • Effective January 1, 2026. Residual fund transfer deadline: by February 28, 2026 (after OFM FY2025 financial statement).

Additional context

  • DOL requested the bill and testified in support. The bill’s consolidation is intended to stabilize smaller program finances and smooth administrative costs; DOL supported the added reporting requirement. No formal opposition was recorded in committee reports.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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