House2025-26 sessionFiscal note

HB 2632: Modernizing terminology when referring to individuals who are not citizens or nationals of the United States.

Signed into law: Chapter 36, Laws of 2026

Sponsor
Thai
Introduced
January 22, 2026
Status
C 36 L 26
Last action
Effective date 6/11/2026*. (March 11, 2026)
As of
October 16, 2026, 5:15 AM Pacific, from the Legislature’s records

What this bill does

Replaces certain references to "alien" with "noncitizen." Requires all state and local statutes and other official documents enacted after July 1, 2026, to use the term "noncitizen" or other context-appropriate term, instead of the term "alien," when referring to an individual who is not a citizen or national of the United States, unless use of the term "alien" is required to comply with federal law or funding requirements. Allows state agencies to use the expedited rulemaking process if the proposed rule only substitutes the term "alien" with the term "noncitizen" or other context-appropriate term but does not change the effect of the rule.

From the Washington State Legislature's nonpartisan staff bill analysis. Read the full analysis ↗

Floor votes

  • House: 3rd Reading & Final Passage · February 16, 2026
    58 yea · 39 nay · 1 not voting
  • Senate: 3rd Reading & Final Passage · March 3, 2026
    31 yea · 18 nay

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Other bills sponsored by Thai

All 2025-26 Washington State bills →

Source: the Washington State Legislature. OlympiaTrack is an independent bill-tracking service and is not affiliated with the Legislature. View on leg.wa.gov ↗