Committee advances AI "companion chatbot" substitute after rejecting private-rights amendment
January 23, 2026 | Legislative Sessions, Washington
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The Technology, Economic Development & Veterans Committee on Friday reported out a proposed substitute to House Bill 22 25 (H3140.1), a measure that would require operators of AI "companion chatbots" to disclose that interactions are artificially generated and impose enhanced safeguards for minors.
Staff briefly described two competing proposed substitutes before the committee adopted H3140.1. The version sponsored by Representative Thomas narrows the definition of covered systems, exempts narrowly focused customer-service and educational tools, requires operators to disclose when a chatbot is not a healthcare professional if medical advice is sought, and requires annual reporting of crisis notifications to the attorney general.
"This proposed substitute provides important clarifications to make the bill work as intended," Representative Thomas said, asking members for their support and noting stakeholder input from the governor's office and the Washington State PTA.
Representative Barnard moved amendment pool 159 to limit enforcement under the Consumer Protection Act so only the Attorney General could bring actions; Barnard said the change would prevent many low-merit private lawsuits that could burden courts while preserving accountability through the AG's office. The committee voted on pool 159 by voice and the chair announced the amendment was not adopted.
After discussion of fiscal impacts and implementation questions, staff called the roll. Committee staff later announced the final standing-committee tally as seven ayes, three nays and three excused; by that vote, H3140.1 was reported out of committee with a "do pass" recommendation.
The committee record shows members asked whether elements of the two proposed substitutes could be combined; staff said they could not be mixed at the committee-adoption stage because adopting one substitute puts the other out of order.
Next steps: with the committee's favorable report, the substitute will move to the House process for subsequent steps, including potential floor action and further committee review. The committee did not provide a revised fiscal note during the hearing; staff said revisions may follow as the bill advances.
• What the bill would do: require operator disclosures for AI companion chatbots, extend special protections for minors (including increased frequency of notifications), prohibit certain deceptive claims that a chatbot is human, and require annual reporting of crisis-notification counts to the attorney general.
• Committee action: amendment pool 159 moved (Representative Barnard) and not adopted; proposed substitute H3140.1 reported out with a "do pass" recommendation (7 ayes, 3 nays, 3 excused).
Staff briefly described two competing proposed substitutes before the committee adopted H3140.1. The version sponsored by Representative Thomas narrows the definition of covered systems, exempts narrowly focused customer-service and educational tools, requires operators to disclose when a chatbot is not a healthcare professional if medical advice is sought, and requires annual reporting of crisis notifications to the attorney general.
"This proposed substitute provides important clarifications to make the bill work as intended," Representative Thomas said, asking members for their support and noting stakeholder input from the governor's office and the Washington State PTA.
Representative Barnard moved amendment pool 159 to limit enforcement under the Consumer Protection Act so only the Attorney General could bring actions; Barnard said the change would prevent many low-merit private lawsuits that could burden courts while preserving accountability through the AG's office. The committee voted on pool 159 by voice and the chair announced the amendment was not adopted.
After discussion of fiscal impacts and implementation questions, staff called the roll. Committee staff later announced the final standing-committee tally as seven ayes, three nays and three excused; by that vote, H3140.1 was reported out of committee with a "do pass" recommendation.
The committee record shows members asked whether elements of the two proposed substitutes could be combined; staff said they could not be mixed at the committee-adoption stage because adopting one substitute puts the other out of order.
Next steps: with the committee's favorable report, the substitute will move to the House process for subsequent steps, including potential floor action and further committee review. The committee did not provide a revised fiscal note during the hearing; staff said revisions may follow as the bill advances.
• What the bill would do: require operator disclosures for AI companion chatbots, extend special protections for minors (including increased frequency of notifications), prohibit certain deceptive claims that a chatbot is human, and require annual reporting of crisis-notification counts to the attorney general.
• Committee action: amendment pool 159 moved (Representative Barnard) and not adopted; proposed substitute H3140.1 reported out with a "do pass" recommendation (7 ayes, 3 nays, 3 excused).
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