Featured news

Legislature passes budgets in final hours with funding for law enforcement and housing

The compromise state budget was released over the weekend and passed in the final hours before the Legislature adjourned.
New public safety funding mechanism passed the Legislature & awaits Governor signature

The Legislature successfully landed HB 2015 on the desk of Governor Bob Ferguson, creating substantial new pathways for cities to grow their public safety funding.

Check out our summary of AWC’s 2025 session outcomes
City advocacy helps keep PWAA intact, Legislature diverts $288 million to general fund but backfills with bonds
Register now for AWC’s 2025 legislative session recap - May 22 online
Visit AWCs bill tracker for easy access to the bills you’re most interested in

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Housing affordability and supply continues to be a focus, but are we focusing on the right parts of the problem?

May 27 2025

The 2025 legislative session replicated many themes of recent sessions as it relates to promoting and supporting housing availability and affordability.
Environmental policy changes highlighted by producer responsibility for packaging law

May 27 2025

Culminating many years of work, the Legislature finally passed a comprehensive producer responsibility system for consumer product packaging in 2025.
A busy but ultimately quiet year on land use and building code issues

May 27 2025

After several years of constant changes to city Growth Management Act (GMA) responsibilities, the Legislature mostly took a pause on changing the rules of the road regarding comprehensive plans in recognition that there is no longer time to incorporate those into the current planning round without significant disruptions.
CDBG and HOME funds at risk in federal budget – sign on to NLC’s letter of support

May 27 2025

The President's FY2026 Budget Proposal recommends eliminating the Community Development Block Grant Program and the Home Investment Partnership Program.
Cannabis bills get some legislative action – But none that impacts cities

May 27 2025

The Legislature did not pass any significant changes to the state’s cannabis laws.
Budgets and revenue were the main attraction in 2025

May 27 2025

The main focus of the 2025 session was the biennial budgets and the projected $16 billion funding shortfall over the next four years.
General government bills get some airtime in 2025, but few pass the finish line

May 27 2025

The session was light on general government bills in 2025, as the state’s budget concerns dampened the desire to pass bills with significant fiscal impacts.
A busy year for HR & labor relations legislation, a slow one for pensions

May 26 2025

2025 was an active year for HR and labor relations issues, though ultimately a quieter one on pensions.
A slow year for open government legislation

May 26 2025

While AWC supported several amendments to the Public Records Act this year, only one managed to make it through the legislative process.
Emergency management for sheltering with pets

May 26 2025

A new emergency management law will require cities and counties to update their response plans to identify where people can take shelter alongside their pets, whether in the same area or under the same roof.
During a busy session for public safety funding ideas – One comes out on top

May 26 2025

The Legislature came out of the gates fast in 2025 with a slew of bills aimed at both public safety funding and policy issues, but only a handful ultimately passed.
World Cup fever nets new libations law in Washington

May 26 2025

The economic development realm was fairly quiet this session; however, the excitement around the impending World Cup brought lawmakers together to finally allow for libation zones in Washington state.
Session ends with some small but solid wins for human services

May 26 2025

Co-response programs saw some significant wins this session with new funding, renewed funding, and an official definition for “co-response.”
Strong stakeholder work results in funding and policy wins for local infrastructure and procurement

May 26 2025

The 2025 legislative session was mostly positive for AWC’s public works and infrastructure priorities given the state’s fiscal challenges, with cities’ advocacy playing a key role in helping to keep intact ongoing funding for the Public Works Assistance Account (PWAA).
Small victories for city transportation as legislators exercise restraint

May 26 2025

Amid a difficult fiscal climate, the 2025-27 biennium transportation budget met some city priorities, providing direct distributions and grant opportunities, but did not adopt a sustainable transportation revenue source with funding for local preservation, maintenance, and operations.

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Legislative Bulletin

Featured news

Legislature passes budgets in final hours with funding for law enforcement and housing

New public safety funding mechanism passed the Legislature & awaits Governor signature

Check out our summary of AWC’s 2025 session outcomes

City advocacy helps keep PWAA intact, Legislature diverts $288 million to general fund but backfills with bonds

Register now for AWC’s 2025 legislative session recap - May 22 online

Visit AWCs bill tracker for easy access to the bills you’re most interested in

All news

May 27 2025

The 2025 legislative session replicated many themes of recent sessions as it relates to promoting and supporting housing availability and affordability.

May 27 2025

Culminating many years of work, the Legislature finally passed a comprehensive producer responsibility system for consumer product packaging in 2025.

May 27 2025

May 27 2025

The President's FY2026 Budget Proposal recommends eliminating the Community Development Block Grant Program and the Home Investment Partnership Program.

May 27 2025

The Legislature did not pass any significant changes to the state’s cannabis laws.

May 27 2025

The main focus of the 2025 session was the biennial budgets and the projected $16 billion funding shortfall over the next four years.

May 27 2025

The session was light on general government bills in 2025, as the state’s budget concerns dampened the desire to pass bills with significant fiscal impacts.

May 26 2025

2025 was an active year for HR and labor relations issues, though ultimately a quieter one on pensions.

May 26 2025

While AWC supported several amendments to the Public Records Act this year, only one managed to make it through the legislative process.

May 26 2025

A new emergency management law will require cities and counties to update their response plans to identify where people can take shelter alongside their pets, whether in the same area or under the same roof.

May 26 2025

The Legislature came out of the gates fast in 2025 with a slew of bills aimed at both public safety funding and policy issues, but only a handful ultimately passed.

May 26 2025

The economic development realm was fairly quiet this session; however, the excitement around the impending World Cup brought lawmakers together to finally allow for libation zones in Washington state.

May 26 2025

Co-response programs saw some significant wins this session with new funding, renewed funding, and an official definition for “co-response.”

May 26 2025

The 2025 legislative session was mostly positive for AWC’s public works and infrastructure priorities given the state’s fiscal challenges, with cities’ advocacy playing a key role in helping to keep intact ongoing funding for the Public Works Assistance Account (PWAA).

May 26 2025

Amid a difficult fiscal climate, the 2025-27 biennium transportation budget met some city priorities, providing direct distributions and grant opportunities, but did not adopt a sustainable transportation revenue source with funding for local preservation, maintenance, and operations.