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Cities and counties may concurrently enact cultural access sales tax under proposed bill

Feb 13 2026

A bill that would remove the restrictions on a city and county concurrently imposing a cultural access program 0.01% sales tax passed out of committee before the fiscal cutoff.
Changes proposed to derelict vessel removal law

Feb 13 2026

For cities that own or manage aquatic lands, sinking or abandoned boats can be not only an eyesore but also costly to remove and environmentally hazardous.
Mobile dwellings bill is back and on the move

Feb 13 2026

The bill from last session that would allow a “home on wheels” on every lot and invoked fears of Cousin Eddie’s RV moving next door has reemerged in a significantly improved version than last we saw it.
Local option to waive sales tax on materials for affordable housing passes the House

Feb 13 2026

HB 1717 has been on a bit of a fast track this session.
More guardrails to expanded AGO authority as bill passes Senate

Feb 13 2026

The Senate passed SB 5925 with an amendment that provides more guardrails to the expansion of the Attorney General’s powers sought in the bill.
HR bills: What didn’t make it past the first committee cutoffs?

Feb 13 2026

Several HR-related bills did not make it out of committee in time for further consideration.
Pregnancy accommodations bill passes Senate with bipartisan support

Feb 13 2026

The Senate passed the bill clarifying pregnancy accommodations, SB 6014, with bipartisan support.
PRA demographic data exemption fails to advance

Feb 13 2026

SB 6123 sought to exempt an agency employee ’s voluntarily submitted demographic data from inclusion in public records requests.
OPMA bill doesn’t pass the first cutoff date

Feb 13 2026

Washington’s Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) outlines that whenever a quorum of a government body is gathered, the public has a right to 24-hours' notice of the meeting and to be present.
New PFML rules adopted implementing 2025 legislation

Feb 11 2026

In 2025, the Legislature passed SB 5525, which exempted employees on Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) from mass layoff notices, with a few exceptions.
AWC legislative priority public defense funding bill comes back to life in a form that could help cities

Feb 09 2026

AWC-supported HB 1592 was resurrected just before cutoff with potential good news for cities.
Tourism promotion fee extension bill set for committee vote

Feb 09 2026

A bill to eliminate the expiration of the authority for a city or county tourism promotion fee is set for a committee vote.
State-shared revenues and your city

Feb 06 2026

For many years, cities have relied on consistent state-shared revenue funds to support safe communities, maintain strong infrastructure, and meet diverse community needs.
Local option for kit homes bill clears cutoff

Feb 06 2026

Sen. Jeff Wilson’s (R–Longview) SB 5249, providing for a local option to permit and site kit homes as emergency housing, has passed the Senate Ways & Means Committee ahead of the fiscal cutoff.
Small city expansion of lodging tax use does not advance before deadline

Feb 06 2026

The proposal to allow small cities to use a portion of lodging taxes to address the impacts of tourism on infrastructure and criminal justice needs has not been scheduled for a hearing before the February 9 legislative deadline for bills to pass out of fiscal committees.
Bill heard to require police to record and document immigration enforcement encounters

Feb 06 2026

HB 2648 requires police to make a record when they observe immigration enforcement actions.
Indigent defense task force bill sails through the Senate

Feb 06 2026

SB 5912 to reintroduce a statewide indigent task force has passed the Senate unanimously.
Bill establishing presumptive PTSD for local correctional workers continues

Feb 06 2026

The Legislature continues its consideration of expanding post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a presumptive occupational disease for local correctional facility workers.
Electronic monitoring notification bill survives first cutoff

Feb 06 2026

HB 2144 was heard in the House Appropriations Committee on Friday, February 6, and scheduled for a vote by the committee on Monday, February 9.
Permitting bill takes a complete turn

Feb 06 2026

SB 5729 has had quite an adventure in the Legislature.

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