May 13, 2024

Campaign season kicks off and AWC looks ahead to 2025
We’re now officially in campaign season with the conclusion of candidate filing last week. We expect to see quite a bit of turnover in the Legislature, as a number of current legislators are opting to retire or seek other offices. Additionally, the legally required redistricting of the 14th Legislative District impacted several other districts and shuffled a few legislators around. We are also watching the races for statewide positions. AWC will host a Candidate Forum on September 12 in Tacoma featuring candidates for some of the statewide races, so save the date on your calendar now and watch for registration information in June.

With campaign season in full swing, you can expect candidates to contact you for endorsements. Make sure your endorsement counts by having a genuine and direct conversation with the candidates about your city or town’s needs and what is important to your community. Also, make sure you follow Public Disclosure Commission guidelines and your own council policies when it comes to making an endorsement.

AWC is already looking ahead to the 2025 legislative session with the first meeting of our Legislative Priorities Committee this week. The Committee will review issues and make recommendations to the AWC Board of Directors on AWC’s 2025 legislative agenda. Have a policy idea for the Committee to consider? Let us know ASAP. We are also in the process of updating AWC’s Statement of Policy, our foundational policy guidance. The Statement of Policy Committee has been meeting and will submit its recommendations to the full AWC membership for approval at the June 20 AWC Business Meeting.

Happy reading,

Candice Bock
Government Relations Director

EPA announces first-ever national PFAS drinking water standards
Last month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced final rules for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), aka “forever chemicals,” in drinking water systems. The rules establish legally enforceable maximum contaminant levels for six PFAS, giving water systems until 2027 to complete required monitoring and until 2029 to implement solutions. Washington plans to adopt the new national standards, which are more rigorous than the state’s current allowable levels. Learn more and plan to attend a presentation by the state’s Department of Health at AWC’s Annual Conference in June.

AWC sends letter to Washington Supreme Court on proposed public defense standards
AWC sent a letter to the Washington Supreme Court in April expressing our concerns about the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) Board of Governors’ recommended changes to the Washington Standards for Indigent Defense. AWC is seeking to work collaboratively with the Court and legislators on indigent defense issues, but we are still concerned about potential impacts. Earlier this month, the WSBA Board of Governors submitted a recommendation to the Supreme Court to revise public defense standards, including reduced caseload limits. More

Attorney General’s Office announces new opioid settlement with Kroger for $47.5 million
The Washington Attorney General’s Office announced a new $47.5 million settlement with Kroger, split between the state and eligible local governments. This resolution brings Washington’s total award from the settlements to more than $1.29 billion, with multiple ongoing cases against other drug companies still pending. As with all the opioid settlements, the money from this settlement must be spent on opioid epidemic abatement efforts. More

Simple Possession Advocacy and Representation Program accepting applications for funding
Cities with a population of 200,000 or less can apply for grant funding through the Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD) to help provide public defense services for individuals charged with drug possession under SB 5536. The OPD is accepting applications for funding in fiscal year 2025 (July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025). The application deadline is May 31. More

Deadline extended: Apply to serve on an AWC committee, state board, or advisory committee
AWC is currently recruiting city officials and select staff to serve on numerous AWC committees, state boards, and advisory committees. View the open recruitments for details and apply by May 20.

Initiative fact sheets now available
In this year’s legislative session, we saw the introduction of six initiatives to the Legislature, an unusually high number. Of those initiatives, three are moving forward to the ballot box in November’s general election to be decided by voters:

• Initiative 2109—Repealing the capital gains tax
• Initiative 2117—Repealing the Climate Commitment Act
• Initiative 2124—Making the WA Cares Fund voluntary

If passed, each initiative will have direct or indirect implications for Washington’s cities. While AWC does not take a position on ballot measures, we provide factual information on the potential impacts to our members. We encourage you to learn more about each of the initiatives and what they could mean for your city. More

Check out AWC's new State of the Cities: Municipal workforce report
AWC recently released our first State of the Cities report focused on city HR and labor relations issues. State of the Cities: Municipal workforce—The foundation of city services looks at the changing demands on cities and city workers, examines personnel-related cost-drivers, analyzes retirement and survey data related to recruitment and retention, and offers resources for cities looking to build their own team. Check it out!

Prepare to comply with new public works prompt payment requirements. City public works departments should be aware of SB 6192, which takes effect on June 6. More

Expanded city authority to use automated traffic safety cameras takes effect in June. HB 2384 has implications for existing and new city traffic safety camera programs.

State homeless housing plans are out for public comment. Commerce released two draft plans on addressing homelessness: the 2024-2029 State Homeless Housing Strategic Plan and the 2025-2030 Local Homeless Housing Plan Guidance. Comments on both drafts are due June 7. More

Double-check your residential parking regulations. New requirements go into effect June 6 that may conflict with your city’s development regulations. Read the page of new law to avoid surprises at the permit counter. More

Vehicle pursuits initiative and several law enforcement bills take effect June 6. Read the legislative recap for a summary of public safety and criminal justice laws taking effect this spring and summer. More

HR bills going into effect June 6. Learn more about the bills on employer political and religious speech (SB 5778) and 911 operators interest arbitration (SB 5808) that become effective in June. More

New project permit timelines deadline approaching. A law that passed last year requires GMA cities to meet new permit review timelines—or create an alternative review schedule by ordinance. If your city chooses the ordinance, it must be adopted by January 1, 2025, or the statutory timelines apply. More

Lodging tax reports are due May 17. Submit your city’s required annual reporting on 2023 lodging tax expenditures to the Joint Legislative Audit & Review Committee (JLARC) lodging tax reporting system. More

The JLARC Public Records Reporting System is now open for reporting 2023 data. Agencies that spent over $100,000 in staff and legal costs associated with maintaining public records and responding to records requests in 2023 are required to report by July 1. AWC uses the data collected by JLARC to advocate for cities in the Legislature. More

State Auditor’s Office (SAO) resources for meeting May 29 deadline to file annual financial reports. Check out SAO’s frequently asked questions, training, and technical assistance. More

Check out NLC’s webinar and FAQ on the Lindke v. Freed decision, where the Supreme Court defined when local government officials are considered “state actors” for the purposes of the First Amendment when they post on social media. More

FTC bans noncompete agreements nationwide. The Federal Trade Commission adopted a rule banning noncompete agreements nationwide after an extended rulemaking process. Learn more about the rule expected to go into effect in September. More

Need some tips to inspire your interim advocacy outreach?
Revisit our strong cities advocacy guide for ideas and strategies.

Missed our 2024 Legislative Session recap webinar?
Check out the recording to hear AWC lobbyists’ overview of the key action from 2024 and a look ahead to 2025. More

Save the date for AWC’s Candidate Forum
September 12 | Tacoma
AWC will host a Candidate Forum on Thursday, September 12, at the Tacoma Convention Center featuring the candidates for Governor, Attorney General, and Public Lands Commissioner. Plan to be part of this excellent opportunity to learn more about each candidate’s vision for our state and to directly address how they see cities and the state working together to benefit all of Washington’s residents. Additionally, we will be joined by former Governor Christine Gregoire for a lunchtime presentation about leading in difficult times and encouraging civil discourse and engagement.

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