2026 Legislative Priorities

For more bill information, visit the Washington State Legislature website.

Building a Budget that Reflects Washington's Values
Washington requires a budget that truly represents the values of its residents. A well-crafted budget should be stable and prioritize the investments that our communities depend on for their continued well-being.

Investing in Education and Essential Services
To maintain a thriving society, it is crucial to fully fund K-12 and higher education, as well as safeguard the essential services that families across Washington rely on. These investments are the foundation of strong communities and provide the support necessary for future generations.

The Importance of Stable Funding
Repeated cuts to core state functions are not a viable solution for the long term. Such reductions compromise the effectiveness and reliability of programs and services that are central to the quality of life in Washington.

Addressing Tax Structure Through Reform
Washington must pursue meaningful tax reform to address the regressive nature of its current tax structure. Creating a fair and equitable system will help ensure that the state has the resources needed to fund vital programs and services, while also promoting equity among its residents.

2026 Legislative Policy Priorities

• Ensure housing affordability
• Expand economic opportunity and small business support
• Support education and workforce development
• Advance public health equity and behavioral health services
• Protect immigrant and refugee communities
• Fund community safety and violence prevention & intervention programs
• Advance environmental justice and climate resilience
• Empower civic engagement and representation
• Support Apple Health expansion

BUSINESS, LABOR, and WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

SB 5852 Concerning immigrant worker protections. (Sen Saldana)
SB 5023 Providing labor market protections for domestic workers. (Sen Saldana)
SB 6045 Placing agricultural employees under the jurisdiction of the public employment relations commission for the purpose of collective bargaining. (Sen Saldana)
HB 2183 Requiring counties to develop & implement heat response plans. (Representative Parshley)
HB 2191 Concerning workers wages and benefits in the construction industry. (Representative Cortes)
HB 2479 Concerning the recovery of unpaid wages. (Rep Fosse)

CHILDREN, YOUTH, and FAMILIES

SB 5062 & HB 1128 Establishing a childcare workforce standards board. (Sen Stafford)
SB 5296 & HB 1322 Improving outcomes for individuals adjudicated of juvenile offenses by increasing opportunities for community placement options and refining procedural requirements. (Sen Wilson)
SB 5488 & HB 1711 Strengthening the financial stability of persons in the care of the Department of Children, Youth and Families. (Sen Alvarado)
HB 2484 Creating the youth development fund account to increase access to positive youth development programs. (Rep Rule)

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT and GOVERNMENT

SB 5892 Concerning protection of the voter registration database. (Sen Riccelli and Sen Valdez)
HB 1503 Furthering digital equity and opportunity. (Rep Gregerson)
HB 1710 Concerning compliance with the Washington Voting Rights Act of 2018. (Rep Mena)
HB 2475 Concerning language accessible public programs, activities, and services conducted, operated, or administered by state agencies. (Rep Ortiz-Self and Rep Mena)

EDUCATION

HB 1683 Adjusting school director districts (Rep Ortiz-Self)
SB 5007 Supporting students who are chronically absent and at risk for not graduating from high school. (Sen Braun)

ENVIRONMENT and NATURAL RESOURCES

HB 1303 Increasing environmental justice by improving government decisions. (Rep Mena)

HOUSING

SB 5082/HB 1429 Creating a housing assistance program for youth enrolled in extended foster care. (Sen Wilson)
SB 5508 & HB 1177 Concerning the child welfare housing assistance program. (Sen Krishnadasan)
SB 6026 Concerning residential development in commercial and mixed-use zones. (Sen Alvarado)
SB 6028 Establishing a revolving loan fund for mixed-income affordable homeownership development. (Sen Alvarado)
HB 1263: Updating eligible uses for the essential needs and housing support program. (Rep Cortes)

IMMIGRATION

HB 2105 Concerning immigrant worker protections. (Representative Ortiz-Self)
SB 5855 Concerning the use of face coverings by law enforcement officers. (Senator Valdez)
SB 6002 Concerning driver privacy protections. (Sen Trudeau)
HB 2165 Concerning false identification as a peace officer. (Rep Obras)

PUBLIC SAFETY

SB 5066 Concerning law enforcement and local corrections agency misconduct through investigations and legal actions. (Sen Hansen)
SB 5364 Modernizing, harmonizing, and clarifying laws concerning sheriffs, chiefs, marshals, and police matrons. (Sen Lovick)
SB 5974 Concerning the disposition of unenforceable legal financial obligations other than restitution imposed by a court or an agent of the court against a juvenile prior to July 1, 2023. (Sen Lovick)
HB 1740 Expanding the office of independent investigations to include prosecutions of criminal conduct. (Rep Stonier)
HB 2464 Concerning reporting requirements and law enforcement responses for incidents at private detention facilities. (Rep Ortiz-Self)