City officials are serious and passionate about community priorities and eager to increase City participation and representation in the Washington State legislative process. City leaders are highly engaged in this work, advocating for funding and policy priorities that benefit our community. A standing project team led by the Mayor’s Office coordinates this work and a contract lobbying team represents the City in Olympia during the legislative session and year around. City leaders also enjoy strong relationships with elected state representatives and interact regularly with them.

2026 Legislative Agenda

Actively Pursue

Access to housing for all

The City supports as a top priority a range of legislative actions to reduce barriers and enable local efforts to create more – and more affordable – housing choices. These include but are not limited to:

• Support statewide prohibition on rent-setting algorithms.  
• Support condominium reforms and incentives, key to expanding ownership opportunities.  
• Monitor and support various proposals, such as subdivision code updates; modifications to elevator requirements; mobile dwelling unit requirements; protections for mobile and manufactured home parks; incentives for commercial conversions to residential; and other changes that encourage infill, accelerate housing production of all types, and expand ownership opportunities. 
• Support for different housing models through siting, development permit processes and standards, and requirements for permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, indoor emergency housing, or indoor emergency shelters (HB 1195)
• Monitor and support proposed limits to number of properties corporate entities can own.

Addressing vacant buildings and properties

• Consider a land value tax mechanism and other attempts to address vacant properties by creating clear financial incentives to develop underutilized properties.
• Support other policy options and tools to support downtown initiatives and address encampments, illegal dumping and the extensive property cleanup needs they cause.

Funding for priority capital needs

• Bellingham Municipal Court: Funding to support renovation of former federal courthouse to house the court, expand services and further reinvigorate a historic anchor downtown building.
• Day shelter needs: Funding to support feasibility, facilities and operations for much-needed day facilities for unsheltered populations.
• Bellingham Bay cleanup grants: Preserve Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) funds, regardless of state funding shortfalls.

Actively Support

Fiscal sustainability, flexibility, and local options

Local government revenues are not keeping pace with the rising costs of delivering services, and existing options unfairly penalize lower income community members. The City supports progressive revenue options, and other funding opportunities, including but not limited to:

• New options: New strategies that offer sustainable, flexible, less regressive local revenue options.
• Real estate excise tax (REET): Collect REET in a graduated, more progressive manner. Strategically expand current REET without diluting existing priority uses.
• Public safety sales tax: Continue addressing barriers to implementing public safety sales tax.
• Behavioral health facility: Support Whatcom County request for flexibility in use of appropriated funds, to support more sustainable financial model and adapt services to community needs.
• LEED certification: Remove prescriptive LEED requirements from Commerce-funded projects, due to significant costs diluting grant funds directed to Bellingham library remodel.

Transportation, utility and other infrastructure needs

The City supports advancing policy initiatives and investments in transportation, utility and other infrastructure needs for our growing community. Key among our many needs include:

• Priority maintenance: Support additional funding for bridge and road preservation, as proposed in Governor’s budget. Advocate for protecting Public Works Board funding and other infrastructure funding sources, regardless of state shortfalls.
• Nutrient regulations: Enact wastewater regulations that are protective of Puget Sound and financially sustainable for ratepayers and residents. 
• Mitigation banking: Improve regulatory timelines for mitigation banking.
• Transportation interests: E-bike and e-motorcycle regulations and enforcement, retail delivery fees, highway usage fees and other interests.
• Fire training center: Support planning and facility funding for regional fire training center.   

Preserve and expand access to healthcare

Develop legislative pathways to foster more competition and preserve and expand access to healthcare.

Monitor

Other legislative activities

While this agenda represents key City priorities for the 2026 session, it is not comprehensive and is a living document. The City and its contract lobbying team are monitoring other activities and will support or oppose other emerging legislative priorities during the session.

Partner legislative priorities

The City values its local partners in public service, advocacy organizations representing specific service areas, and our tribal government neighbors. We support their priorities where needs and interests align.