The State of Washington Legislative Session is underway through March 12, 2026. The City of Bonney Lake will advocate the importance of the following issues when they are brought up for discussion by the Legislature.
Automated License Plate Readers: We support exempting Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) images and data from the Public Records Act; however, Senate Bill 6002 imposes overly restrictive and unworkable requirements on cities. The bill’s 72-hour retention limit, warrant requirements, and prohibition on using ALPR data to investigate misdemeanor crimes would hinder legitimate law enforcement activities, including domestic violence, DUI, and road-rage investigations. Additionally, the bill creates unfunded mandates through new registration, reporting, auditing, and policy requirements tied to an as-yet-unwritten Attorney General model policy. We urge collaboration with law enforcement and public records professionals to amend this legislation so it supports public safety while remaining practical for local governments. See letter of January 20, 2026, for full statement.
Public Records Act (PRA): We support the reform of Washington’s Public Records Act to preserve transparency and public access while preventing abuse that interferes with essential government functions. Increasingly, PRA requests are being used to monetize records and interactions, consuming significant staff time and taxpayer resources. See letter of January 20, 2026, for full statement.
Public Works Assistance Account (PWAA): We urge opposition to the Governor’s proposed $75 million diversion from the Public Works Assistance Account (PWAA). PWAA is a critical funding source for cities and towns to maintain and upgrade essential infrastructure, including water systems, wastewater treatment, stormwater facilities, and streets. Diverting these funds jeopardizes current and future PWAA awards, including emergency and disaster recovery funding, worsens existing infrastructure shortfalls identified by cities statewide, and shifts infrastructure costs to private development—undermining efforts to reduce housing costs. See letter of January 16, 2026, for full statement.
Growth Management Act Reform (GMA): The GMA is grounded in community engagement and local decision-making, but increasingly prescriptive statewide land-use mandates risk undermining that structure. Its increasingly prescriptive statewide mandates undermine local control, limit community-driven planning, and create unfunded burdens for cities. We urge the Legislature to significantly repeal or significantly reform the GMA to restore local decision-making authority.
Protecting Fairness in Girls’ Sports: We support policies that protect fairness and competitive integrity in girls’ sports by ensuring athletic participation is based on biological sex, while treating all students with dignity and respect. Clear, consistent standards are needed to preserve equal opportunities for female athletes.
Medical for Kids: We support parental involvement in children’s medical care and believe parents should be informed participants in important health decisions affecting their minor children. Policies should respect family rights while ensuring appropriate protections for a child’s health, safety, and well-being.
Child Safety: We support reforms that prioritize child safety in cases involving fentanyl and other highly dangerous substances. Child welfare decisions should ensure children are not returned to environments where substance addiction poses an immediate risk, while also providing parents access to effective treatment and recovery services. Protecting children must remain the paramount consideration.
Voting for Sheriffs: We support preserving the ability of voters to elect their county sheriffs. County sheriffs are directly accountable to the communities they serve, and maintaining local voter control helps ensure transparency, responsiveness, and public trust in law enforcement leadership.
State Income Tax: We oppose the creation of a state income tax and support maintaining Washington’s current tax structure. Any new income tax would place additional financial burdens on residents and businesses and could negatively impact economic stability and competitiveness across the state.
Indigent Defense: We support the position of the Association of Washington Cities to increase state support and funding for indigent defense services to meet existing needs as well as the new lower caseload mandates ordered by the Washington Supreme Court. Enhance state support for increasing the indigent defense workforce with incentives and programs to encourage more public defenders.