Dear friends and neighbors,
We’re now just weeks away from the 2026 legislative session that begins next January, and I’m working on the details for some of the bills I’m planning to introduce and work on next year. During these uncertain times my focus is passing legislation to improve the lives of Washingtonians and protect our democracy. My main priorities remain consistent: continuing our work to make housing, child care, and everyday living more affordable; passing a sustainable and responsible budget that invests in education, health care, and essential services – and asking the wealthiest few to pay their fair share in taxes so we can fund it; and protecting our democracy and communities from the chaos at the federal level. With that in mind, I wanted to look back at some of the major bills we passed last year:
Education funding – SB 5263 and SB 5192 were two major bills to increase funding for our schools, especially for special education services. It removes the cap on special education services and provides more than a billion dollars in new K-12 funding to help schools stay open and students get the support they need.
Rent stabilization – Washington is one of the nation’s most expensive rental markets, and HB 1217 is an important bill to protect renters from excessive hikes while still allowing increases to cover repairs and rising costs.
Affordable housing – I was proud to sponsor and pass two bills – SB 5148 and SB 5184 – that together will help lower the costs of building new housing by ensuring that our affordable housing laws are going into effect and creating more flexibility in minimum parking requirements.
Recycling reform – SB 5284 will modernize the state’s recycling program by creating a producer responsibility program in which manufacturers and brands come together to reduce unnecessary packaging and paper, fund statewide recycling services, and ensure that materials put in recycling bins will actually be recycled.
Gun safety – HB 1163 requires most people who purchase a gun to apply for a permit. Applicants must submit fingerprints and prove they completed a certified firearms safety training program within the last five years or else provide a valid exemption. All applicants undergo a robust background check. This legislation is about saving lives, supporting responsible gun ownership, and building safer communities across Washington. Twelve states have enacted permit-to-purchase laws, and the results are clear: they reduce gun-related deaths, curb gun trafficking, and improve law enforcement officer safety.
Medical debt – SB 5480 removes medical debt from credit score reporting in Washington, protecting people from financial harm after medical emergencies. A poor credit score can block access to housing, transportation, or employment. A study from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society found that 6 in 10 Washingtonians couldn’t afford an unexpected $500 medical bill, and nearly 1 in 3 live in a household with medical debt — even with insurance.
Right to repair – HB 1483 requires electronics manufactures to give independent repair providers and owners access to parts, tools, and repair information for their electronic devices. Consumers face high costs when repairing their digital electronics in part because manufacturers restrict access to repair parts, tools, and documentation. These restrictions push users to replace, rather than repair, otherwise fixable electronic devices, stifling small independent repair businesses and worsening our e-waste crisis.
Striking workers – SB 5041 authorizes up to six weeks of unemployment benefits for striking and locked-out workers in certain circumstances. This legislation will help level the playing field between employers and workers when negotiating contracts.
Access to behavioral health – HB 1432 strengthens Washington’s behavioral health parity law to make sure people can get the care they need covered under their insurance. I was proud to sponsor the Senate companion to this bill, it’s an issue I take very seriously.
Public safety funding – HB 2015 sets aside $100 million in state funding over the next two years to fund positions for local community police and public safety – including alternative response teams that are trained to help people in crisis and can be more effective and safer in many situations.
Obviously, these bills alone aren’t solving every problem in our communities – there’s still so much to do to build a better Washington where everyone is welcome, everyone can get a job and pay their bills, and everyone can get the support they need to live. But looking at this list, I’m proud of the work we’ve done – and will continue to do – to make this the best state in the nation.
SNAP benefits and food assistance
I’m closely tracking the impacts of the federal government shutdown and the standoff over extension of the enhanced federal tax credits that help people afford health insurance on the Health Benefit Exchange. More than 200,000 Washingtonians, and 6,850 people in Thurston County, receive these enhanced tax credits, and if not extended, people in Thurston County who buy their insurance on the Exchange will pay an average of $1,500 per year more in premiums.
I’m deeply concerned about this issue, and I spoke recently at a press conference on the capitol steps about the need to make sure these tax credits are extended so people can afford the insurance they need to keep their families well. You can watch my speech on TVW here.
One consequence of the shutdown is President Trump’s decision to withhold funding for the SNAP food assistance program. I know how important SNAP is. In the 2025 legislative session, we invested $93 million to strengthen food security and assistance programs, and a new order by Governor Ferguson is providing an additional $2.2 million per week for our local food banks while the shutdown is ongoing.
There is more good news – as of yesterday, judges have ordered the federal administration to continue providing SNAP benefits. I don’t yet know what will happen immediately and when benefits may resume or what legal proceedings may continue, but my hope is that this will ensure that any halt in food assistance will be short and that families will get the help they need as soon as possible. In the meantime, if you or people you know are on SNAP, know that any unspent benefits will not go away. Visit the link below to find access to food near you: https://agr.wa.gov/services/food-access/access-food-near-you
Thanks for reading, and feel free to share your thoughts and feedback any time at Jessica.Bateman@leg.wa.gov.
In service,
– Jess
