Reflecting on the 2026 Legislative Session

Dear friends and neighbors, 

The 2026 legislative session has officially come to a close. Like every session, it was challenging, but it was also deeply inspiring. I am proud of the work we accomplished together, and I want to take a moment to share some of the victories for families, workers and communities across Washington. 

The Millionaires Tax: Funding Washington’s Future 

This session, we passed a historic measure to make our tax system fairer. The Millionaires Tax (SB 6346) ensures that the wealthiest Washingtonians contribute a little more so we can invest in the programs that all of us rely on — our schools, child care, health care and other essential services. At the same time, it provides relief for working families and small businesses. Here are some of the key provisions: 

• It applies only to annual earnings over $1 million — less than 1% of Washingtonians will pay it. 
• Revenue will fund programs that touch all of our lives: 
  • Free breakfast and lunch for all public school children 
  • Expanding the Working Families Tax Credit to 460,000 more households 
  • Early learning programs through the Fair Start for Kids Act 
  • Eliminating sales tax on diapers, personal care products and essential over-the-counter medicines 
• This tax also provides the largest small-business tax break in state history, helping 70% of Washington businesses thrive while protecting homeowners and long-term capital gains. 
• When it takes effect in 2028, it will mark a milestone in creating a more equitable state — one that supports families, children and working people. 

A Clean Energy Future 

This session, I was proud to sponsor Senate Bill 6355, which establishes the Washington Electric Transmission Authority — a major step forward in modernizing our state’s energy system. Washington has ambitious clean energy goals, but our transmission infrastructure has been holding us back. This bill addresses that challenge head-on. 

The authority will help expand and upgrade our electric transmission system, bringing more clean energy online, supporting community microgrids and connecting renewable resources to the grid efficiently and safely. It will prioritize partnerships with utilities, local communities and tribes to ensure projects are equitable, protect natural and cultural resources, and create good-paying jobs. 

This bill reflects my commitment to building a cleaner, more resilient energy future for Washingtonians while balancing environmental stewardship, economic growth and community involvement. Passing this legislation was one of the highlights of the session, and it is a concrete step toward a stronger, greener Washington for generations to come.  

Making Life More Affordable 

We know life is expensive, and every dollar counts. That is why we took steps to ease costs for families and seniors: 

• Energy Assistance for Low-Income Households (HB 1903): Helps families pay their energy bills. 
• Property Tax Relief (HB 6162): Expands protections for seniors, people living with disabilities and veterans with disabilities — helping 30,000 more Washingtonians keep more of their hard-earned money. 

Protecting Washingtonians from Federal Overreach 

This session, we also stood up for our state and our communities in the face of federal overreach: 

• Banning Masked Federal Enforcement (SB 5855): Stops federal agents, including ICE, from wearing masks designed to intimidate and terrify immigrant communities. 
• Protecting Voter Privacy (SB 5892): Keeps Washingtonians’ voter information private and secure. 
• Immigrant Worker Protections (HB 2105): Strengthens safeguards to ensure fair treatment and due process for Washington’s immigrant workforce. 

A Home for Everyone 

Housing continues to be one of the most urgent challenges families face. This year, we worked to make it easier for people to find safe, affordable homes: 

• Zoning Reforms (SB 6026): Opens more land for apartments and condos. 
• Flood Risk Transparency (SB 6237): Ensures renters receive the same flood-risk warnings as homebuyers. 
• Streamlined Housing Permitting (HB 2418): Reduces bureaucratic delays so housing can be built faster. 

Safe and Secure Communities 

Everyone deserves to feel safe where they live, work and raise their families. We strengthened protections while keeping civil liberties in mind: 

• Prohibiting Law Enforcement Impersonation (HB 2165): Stops anyone from pretending to be police or ICE agents. 
• Regulating License Plate Surveillance (SB 6002): Gives law enforcement tools to solve serious crimes while protecting privacy. 
• Cracking Down on AI-Generated Child Pornography (SB 5105): Addresses emerging digital threats and protects children. 

A Healthy Washington 

Health care was another priority this session. We focused on protecting access to lifesaving services and ensuring every Washingtonian can get the care they need: 

• Protecting Safety Net Providers (SB 5981): Keeps hospitals and clinics serving vulnerable populations strong and accessible. 
• Evidence-Based Medical Care (HB 2242): Guarantees access to vaccines and other essential services based on science. 
• Expanding Abortion Access: Expands access to mifepristone — essential for both medication abortions and miscarriage care (SB 5917) — and establishes permanent funding for abortion clinics, including Planned Parenthood (SB 6182). 

Thank You 

Thank you for the trust you place in me to represent our community. Your emails, phone calls, conversations at community events and personal stories shape the work I do every day. I carry those voices with me when I advocate for policies that make Washington more affordable, more just and more welcoming for everyone. 

While the legislative session may be over, my work for our district continues. In the weeks ahead, I will share more about the final state budget and other important accomplishments from this year’s session. 

It is truly an honor to serve you. 

With gratitude, 

Sen. Victoria Hunt