2026 Washington State Legislative Session is underway!
Published on January 20, 2026
The 2026 legislative session began last week, on January 12, in Olympia. This year is a short 60-day session that will conclude around March 12.
As we head into this year’s legislative session, the City of Renton is focused on advocating for state policies and investments that benefit the Renton community.
During the December 1 Renton City Council meeting, the city's Government Affairs Manager and lobbyist presented the city's 2026 priorities to the mayor and councilmembers. The city is prepared to advocate for the following key priorities:
- Indigent defense or public defense
- Transportation and Regional Connectivity
- Public safety
- Shared revenues
Cities like Renton are at the forefront of delivering essential services to our communities. Our 2026 legislative priorities reflect the importance that cities have on our state’s health.
Follow below for more details on the goals the city is advocating for.
Indigent defense
Indigent defense or public defense is legal representation that cities are required to offer defendants who can’t afford their own attorney.
Across Washington, cities are responsible for more than half of all criminal cases, yet they receive roughly 10% of the available state funding.
The city supports expanding state funding for local indigent defense services to meet existing and future needs. Expanded state investments will be critical for cities to provide this core service within our justice system.
Transportation and regional connectivity
Transportation and regional connectivity are key priorities for Renton. As our city continues to grow, we want to ensure Renton has the infrastructure it needs to remain a great place to live, work, play, and visit.
The city is advocating for existing funding already committed to WSDOT projects benefiting Renton are not further delayed.
When it comes to connectivity and transportation, the city strongly supports:
- Investments into regional trail connectivity grant programs and organizations.
- Exploring sustainable transportation revenues such as the Transportation Benefit Districts (TBDs) and Road Usage Charges (RUC).
- Infrastructure improvements to maximize the effectiveness of the Express Toll Lane System along I-405 and SR 167.
- The progression of projects that support the Stride BRT system in Renton.
- The WSDOT Local Program for bicycle/ pedestrian improvements and safe routes to school.
- Investments in local infrastructure for operations and maintenance of aging systems.
Public safety
Similar to previous years, public safety continues to be a top priority for the city.
Rooted in an accountability-centric approach, we support comprehensive approaches to safer communities. These public safety efforts should emphasize:
- Early intervention
- Upstream investments
- Community-based programs
- Behavioral health services
- Support for our law enforcement officers
The city supports the following public safety efforts:
- New and existing recruitment and retention programs for law enforcement officers focusing on officer wellness.
- Additional training resources are provided for law enforcement officers to equip them to serve the unique needs of their community.
- Expanding the statewide capacity of juvenile correctional facilities, behavioral health facilities, and community facilities.
- Restore state funding for Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) costs.
- Replacing the Criminal Justice Training Center (CJTC) facility.
- Additional prosecutorial and law enforcement resources to prevent and address juvenile crime.
- Revisions to statutes regarding juvenile possession of firearms.
- New and existing funding opportunities for housing assistance programs and behavioral health services for individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Increased investment in emergency and transitional housing, permanent shelter space, and outreach/triage options that also maintain a level of accountability.
- Enhanced funding for community-based behavioral health facilities.
- Upstream investments for youth mental and physical health services such as School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs), after-school programs, mentorship opportunities, recreation activities, and mental health workshops.
- Increased investments in programs and infrastructure for vulnerable youth experiencing complex mental health challenges and crises.
- Funding for the Washington State Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance (ORIA).
Shared revenues
As the state legislature navigates difficult budgetary challenges, the city will advocate for the continuation and preservation of historical revenue-sharing partnerships between cities and the state.
94% of gross state product is generated in cities. Cities also help generate $12.5 billion in sales tax sent to the state’s general fund. These long-standing revenue sharing partnerships demonstrate the important role cities play in generating economic activity in our state.
To ensure high-quality services for our community can be met, the city supports the following initiatives to continue these revenues that provide stability for city budgets:
- Preservation of these resources, such as liquor revenues and criminal justice assistance funds.
- Legislation to institute a cap that is based on inflationary indexes and population growth, up to three-percent.
- Protect and identify new opportunities for “state-shared” revenue and other revenue options.
- Direct funding to help offset the costs of police reform and public safety bills enacted by the Legislature.
- Technical fixes to address implementation issues related to police reforms.
Other focus points
The city is focusing on the above four key priorities, but continuing to monitor and support efforts involving:
- Housing and economic development
- Environmental sustainability
- Local government
- Parks, Recreation, & Trail Connectivity
Renton Hill Day
Renton Hill Day is a full day visit to Olympia with the city's Government Affairs Manager, Mayor Armondo Pavone, and city councilmembers. During the visit, the group participates in meetings with various legislators to help promote and discuss Renton's priorities for the current session.
Mayor Armondo Pavone, Council President Ruth Pérez, President Pro-Tem Ryan McIrvin, Councilmember James Alberson, Councilmember Ed Prince, Councilmember Carmen Rivera, and Councilmember Kim-Khánh Văn were in Olympia on Tuesday, January 20 and met with nine state legislators.
Stay connected this session on updates and actions taken in Olympia
Throughout the session, the city will share updates on our website and social channels, highlighting any bills that we want to bring to the attention of residents. After the session is done, the city’s Government Affairs Manager and lobbyist will present the outcome from the session to Renton City Council.
Hear from our Government Affairs Manager, Eric Perry, on these key priorities and follow the project webpage at rentonwa.gov/legislativeagenda.