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legislative bill tracker

The 2026 legislative session began on Monday, January 12, 2026.
View APIC's 2026 Legislative Agenda


 

Important 2026 Session Dates:

  • February 4th: Policy Committee Cutoff

  • February 9th: Fiscal Committee Cutoff

  • February 17th: House of Origin Cutoff

  • February 25th: Policy Committee Cutoff - Opposite House

  • March 2nd: Fiscal Committee Cutoff - Opposite House

  • March 6th: Opposite House Cutoff

  • March 12th: Sine Die, Last day of session

Legislative & Budget Priorities
HB 2105/SB 5852: Immigrant Worker Protection Act

HB 2105:

House: Feb 13 - 2nd substitute bill substituted (APP 26). Third reading, passed​

Senate: Feb 20 - Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce. Majority; do pass. And refer to Ways & Means

Our legislature should take bold steps to create stronger protections for immigrant workers by supporting this bill that would require employers to notify their employees of a planned inspection of employment eligibility paperwork within 72 hours of federal notification. Provisions would also include restricting employers from sharing worker records with federal agencies, except if the agent provides either a subpoena or judicial warrant for the employee records.

HB 2046/SB 5797: Progressive Revenue

Did not pass

While our communities are already facing reductions in critical programs and services, WA is considering additional cuts to close the already wide budget deficit. Without new revenue, lawmakers will have to cut $5-7 billion from the state budget this legislative session. We encourage the legislature to look to progressive revenue sources such as a wealth tax on stocks, bonds, and other intangible financial assets as well as a millionaire’s income tax to ensure that we do not balance the budget on the backs of immigrant & working class families.

Maintaining Funding for Naturalization & LEP Pathways and Legal Defense Fund

We encourage the legislature to continue funding for essential programs that immigrants in our state rely on for safety, economic stability, and protection from a hostile, anti-immigrant federal administration. We request that the legislature support A&NH/PI and other immigrant communities by maintaining funding levels for naturalization services, Limited English Proficient pathways, and legal aid for low income immigrants.

Data Privacy and Quality of Care under the Apple Health Expansion

Currently, the Apple Health Expansion is providing health coverage to roughly 10,000 Washingtonians who would otherwise be eligible for Medicaid, but are excluded due to their immigration status. The legislature should preserve funding for the AHE and ensure that all available funds are used to enroll applicants as more than 20,000 are currently waitlisted for coverage. The legislature should also work with the Health Care Authority to ensure that only strictly required data is reported to the federal government to maximize privacy for Washingtonians accessing these services.

Capital Projects

In addition to our legislative priorities, APIC has always uplifted the need for investment in our community through capital projects. This year, we are asking for support on the following capital projects

The Sadako Renewal Project

Tsuru for Solidarity is requesting $150,000  to place a new statue of Sadako at the original site within the Seattle Peace Park.  In July 2024, the statue of Sadako Sasaki (a 12-year old Japanese victim of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima) was cut off at the ankles and stolen from the Seattle Peace Park adjacent to the University Bridge. A community coalition of organizations and individuals from the Japanese American community, peace community, faith community and many other individuals locally, nationally and internationally came together to hold a healing ceremony at the site and to express a strong sentiment to renew the spirit of peace, harmony, and world community. The City of Seattle has already budgeted $400,000 for the project, and the coalition is currently seeking the remaining $150,000 from the State Legislature to cover the costs of design, fabrication, installation, and maintenance of the new statue and renewed park. 

Khmer Community and Cultural Center

Khmer Community of Seattle King County (KCSKC) is seeking $6 million to build the first Khmer Community and Cultural Center in Seattle and Washington State at large. The center aims to be a cultural hub—empowering youth, providing elder services, and enhancing economic opportunities. It will foster community belonging and move Khmer communities closer to healing and liberation through cultural events, workshops, and educational programs.

IACS Kent Community Center

Indian American Community Services (IACS) is requesting $2 million to fill the remaining gap in funding for their community center. They will begin renovation of Phase I of the Community Center project in Kent, WA. In 2022, IACS purchased a 22,000 sq building, of which 12,000 sq ft is leased to a restaurant. The remaining 10,000 sq ft will be renovated into an inclusive, multigenerational community center serving people of all ages and backgrounds, with a focus on cultural connection, education, and essential support services. The project will be developed in two phases.

Solidarity Agenda

In addition to our legislative priorities, APIC supports and uplifts the following legislative and budget items as integral to the health, safety, and well-being of our communities 

HB 2332/SB 6002:
Driver Privacy Act – Common Sense ALPR Regulations

SB 6002:

Senate: Feb 4 - 1st substitute bill substituted (LAW 26). Floor amendments adopted. Third reading, passed

House: Feb 24 - Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary

With the expanded use of Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRS) by local police departments, there have been increasing concerns about the data privacy and surveillance of vulnerable community members. This legislation would limit the usage of ALPRS and ensure accountability and transparency for how they are employed, especially with regard to data access for federal agencies.

HB 2173/SB 5855:
Banning All Law Enforcement from Wearing Masks 

SB 5855:

Senate: Jan 28 - 1st substitute bill substituted (LAW 26). Rules suspended. Third reading, passed

House: Feb 23 - Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Community Safety

Being able to identify individual law enforcement officers is essential to holding officers accountable for their actions. This bill would require all law enforcement, including local, state, and federal agents, to have identification and ban them from wearing facial coverings while performing their duties.

HB 1903: Statewide Energy Assistance

HB 1903:

House: Feb 142nd substitute bill substituted (APP 26). Floor amendment(s) adopted. Third reading, passed.

Senate: Feb 24 - Scheduled for executive session in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology

This legislation would address inequitable energy burdens and access to affordable, clean energy across Washington State.

Voting Justice Bills:
HB 1710: Preclearance for WVRA

House: Feb 12 - 3rd substitute bill substituted (APP 26). Floor amendment(s) adopted. Third reading, passed

Senate Feb 24 - Scheduled for executive session in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections

This legislation would mirror the undermined section of the national Voter Registration Act (VRA) which requires preclearance for jurisdictions with a documented history of voting rights violations. 

HB 1916: Voter Registration Challenges Bill

House: Feb 10 - 1st substitute bill substituted (SGOV 25). Floor amendments adopted. Third reading passed

Senate: Feb 24 - Scheduled for executive session in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections 

This bill would empow election officials to efficiently dismiss baseless voter registration challenges and provide fair opportunities for voters to respond.

HB 2210: VOICES Act

Did not pass

The Washington VOICES Act will make sure that all communities can opt-in to Ranked-Choice Voting. It will also set important standards to ensure voters using RCV will enjoy the same high-quality, accessible voting experience that we are proud of in Washington.

PSSB 5574: A&NH/PI Education in K-12

Did not pass

The teaching of Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AA & NH/PI) History is a long-term preventative measure against anti-Asian and NH/PI bullying, hate, and violence, which has increased since the start of the 2020 pandemic. This legislation would require the integration of Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AA & NH/PI) history in Washington state social studies learning standards.

HB 1303/ SB 5380:
Cumulative Risk Burden Pollution Act

Did not pass

This legislation would have the Department of Ecology incorporate environmental justice into the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). This ensures that processes like environmental impact assessments properly consider adverse impacts to disproportionately impacted communities, and also consider mitigation methods for environmental impacts.

Ending the DOC to ICE Pipeline

The Department of Corrections (DOC) currently collaborates with federal immigration authorities by placing ICE detainers on incarcerated immigrants and notifying ICE upon their release. Though no legislation currently exists to address this practice, Governor Ferguson could use his executive authority to end DOC information-sharing with ICE – a collaboration that disproportionately harms Southeast Asian communities. These individuals face double punishment after serving their sentences, remaining vulnerable to deportation solely due to their immigration status.

Funding for the WAISN Deportation Defense Hotline

The WAISN Hotline provides access to life-saving information, connection to crucial vetted resources, and ensures that families in Washington have somewhere they can call in the face of rampant and unaccountable immigration enforcement that is increasingly violating civil and constitutional rights of all Washingtonians, targeting immigrants and citizens alike.

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