2026 Legislative Bill Tracker | Asian Pacific Island

legislative bill tracker

The 2026 legislative session will begin on Monday, January 12, 2026.
The annual AAPI Legislative Day will be on February 5, 2026.

Legislative & Budget Priorities

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.

Immigrant Worker Protection Act

This legislation would create stronger protections for immigrant workers by requiring 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.

Progressive Revenue

While our communities are already facing reductions in critical programs and services, our state 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 and working class families.

Solidarity Agenda

A&NH/PI Education in K-12

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.

DOC - ICE Pipeline

While there is no official bill, we would like to use this session to ask our legislators to put pressure on Governor Ferguson to use his executive power to stop the Department of Corrections from sharing information with ICE - a collaboration that disproportionately harms Southeast Asian communities who have already served their time but are paying double punishment due to their immigration status

Automatic License Plate Readers

The ACLU of Washington is leading on legislation to limit the usage of ALPRs and ensure accountability and transparency for how they are employed, especially with regard to data access for federal agencies.

WAISN Hotline Funding

Requesting support to increase hotline capacity given increased immigration enforcement activities.

Preclearance for WVRA

Mirroring undermined section of the national VRA which requires preclearance for jurisdictions with a documented history of voting rights violations.

VOICES Act

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

Voter Registration Challenges Bill

Empowering election officials to efficiently dismiss baseless voter registration challenges and provide fair opportunities for voters to respond.

Cumulative Risk Burden Pollution (CURB) Act

Statewide Energy Assistance: addresses energy burden and access to affordable, clean energy

HB 1903: Statewide Energy Assistance

Addresses energy burden and access to affordable, clean energy.

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*Plastics Reduction under a broader Clean Washington campaign and potentially a *6PPD bill given its impact on fish health. Our partners are also monitoring possible efforts around data center water use transparency, depending on how statewide environmental priorities develop. (*Note: These are priorities that are still in the development stage)

Supporting Massage Workers

MPOP has requested support for legislation to improve accessibility of licensing for massage workers so that they can work legally and with worker protections.

Medicaid Reimbursement Rate

Healthcare advocates are asking that the state government maintain current Medicaid reimbursement rates to avoid putting major strains on providers relying on Medicaid funding.