The 2026 Washington state legislative session began on January 12. While it’s a short, 60-day session, we’ve got an action-packed agenda based on several priorities that will help improve the work and lives of PROTEC17 members and their families.

Public Health & Local Government Flexibility 

House Bill (HB) 1870 has been introduced alongside it’s companion bill in the Senate (SB 5709) to provide a practical, locally-driven solution for public health funding by allowing counties greater flexibility in how clinic funding is structured and sustained. This flexibility enables counties to better align resources with on-the-ground needs without requiring new state appropriations.

As a union representing public health workers across the state, PROTEC17 supports HB 1870/SB5709 because is aims to strengthen the long-term stability of county public health clinics that serve as a safety net for vulnerable populations, while also protecting frontline public health workers to ensure there is continuity of care amid workforce shortages and budget volatility. This bill will also improve counties’ ability to respond quickly to emerging public health threats and community health priorities, reducing the reliance on emergency or short-term funding mechanisms that undermine service planning and retention. 

Investing in flexible, sustainable public health funding is both fiscally responsible and essential to protecting community health. This bill ensures counties can maintain strong public health systems while safeguarding the professional workforce that delivers these critical services.

Progressive Revenue to Protect Essential Services

Washington faces ongoing budget challenges that threaten essential services and the public workforce. PROTEC17 supports progressive revenue options, including a millionaire tax, to protect essential public services and public sector jobs from service cuts and layoffs. By ensuring that the wealthiest Washingtonians contribute fairly, we can secure stable, long-term funding for state and local government programs.

Technology & Worker Protections

Artificial intelligence (AI) is being introduced in government operations across the State with the potential to reshape how public sector services are delevered. Workers should have a voice in how these tools are implemented.

PROTEC17 supports HB 1622/SB5422 to make AI deployment a mandatory subject of collective bargaining when it affects employment. This will support us in protecting jobs, working conditions, and professional discretion, while promoting responsible and transparent use of emerging technologies. 

Paid Family & Medical Leave

Washington state’s Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) program is one of the most successful programs of its kind in the nation. PROTEC17 supports lawmakers to protect the long-term sustainability of PFML, reject rollbacks that would reduce access or benefits, and preserve the stability that PFML provides for both workers and employers. 

Housing Affordability & Workforce Stability

The housing crisis directly impacts workforce recruitment, retention, and economic stability. HB 1687 is a pro-housing action that can be taken this session without requiring new state funding. 

PROTEC17 supports HB 1687 to add social housing as a qualifying use under the Housing Cooperation Law, allowing flexibility from restrictive zoning and building codes, which will enable state and local governments to support the siting, development, and long-term maintenance of social housing. Through targeted, project-specific regulatory flexibility, social housing can lower development costs, while expanding permanently affordable housing across Washington – particularly as federal affordable housing funding faces deep cuts. 

Transportation Funding 

While the legislature passed a robust Transportation package last session, we will continue to monitor and assess transportation funding bills that commit to increased funding to preserve and maintain the State’s infrastructure assets and to complete federally-mandated fish passage work, while at the same time balancing the need to direct investments toward completing new construction projects throughout the State.