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2026 Legislative Session

The 2026 Legislative Session begins on January 12, 2026. The WFC Legislative Committee has established our Legislative Priorities for the 2026 session, which is included below.

New this year: You may view the bill tracker by clicking the link on the right. This bill tracker includes the bills that the Legislative Committee is currently watching. The tracker updates with the current activity, allowing you to view the bill’s progress through the legislative process, as well as upcoming hearings and other important details.

2026 Legislative Priorities

  • Local Revenue Protection: Support legislation to reform tax increment financing (TIF) laws to mitigate impacts to fire service organizations and protect sustainable revenue.
  • Timber: Seek to protect timber harvest revenue for districts participating in the program.
  • Local Property Tax: Support efforts to modify the property tax growth limit to reflect population growth and inflation, with a cap of 3%.
  • Municipal Agency Funding: Continue to evaluate funding and governance options for municipal fire departments to provide for more stable and sustainable funding options
  • EMS Levy Reform: Support legislation to allow a voter-approved EMS levy in jurisdictions where an existing levy in a small part of the district currently precludes imposition.
  • Procurement: Support improvements in optionality for procurement of apparatus and equipment.
  • LEOFF 1 Pensions: Protect LEOFF 1 pension obligations in case of merger or restatement.
  • GEMT: Continue supporting the GEMT program, focusing on protecting stable reimbursement rates and exploring opportunities for increased reimbursement rates for transfers to behavioral health centers and for treat-and-refer incidents.

  • WSRB: Continue efforts to review and update the Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau (WSRB) risk factors to better reflect modern fire science and community needs.
  • Wildfire: Support recommendations developed by the Wildfire Mitigation Workgroup and continue to work with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) and other stakeholders to ensure appropriate wildland fire risk assessments for improved properties, including consideration of local fire district assets and capabilities.

  • Continue coordinating with the SFMO and other stakeholders to ensure the success and viability of the Fire Service Policy Board, including identifying opportunities for implementation of additional recommendations from the Fire Service Delivery Workgroup.
  • Support staffing and resource needs for implementation of the NERIS system and ongoing support of the state mobilization program.
  • Work to protect existing funding to support core firefighter training, certification, and reimbursement programs.
  • Support funding for the WSP IT Modernization effort.

  • Support proposals that provide firefighters and paramedics with protection from obstruction and attack when performing official duties.
  • Continue supporting efforts to address first responder mental health needs.
  • Continue supporting data-driven expansion of presumptive disease coverage for firefighters and paramedics.
  • Support efforts to improve the safety of firefighting gear, including enhancing regulatory standards and promoting the use of PFAS-free turnout gear.
  • Support efforts to discourage tampering with public safety equipment and apparatus.

  • Support ongoing efforts to address hospital capacity, ER wait time and interfacility transport staffing issues.
  • Support proposals aiding co-responder programs, including training and integration with the 988 system and first response (CROA).
  • Support proposals providing funding and assistance for integrated response to individuals dealing with substance use disorder, including support for leave-behind Narcan and other prevention efforts.
  • Support efforts to reduce the reliance on emergency response to care facilities, including proper staffing and training for care facility employees.
  • Continue monitoring efforts regarding balance billing to ensure fair payment and reimbursement for ground ambulance transport.

  • Continue supporting full reimbursement to local departments for wildland and other mobilization deployments.
  • In conjunction with the SFMO, support efforts to fully staff and fully fund the All-Hazard Mobilization program to address growing workload management challenges and ensure prompt and full reimbursements for mobilization deployments.
  • Support efforts to fund DNR’s forest health and wildfire resilience program established in HB 1168 (2021).
  • Support continuing efforts with DNR and the SFMO to improve and expedite the process for approval of aerial assets in early wildfire attack.
  • Continue to work with stakeholders to identify unprotected lands throughout the state, and to identify strategies for ensuring protection for rangelands and other vulnerable land.

  • Preserve fire and life safety standards in new housing options that address the housing crisis and housing shortages.
  • Support the effective use and implementation of the Wildland Urban Interface Code.
  • Support code modifications and utility rate structures that make it affordable to install and maintain residential fire sprinklers.

  • Support efforts to expand presumptive cancer protections to volunteer firefighters.

  • Support, as appropriate, proposals important to other fire service stakeholders and partners, including the WSCFF, WSAFM, WFCA, WFFA, DNR, and WSFMO.
  • Support, as appropriate, efforts of local government coalition partners on issues of mutual interest, including public records reform, property tax reform, infrastructure investment, public safety reform, and efforts to address homelessness.

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Upcoming Meetings

There are no events assigned to the Legislative Committee.