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Spokane council rejects motion to suspend rules and readopt 2023 Prop 1 camping language
Summary
On June 30, the Spokane City Council voted 3-2 against suspending the rules to immediately readopt the 2023 Proposition 1 camping ordinance language; council members debated whether to restore the voter-approved text now or pursue a broader ordinance rewrite.
The Spokane City Council voted 3-2 on June 30 against a motion to suspend the rules and immediately adopt language identical to Proposition 1, the 2023 camping ordinance approved by voters.
Supporters of the motion argued re-adopting Prop 1 verbatim would be the clearest, most responsive action to voters; opponents said the city needs a more comprehensive, public-driven ordinance rather than a short-term re-enactment.
Council member Bridal urged the council to “just adopt this language and then, and move on from there,” saying the change would reflect what “75% of Spokane wanted.” Bridal framed the proposal as a two-step process: restore Prop 1 now, then consider changes after broader outreach.
Council member McCluskey countered that simply putting Prop 1 back in place would not address enforcement limitations and the broader homelessness response. McCluskey said the council has been seeking “a more comprehensive approach” and argued the prior enforcement effort had been a “whack-a-mole” exercise that required a holistic solution rather than a restoration without public process.
Other council members raised procedural and policy concerns about adopting voter language without additional public context. One council member said they would vote no on the suspension, citing the need for more time for outreach and to resolve outstanding gaps beyond Prop 1.
The motion to suspend the rules and adopt the circulated amendment failed by voice and recorded as a 3-2 vote against suspension.
The discussion made clear the council may continue conversation at the next meeting; members noted the option to return to the issue with further amendments and outreach before final votes.
Background: “Prop 1” in this discussion refers to the 2023 camping ordinance approved by Spokane voters, which regulated outdoor camping and related conduct. On June 30, council members debated whether the council should immediately reinstate that voter-approved text or finalize a revised ordinance crafted through additional outreach and legislative drafting.
