Gig Harbor council eyes state bills: opposes HB 2489, supports ALPR limits and derelict-vessel fix; watches STEP housing and subdivision overhaul

City legislative staff briefed the Gig Harbor City Council on multiple pieces of Washington state legislation during the Jan. 29 study session and council members indicated preliminary positions on several bills.

HB 2489 (life‑sustaining activities / enforcement limits): Shelley (city legislative staff) explained the bill would prohibit cities from enforcing ordinances that ban life‑sustaining activities on public property unless "adequate alternative shelter" is locally available. Faith Smiley, the city’s Healthy Human Services program manager, told the council the bill’s definition and requirements are vague and the mandate is unfunded. "It is a major concern that this bill will require that we have shelter within city limits. There is not funding that is coming along with this required mandate," Smiley said. City staff recommended actively opposing HB 2489; the council indicated consensus to do so.

STEP housing (HB 2266 / SB 6069): Staff described companion bills intended to treat shelter, transitional and supportive housing like other residential uses and to limit local zoning barriers. The sponsor released a recent revision authorizing indoor emergency shelters where hotels are allowed and allowing limited administrative review and operational standards. Council members expressed concerns about loss of local control, proximity to services and schools, and the bill’s breadth; the council decided to watch for amendments and provide nuanced guidance rather than take an immediate position.

ALPR (automated license plate reader) bills (HB 2332 / SB 6002): The bills would restrict ALPR use — 21‑day data retention, forbid use for immigration enforcement, and limit searchable uses to felonies, missing persons, and stolen vehicles; the bills would also exempt ALPR data from public‑records disclosure. Police and staff said the bills provide statewide guardrails where Gig Harbor does not currently use the technology. The council indicated consensus to support the bills, with some members asking legislators to consider including gross misdemeanors as an allowable use in limited circumstances.

SB 6234 (grinder pumps): Staff and public‑works advisors warned that a bill preventing local prohibitions on grinder pumps could increase long‑term maintenance costs, create environmental/public‑health risks and shift unbudgeted liabilities to cities when homeowners’ associations fail to maintain systems. Council voiced opposition.

HB 2199 (derelict‑vessel disposal): Staff noted support from neighboring jurisdictions and recommended the city support the bill, which clarifies disposal procedures and updates the definition of derelict vessels; the council indicated support.

SB 56233 (subdivision statute overhaul): The bill proposes administrative processing for many subdivisions to accelerate approvals; staff cautioned that eliminating guaranteed public hearings could be perceived as diminishing public process. Council favored remaining neutral and monitoring amendments.

HB 24 (Spokane incinerator / CCA exemption): Staff explained the Spokane facility is the only Department of Ecology–certified incinerator in the western U.S. that Gig Harbor currently uses to destroy evidence (drugs, weapons), and that CCA costs could threaten its viability. The police chief urged support to avoid evidence‑destruction bottlenecks and operational disruption; the council indicated support.

Next steps: For bills with imminent committee action staff will continue monitoring and will bring refined recommendations and any suggested technical amendments to council. Where staff recommended positions, council expressed direction (opposition to HB 2489; support for ALPR guardrails and the derelict‑vessel and Spokane measures; watch for STEP housing and subdivision developments).