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Bellingham council adopts 2026 state legislative agenda emphasizing housing, municipal court funding and Bellingham Bay cleanup
Summary
Council members approved a staff-drafted 2026 state legislative agenda outlining priorities on housing supply, vacant-building tools, capital funding for a municipal court and day shelter, preservation of Bellingham Bay cleanup funding, revenue flexibility, and transportation priorities; lobbyists outlined how and when the city may testify during the 60‑day session.
The Bellingham City Council unanimously approved the city’s 2026 state legislative agenda after a presentation by Deputy Administrator Janice Keller and the city’s Olympia lobbying team.
Keller introduced lobbyists Nick Federici and Luke Esser, who summarized the short 2026 legislative session and the state’s fiscal constraints. Federici said the city’s priorities are aligned with Association of Washington Cities goals and emphasized housing supply, protecting shared revenues, and pursuing capital funding for three local priorities: renovation of the former federal courthouse for Bellingham Municipal Court, funding for a day shelter, and preservation of Bellingham Bay cleanup (MTKA) grants.
The agenda also lists fiscal and regulatory asks: seeking local flexibility for funds earmarked for a 23‑hour crisis center with Whatcom County, advocating for removal of certain prescriptive lead requirements that dilute Department of Commerce grants (cited as affecting the library remodel), and pursuing transportation preservation (bridge and road maintenance), mitigation‑banking timeline improvements, and regulatory attention to emerging micromobility rules (e‑bikes and e‑cycles).
Council members asked how the city would coordinate testimony and mobilize local voices in Olympia. Luke Esser and Federici said the city’s working group will meet weekly during session and aim to provide at least a week’s notice when hearings relevant to city priorities are scheduled, and they encouraged both remote and in-person testimony depending on logistics.
Council Member Liiloquist moved to approve the legislative agenda; the motion was seconded by Council Member Hamill and passed unanimously. The city’s lobby team will work with the council‑staff working group during the 60‑day session to track bills and request testimony when needed.
