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Dear Neighbor,

The 2026 legislative session is underway, and the next 60 days will move quickly. Even in a short session, the choices made in Olympia will shape the direction of our state long after lawmakers adjourn.

This session will be about more than individual bills. It will be about priorities. Families and businesses across Washington are already navigating higher costs, economic uncertainty, and real pressure on household budgets. Against that reality, the Legislature will be debating policies that affect affordability, public safety, government accountability, and trust in the systems people rely on every day.

The broader context matters. It’s why I believe it’s important not just to tell you what’s being proposed, but why it matters and how you can be involved in shaping the outcomes.

I’ve also recorded a short Week 1 Recap video sharing what I’m seeing in the first week of the session and what to expect as the days and weeks unfold. I encourage you to watch and share it. You can click on the photo below to view, or click here. Go Hawks!

CALL TO ACTION – Have a voice in a bill that affects our drinking water

One of the bills I’ve introduced this session directly affects families right here in Lewis County, and your voice can make a real difference as it is considered by the Legislature.

House Bill 2343 is about protecting drinking water and holding government to the same environmental standards required of private citizens. In the Fords Prairie area, elevated nitrate levels have been detected in private wells, raising serious concerns for families who rely on groundwater for drinking water. Investigations confirmed that manure from a state-operated game farm is one of several contributing sources.

Under current law, publicly operated facilities are not explicitly required to meet the same groundwater and manure-management standards as private agricultural operations. My bill closes that loophole. It requires publicly owned or operated game farms to meet the same groundwater protections, monitoring, and accountability standards already expected of private farms because the government should be held to the same rules it enforces.

My bill will receive a public hearing in the House Environment and Energy Committee at 8:00 a.m. on January 22, and I encourage you to participate in the process.

You can make your voice heard by:

When you share your experiences and concerns, it helps ensure policy decisions reflect real-world impacts on families, public health, and our local government.

A supplemental budget year – with higher stakes

This is a supplemental budget session, which traditionally means modest, targeted adjustments to the state’s existing budgets. It should be a time for discipline—using updated revenue forecasts to address true needs, not to grow government or expand programs beyond what taxpayers can sustain.

Despite that, conversations are already underway about new taxes, including proposals for a state income tax branded as a “millionaires tax.” Washingtonians have seen this playbook before. Once a new tax structure is created, it rarely stays limited to its original promise. These discussions are also happening just one year after the largest tax increase in state history was enacted, making affordability a front-and-center issue for families, workers, and small businesses.

As House Republican Caucus Chair, I’m focused on ensuring the Legislature keeps affordability and accountability at the forefront—not just rhetoric, but in the decisions we make.

A better path forward: Affordability without new taxes

House Republicans have put forward an affordability-first budget framework that shows it is possible to fund essential services, meet our obligations, and respond to real needs without raising taxes. This approach emphasizes fiscal discipline, prioritizing core services, and making thoughtful, transparent decisions about how taxpayer dollars are spent.

Affordability isn’t abstract. It’s what families feel every time they pay rent, buy groceries, fill their gas tank, or try to plan for the future. Asking people to shoulder more costs without first fixing how government spends existing resources is the wrong approach.

This no-new-taxes framework reflects a basic principle: government should live within its means, just as families and businesses it serves do.

Additional legislation I’m working on this session – and why it matters

Alongside budget debates, I’m working on legislation rooted in issues I hear about directly from constituents across Southwest Washington.

House Bill 2336: Transparency and fairness in workers’ compensation

When someone is injured on the job, the workers’ compensation system should help them recover, not create confusion or conflict. Muy bill improves transparency in independent medical exams by allowing injured workers to record exams using a secure, state-approved third-party platform. This creates an accurate record, protects patient privacy, and reduces disputes that can delay care and resolution.

My bill is about restoring trust in a system people rely on during some of their most difficult moments.

Read more in my press release: Rep. Peter Abbarno proposes and supports reforms focused on fairness, transparency, and access to care in Washington’s workers’ compensation system

House Bill 2343: Protecting drinking water and holding government to the same standards

Clean, safe drinking water is not optional. In Lewis County, elevated nitrate levels in private wells exposed a regulatory gap that allowed publicly operated game farms to avoid groundwater standards required of private operations. My bill closes that loophole.

My bill ensures state-run facilities meet the same manure-management and groundwater protection standards as private farms—strengthening accountability, protecting public health, and reinforcing the idea that government should model the behavior it expects from others.

House Bill 2430: Accountability in the justice system, and support for crime victims

Court orders should mean something—especially when they are designed to support crime victims and fund victim services. My bill strengthens enforcement of court-ordered obligations while preserving protections for individuals who truly lack the ability to pay.

My bill draws a clear distinction between hardship and willful noncompliance, reinforcing accountability while ensuring fairness. It’s about standing up for victims and restoring confidence that our justice system enforces its own decisions.

House Bill 2574: Election clarity and integrity for local voters

Elections should be clear, fair, and free from unnecessary confusion for voters. My bill addresses a rare but important situation by clarifying how ballots are handled when a candidate for a nonpartisan local office passes away before an election.

My bill provides clear direction for election officials, protects the integrity of the ballot, and ensures voters are not placed in an uncertain or confusing position. It’s about maintaining trust in our election process and ensuring the rules are clear, consistent, and respectful of voters and communities.

Stay involved in the legislative process

Your involvement matters. One of the most effective ways to influence legislation is through the committee process, where bills are heard, amended, and often decided. When people share their experiences and perspectives, it helps ensure policy decisions are grounded in real-world impacts.

If you want to engage, here are a few ways to get started:

I’ve also created the video to help guide you in the best ways to stay involved and make a difference. Click on the photo below to view, or click here.

Stay connected

Hearing from you matters to me. Your questions, concerns, and ideas help shape the work I do in Olympia, and I welcome your input at any time. My office is always available, and my contact information is included below.

You might also find these resources helpful.

Thank you for staying engaged and involved in your state government!

Sincerely,


Peter Abbarno

State Representative Peter Abbarno, 20th Legislative District
RepresentativePeterAbbarno.com
425B Legislative Building | P.O. Box 40600 | Olympia, WA 98504-0600
peter.abbarno@leg.wa.gov
(360) 786-7896 | Toll-free: (800) 562-6000