skip navigation
MRSC logo

Have a Research Question?

Ask MRSC

Have a Research Question?

Ask MRSC

MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for July 2025

2026 Budget Suggestions Is Here!

July 30, 2025  by  Eric Lowell
Category:  MRSC News and Updates ,  Budgets and Budgeting

Do you need estimated state shared revenue for 2026? How about information on 2025 legislation impacting local government taxes? It's all available in Budget Suggestions, the tool that's been helping Washington local governments plan their budgets since 1943.

Read more

2025 Legislative Updates to the Real Estate Excise Tax Program

July 28, 2025  by  Cheryl Grant
Category:  Revenues ,  New Legislation and Regulations

The real estate excise tax (REET) program was modified by recent legislation, giving cities, towns, and counties more flexibility in how locally generated REET funding can be used.

Read more

2025 Housing-Related Legislative Outcomes

July 23, 2025  by  Steve Butler
Category:  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Development Regulations and Zoning ,  Housing ,  New Legislation and Regulations

The 2025 state legislative session included bills that encourage the development of more housing as well as the preservation of existing affordable housing, generally by building on legislation from prior sessions. 

Read more

2025 New Legislation Impacting Employment-Related Public Records

July 21, 2025  by  Sarah Doar
Category:  Administration and Management ,  Public Records Act ,  New Legislation and Regulations

Two new public records-related bills clarify the process for employee access to their own employment records and add exemptions to protect employee-identifying information in records related to investigations of unfair employment discrimination and harassment.

Read more

More Process and Proof: 2025 Legislative Changes to Civil Asset Forfeiture Procedures

July 16, 2025  by  Harry Boesche
Category:  Law Enforcement ,  New Legislation and Regulations

New in 2025, HB 1440 has made changes to civil asset forfeiture procedures impacting burden of proof, hearing request deadlines and removal procedures, consolidation of procedures, and agency reporting requirements, among other things.

Read more

2025 Legislative Session Outcomes for Procurement

July 14, 2025  by  Josh Klika
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting ,  New Legislation and Regulations

New in 2025 are five bills that will broadly impact local government procurement in areas related to bidder responsibility, subcontractor requirements, prevailing wages, and more.

Read more

Changing Course: Using Robert’s Rules to Alter a Prior Action

July 9, 2025  by  Ann G. Macfarlane
Category:  Guest Author ,  Legislative Body

When and how can a governing body change course on a prior action? Robert's Rules of Order offers governing bodies options for changing a previous motion or decision. Elected officials should understand these options and how to use them correctly.

Read more

2025 Legislation that Advances Sustainability in Washington Communities

July 7, 2025  by  Lisa Pool
Category:  Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management ,  Cycling and Walking ,  Administration ,  Climate and Sustainability ,  Parking ,  Environmental Laws and Regulations ,  Streets and Sidewalks ,  Housing ,  Utilities ,  New Legislation and Regulations

This year's state legislative session passed bills addressing sustainability and climate action, updating the state's Clean Buildings Performance Standard, enacting extended producer responsibility, and encouraging the development of shared streets.

Read more