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MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for June 2026

Key Public Safety Laws from the 2026 Legislative Session

June 24, 2026  by  Harry Boesche
Category:  Law Enforcement ,  Recruitment and Hiring

The 2026 legislative session included several bills related to public safety, including prohibiting law enforcement officers from wearing certain facial coverings, amending qualifications for law enforcement personnel, and creating a court unification task force.

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Tax Increment Tools for Downtown Revitalization and Economic Development

June 22, 2026  by  Eric Lowell
Category:  Financing Economic Development ,  Downtown Revitalization Series

Tax increment financing tools can help cities, towns, counties, and ports pay for public improvements that spur local development. Agencies must be sure to follow the statutory requirements, including recent legislation requiring earlier notice for proposed increment areas.

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2026 Legislative Session Outcomes for Local Government Procurement

June 18, 2026  by  Josh Klika
Category:  Purchasing and Contracting ,  New Legislation and Regulations

Procurement-related bills from 2026 update the small works roster and add more exemptions from competitive bidding. Other bills address the misclassification of independent contractors on public works projects as well as new energy projects from consumer owned utilities.

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AGO Releases More Proposed PRA Model Rules Amendments – Another Chance to Comment!

June 17, 2026  by  MRSC Insight
Category:  Court Decisions and AGO Opinions ,  Public Records Act

Act now! In light of new and additional proposed changes from the AGO, Washington state and local public agencies have another chance to weigh-in on proposed amendments to the model rules that help agencies meet their responsibilities under the Public Records Act.

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Planning for Drought: Lessons from Washington Communities

June 10, 2026  by  Alicia Bones
Category:  Climate and Sustainability ,  Environmental Laws and Regulations ,  Emergency Management ,  Natural Resources

As Washington prepares to enter its fourth year of drought, what approaches have local communities taken to prepare for it, and what factors make some communities more susceptible to the impacts of drought?

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Flag Display: Requirements, Protocols, and More

June 8, 2026  by  MRSC Insight
Category:  Flag Display

There are no federal requirements to fly the U.S. flag, but state law requires cities, towns, and counties to fly it and the state flag on specific dates. Local jurisdictions may also adopt policies that reflect community values, particularly when it comes to commemorative flags.

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Couch Cushions or Redirecting Investment Interest? Finding New Ways to Bolster Your General Fund

June 3, 2026  by  Cheryl Grant
Category:  Fund Balance and Reserves ,  Investments

Sweeping interest, or moving interest earned from a specific fund into a general one, can give an agency more unrestricted resources. What are the restrictions or considerations an agency should take into account before sweeping interest?

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Personnel Law Updates from 2026 Legislative Session

June 1, 2026  by  Flannary Collins
Category:  Leave Policies ,  Personnel Policies ,  Recruitment and Hiring ,  Termination and Retirement

While the 2026 legislative session brought about changes to the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Program, it also banned noncompete agreements and employee microchipping and enacted protections for immigrant workers.

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