MRSC Insight Blog

Posts for New Legislation and Regulations

2022 Court Legislation Impacting Local Governments

September 19, 2022 by Sarah Doar
Category: Courts and Criminal Justice System , New Legislation and Regulations

A few bills from the 2022 Regular Legislative Session deal with courts in a manner that will impact local governments, including giving courts more flexibility to not impose certain legal financial obligations or to waive those obligations.

New Legislation, Guidance Targets a Green Energy Future in Washington

August 22, 2022 by Leah LaCivita
Category: Climate Change , Energy Resources and Conservation , New Legislation and Regulations

In a push to carbon neutrality, Washington State agencies and the legislature have put in place laws and mandates designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in buildings, invest in transportation alternatives, reduce waste, and expedite the approval of green energy projects.

Closed Captioning: A Language Access Tool

August 16, 2022 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Inclusive Communities , New Legislation and Regulations

SB 5027, which passed during the 2021 legislative session, requires closed captioning be used on televisions in public places, including in local government-owned facilities, when the technology is available.

2023 Budget Suggestions is Here

August 1, 2022 by Eric Lowell
Category: Budgets and Budgeting , New Legislation and Regulations

With legislative updates, state shared revenue projections, a preview of the implicit price deflator, and other budgetary and economic information, MRSC’s 2023 Budget Suggestions can help cities and counties develop their budgets for the coming year.

2022 Growth Management Act-Related Bills

June 30, 2022 by Lisa Pool
Category: Comprehensive Planning-Growth Management , Environmental Policy and Management , Housing , Rural Uses , New Legislation and Regulations

New legislation related to the Growth Management Act (GMA) will expand tribal participation, limit appeals for actions to increase housing supply, change periodic update timelines, provide additional options for limited areas of more intense rural development (LAMIRDs), and more.

2022 Legislative Updates to Personnel Laws — Salary and Leave

June 27, 2022 by Sarah Doar
Category: Compensation , Leave Policies , New Legislation and Regulations

New legislation requires many employers to include wage and benefit information in all job postings and makes changes to the state's Paid Family and Medical Leave program.

2022 Legislation About Public Safety

June 13, 2022 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Law Enforcement , New Legislation and Regulations

Among other items, 2022 legislation related to public safety clarifies use-of-force provisions for law enforcement and makes slight changes to what could be considered military equipment.

HB 1329: Answers to Your OPMA Questions

May 19, 2022 by Steve Gross
Category: Open Public Meetings Act , New Legislation and Regulations

MRSC has gotten a lot of questions from local governments about HB 1329 and how it impacts remote public meetings, public comment, adjournment, and more. This blog addresses some common concerns.

Agencies Relate Successes, Challenges to VMT Reduction

May 16, 2022 by Alon Bassok
Category: Guest Author , Climate Change , Transportation and Land Use , New Legislation and Regulations

Across the state, local governments have been looking at how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing vehicle miles traveled in their communities. This blog looks at some successful strategies and common challenges.

2022 Legislation Impacting Public Works Contracting

April 28, 2022 by Josh Klika
Category: Purchasing and Contracting , New Legislation and Regulations

SB 5693 includes funding for a new partnership between MRSC and the Washington Procurement Technical Assistance Center to bring expanded training, outreach, and technical assistance on public works contracting for Washington local governments.

The OPMA Gets an Update from the Legislature

March 24, 2022 by Flannary Collins
Category: Open Public Meetings Act , New Legislation and Regulations

The 2022 legislative session made changes to the Open Public Meetings Act, some of which take effect immediately and others not until June. This blog looks at new requirements about physical location, special meeting notice, and public comment and clarifies the effective dates.

State Puts WA Cares on Hold for Now

February 1, 2022 by Flannary Collins
Category: Compensation , New Legislation and Regulations

With new legislation, the WA Cares long-term care insurance program (and the premiums employers were to collect from employees) has been put on hold. This blog looks at the steps local government employers should take at this time.

New Laws About Public Safety

November 22, 2021 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Law Enforcement , New Legislation and Regulations

The 2021 Regular Legislative Session included several bills that impacted local law enforcement agencies, and this blog offers an overview of some of the more complex bills.

New Program Supports Transition To Cleaner Vehicle Fleets

November 15, 2021 by Melinda Spencer
Category: Climate Change , Energy Resources and Conservation , New Legislation and Regulations

Local governments wanting to switch to cleaner, zero-emissions car fleets now have a new resource to consult, the Green Transportation Program.

Local Governments Now Required to Have Data-Sharing Agreements

October 21, 2021 by Eric Lowell
Category: Cybersecurity , New Legislation and Regulations

Local governments will share data with other agencies for a variety of reasons. ESSB 5432 now requires agencies to have data-sharing agreements for highly sensitive data, such as HIPAA information or any information that is protected from release/disclosure by law.

More Climate-Related Legislation for 2021

October 14, 2021 by Leah LaCivita
Category: Climate Change , New Legislation and Regulations

The 2021 legislative session produced several bills on issues related to the changing climate. This blog discusses a few, including bills that focus on reducing pollution statewide, encouraging alternative fuel use, and promoting greener commuting options.

An Update on the Long-Term Care Trust Act

September 20, 2021 by Flannary Collins
Category: Compensation , New Legislation and Regulations

As of January 2022, employees will begin paying into the state's long-term care insurance benefit, but local governments still have a lot of questions, such as how to handle premiums and program eligibility.

Tax Increment Financing Now Available to Some Washington Local Governments

September 16, 2021 by Eric Lowell
Category: Finance , Public Works Finance , New Legislation and Regulations

In an effort to help local governments spur economic development in stagnant communities, the legislature passed HB 1189 early this year, which authorizes the use of tax increment financing for cities, towns, counties, and port districts.

2021 Climate-Related Legislative Outcomes

September 10, 2021 by Leah LaCivita
Category: Climate Change , New Legislation and Regulations

As Washington State looks to become carbon neutral by 2050, the 2021 legislative session produced several bills that will facilitate the state's efforts.

2021 Housing and Planning-Related Legislative Outcomes

August 16, 2021 by Lisa Pool
Category: Housing , Impact Fees , Homelessness , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog post summarizes several housing and planning-related bills that were passed during the 2021 legislative session.

On-Road ATV Use Broadened Slightly In 2021

August 12, 2021 by MRSC Insight
Category: Traffic Regulation and Enforcement , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog offers an update on the use and regulation of ATVs on public roads, including an overview of two bills from 2021 impacting ATV use and licensure.

Legislation Aimed at Counties Impacts Coroners, Operational Continuity

August 9, 2021 by Steve Gross
Category: Administrative and Elected Officials-County , Emergency Management , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog offers an overview of two recent bills that affect county officers: ESHB 1326 and EHB 1271.

Emergency Rule Protects Outdoor Workers from Wildfire Smoke

August 5, 2021 by Leah LaCivita
Category: Fire Protection , Operating Policies , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog provides an overview of a new rule meant to protect workers from the harms of excessive exposure to wildfire smoke.

Legislative Changes in 2021 for Public Works Contracting

July 22, 2021 by Judy Isaac
Category: Purchasing and Contracting , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog covers several new laws and amendments made to existing laws that relate to public works contracting.

State Legislature Expands Municipal Authority to Provide Broadband, but to What Extent?

July 19, 2021 by Oskar Rey
Category: Telecommunications , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog provides an overview of recent legislation meant to expand the availability of municipally supplied broadband in Washington.

An Overview of New Personnel-Related Bills Adopted in the 2021 Regular Legislative Session

July 12, 2021 by Flannary Collins
Category: Personnel Policies , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog provides an overview of leave-related bills as well as a new state holiday passed during the 2021 regular legislative session.

2021: New Election Laws

July 8, 2021 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Elections , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog summarizes five new laws relating to elections from the 2021 legislative session.

Changing Your Zoning Code to Accommodate Housing and Shelters for the Homeless

June 29, 2021 by Steve Butler
Category: Development Regulations and Zoning , Homelessness , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog provides and overview and guidance regarding E2SHB 1220, which encourages local governments to take active steps to accommodate transitional housing, emergency shelters, and similar facilities via zoning and regulatory updates.

Historic Bill Focuses on Wildfire Prevention, Forest Reclamation

June 17, 2021 by Leah LaCivita
Category: Emergency Management , Forests and Trees , Fire Protection , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog looks at 2SHB 1168, which will increase spending on wildland fire prevention and response activities by $125 million over the next two years and up to $328 million by 2027.

Recent Developments in Washington Public Records — June 2021

June 14, 2021 by Sarah Doar
Category: Court Decisions and AGO Opinions , Public Records Act , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog reviews recent developments in the law that impacts the disclosure of public records.

Social Equity in Cannabis Program

December 7, 2020 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Cannabis Regulation , Inclusive Communities , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog post offers an overview of E2SHB 2870, 2020 legislation creating a social equity in cannabis program for Washington State.

Washington Enacts Statewide Plastic Bag Ban

August 27, 2020 by Aly Jones
Category: Environmental Policy and Management , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog post provides an overview of ESSB 5323, which bans Washington-based retail establishments from providing single-use, plastic carryout bags.

2020 Legislative Update — The Big List

July 21, 2020 by Steve Gross
Category: New Legislation and Regulations

MRSC has compiled a list of new legislation from the recent 2020 Regular Session, with special attention paid to those bills that impact Washington local governments.

2020 Legislative Update on Firearms Regulations

June 29, 2020 by Steve Gross
Category: Licensing and Regulation , New Legislation and Regulations

This post summarizes recent legislation related to firearms regulation in Washington State.

2020 Legislative Outcomes for Planning and Land Use-Related Issues

June 25, 2020 by Steve Butler
Category: Land Use Administration , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog post summarizes major planning/land use-related bills that were passed during the 2020 Washington State legislative session.

New Regulations for the Use of Facial Recognition Technology

June 22, 2020 by Flannary Collins
Category: Administrative and Elected Officials , Administrative and Elected Officials-County , New Legislation and Regulations

The purpose of this blog post is to highlight the requirements in ESSB 6280, Washington State's new law regulating the use of facial technology software.

Elections – What’s New in 2020

June 18, 2020 by Linda Gallagher
Category: Elections , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog post looks at election-related legislation passed during the Washington State Legislature's 2020 Regular Session.

2020 Legislative Outcomes for Procurement and Contracting

June 15, 2020 by Judy Isaac
Category: Purchasing and Contracting , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog post provides an overview of several bills from the 2020 legislative session that impact local government purchasing and contracting.

New Legislation Expands Washington’s Anti-Discrimination Law

June 11, 2020 by Sarah Doar
Category: Recruitment and Hiring , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog post reviews new laws, passed during the 2020 legislative session, that expand the state's anti-discrimination law to prohibit racial discrimination on the basis of hair and discrimination on the basis of citizenship status.

New Privacy in Public Employment

June 4, 2020 by Sarah Doar
Category: Public Records Act , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog post reviews SSHB 1888, which creates new public records exemptions for certain information in personnel and public employment records and goes into effect on June 11.

New Legislation on Temporary Homeless Encampments

May 26, 2020 by Oskar Rey
Category: Homelessness , New Legislation and Regulations

ESHB 1754 takes effect on June 11, 2020, and imposes additional conditions on cities and counties when regulating religious organizations hosting the homeless.

Long-Term Care Trust Act Brings Services and Support to Washington Residents

September 27, 2019 by Paul Sullivan
Category: Compensation , New Legislation and Regulations

The newly created Long-Term Care Trust Act will offer an employee-financed program to provide payment or partial payment for long-term services and support to qualified Washington residents who have paid into the program and need assistance.

Preparing for and Responding to Emergencies: 2019 Legislation

September 26, 2019 by Sarah Doar
Category: Emergency Management , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog post looks at SB 5514, HB 1147, and SB 5012, three pieces of recent legislation that address how local governments and law enforcement should respond during active emergencies.

Food Waste Reduction and Sustainable Recycling: New Legislation

September 19, 2019 by Jill Dvorkin
Category: Utilities , New Legislation and Regulations

Two recent pieces of legislation, E2SHB 1114 and ESSHB 1543, are aimed at reducing food waste and creating support for long-term, sustainable recycling programs across the state.

Scooter Legislation Passes, Sets Stage for Statewide Expansion

August 19, 2019 by Leah LaCivita
Category: Cycling and Walking , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog post looks at ESHB 1772, which amended state regulations regarding “motorized foot scooters,” as well as the status of pilot and established electronic scooter share programs in Washington.

2019 Legislative Outcomes for Procurement and Contracting - Part 3: SHB 1295

August 6, 2019 by Judy Isaac
Category: Purchasing and Contracting , New Legislation and Regulations

As part of a series on 2019 legislation that impacts municipal contracting and procurement, this blog post provides an overview of SHB 1295, which makes procedural revisions to the alternate public works contracting methods of Design Build and Job-Order Contracting.

HB 1696: Updating Washington’s Equal Pay and Opportunities Act

August 5, 2019 by Summit Law Group
Category: Guest Author , Compensation , New Legislation and Regulations

HB 1696 updates Washington’s existing Equal Pay and Opportunities Act by requiring more transparency on pay ranges and by prohibiting employers from asking for an applicant’s wage history.

New Bill Provides Incentives for Washington Cities to Increase Residential Capacity

July 26, 2019 by Steve Butler
Category: Development Regulations and Zoning , Housing , New Legislation and Regulations

This past legislative session saw the passage E2SHB 1923, a bill intended to encourage more residential development capacity and increase local governments’ emphasis on affordable housing.

New Workplace Protections for Washington Public Employees

July 22, 2019 by Sarah Doar
Category: Recruitment and Hiring , New Legislation and Regulations

With recent changes in statutes and caselaw, now is a good time for Washington State public employers to review their personnel policies and ensure that they are up to date.

2019 Legislative Outcomes for Procurement and Contracting - Part 2

July 19, 2019 by Judy Isaac
Category: Purchasing and Contracting , New Legislation and Regulations

In Part 2 of this series covering new bills impacting local government procurement and contracting, this blog post covers ESSB 5418, ESB 5958, ESSB 5035, and SSB 5017.

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