Commentary: The legislative process is far from perfect, but there are some key threads in successful and meaningful policy.
Ed.: The essays, analyses and opinions presented as Community Voices express the perspectives of their authors on topics of interest and importance to the community, and are not intended to reflect perspectives on behalf of Salish Current.
As we count down Washington’s 2026 legislative session, we are reminded of the absurdity of this process. Lawmakers have 60 days to pass dozens of bills, after hearing from hundreds of lobbyists and constituents, that will affect millions of people. It’s a job few people envy or understand — that’s an entirely different problem, though.
To get anything done, many things get left on the table each year. Lest we forget, these institutions were designed to make it difficult to challenge the status quo — and that’s without partisan politics. But there are several threads we continue to see present in issues that make it to a vote and often law: solutions must be replicable and scalable, endure future challenges while being self-sustaining and have public understanding and support.
Replicable and scalable
Back in 2011, Bellingham City Council passed an ordinance to ban single-use plastic grocery bags and charge five cents for paper bags. This was made possible by the support of local organizations, hundreds of volunteer hours and the gathering of more than 3,000 signatures. Nearly a decade later, Washington state followed suit. Showing what can be enacted locally and then scaled up is a powerful tool for statewide policy.
Although that initial state bill wasn’t perfect, it showed what was possible. This year, legislators are working on a bill to close a loophole that allowed retailers to sell thicker, “reusable” plastic bags, raise the price of paper bags and ensure delivery services comply.
Legislators are also working on implementing a bottle and can refund, like those already in place in 10 states. Washington’s current recycling system does not collect and recycle the majority of the 3.8 billion glass, plastic and metal cans and bottles produced each year. Learning from our neighbors is another trait of successful policy.
Enduring and sustainable
The proposed bottle bill is also an excellent example of what durable policy looks like. The Recycling Reform Act, passed in 2025, promotes extended producer responsibility to shift the costs and burdens of recycling to producers — a key approach for both implementation and long-term support. Ensuring return centers are funded by beverage companies, not taxpayers, is essential, especially in our current budget deficit. This bill is multifaceted, addressing litter and plastic pollution while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions by recycling more products.
Bringing these concepts into natural resources management is a bit more nuanced, but equally important. A request from the Washington Department of Natural Resources to allow more flexibility in how it generates revenue from forests is a step toward much needed management-level milestones. Using carbon markets and creative market-based solutions can fulfill the agency’s obligations to State Trust beneficiaries while longer-term solutions and legislative changes are pursued.
Market-based solutions aren’t for everyone. But using intermediate steps that are compatible with a range of forestry philosophies can help us move toward more sustainable approaches, like ensuring school funding isn’t tied to forestry management and our rural communities are more climate resilient. Securing more enduring outcomes will take significant policy shifts and time.
Public salience
Then there are issues that folks haven’t even heard of. From what’s in our wastewater to how our tires degrade, educating the public on emerging issues helps bring policy into the light.
Did you know Washington mandates biosolids — treated sewage sludge — be “reused as a beneficial commodity?” Although this was intended to promote using biosolids as a fertilizer for agricultural, residential and forestry purposes, it was written before we had a full understanding of the harmful contaminants like PFAS. Now we know these “forever chemicals” do not break down in biosolids and go on to contaminate surface and groundwater.
By eliminating the mandate and adding labeling, we can move forward on managing biosolids in ways that reduce risk to the public and environment. Unfortunately, these biosolids issues were not taken up by legislators this year. However, educating people is essential to building public salience and pushing for change at local and state policy levels. These efforts are marathons that take sustained effort over time.
There is hope, though. In 2020, scientists discovered that a chemical in tires breaks down and combines with ozone to form 6PPDQ, a compound lethal to coho salmon and other fish. After decades of fish die-offs, we had an answer. Now, building off that breakthrough, we are working toward solutions. Legislation to address 6PPDQ is seeing traction this session but will need support from advocates and community members to make it to the governor’s desk.
Change only happens and lasts when we all plug in and advocate for what matters most. To keep up-to-date on the bills and issues above, and to learn how you can take action this legislative session join RE Sources’ Legislative Action Team!
— By Ander Russell
Also read in Salish Current:
• “Tribes seek to turn the tide on ocean acidity,” June 27, 2024
• “Commentary: Now is the time for a Washington state green amendment,” Feb. 19, 2024
• “Locals in small operation take on ‘tall order’ in marine ecosystem,” Sept. 22, 2023
• “Using ‘rights of nature’ to correct environmental wrongs,” July 7, 2023
• “Can kelp farming help save our marine environment?” Oct. 7, 2022
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