A legislative agenda tells State government how potential legislation could impact the City of Sumner, either with benefits or challenges. It also informs the public and other partner jurisdictions how State-level decisions affect local-level government.
2026 Legislative Agenda
KEEP HOUSING AFFORDABLE IN SUMNER
Past work at the local and State levels are generating housing construction and planning. It’s working. Over 800 units are in the permit pipeline, bringing affordable options that increase Sumner’s population by 25% in the next three years. Give developers and local government time to build these needed housing units without further policy or code changes.
APPROVE
LCP Ask: Rivergrove Pedestrian Bridge Funding
This project reconnects an entire neighborhood to schools, transit and vital services, alleviating congestion on state highways and offering a critical lahar evacuation route to current and future residents. It also builds a multi-modal connection to the Foothills Trail, connecting future residents in Orting and Tehaleh to services.
OPPOSE
2SHB 1443/SSB 5332 – Mobile dwellings
Requirement of cities to allow up to two mobile units per lot is excessive. Rather than encourage more housing, it potentially discourages neighborhood growth.
PROTECT CITIES = INCREASE STATE REVENUE
Avoid a narrative of State v. local “winners and losers” for limited tax dollars. Focus efforts on partnership with cities for critical infrastructure that supports a strong business economy to generate future revenue back to the State. In one year, the State directly receives over $61 million from Sumner in sales and property taxes.
PROTECT
Shared revenues
Thriving businesses and residences need good infrastructure including roads, parks and access. Growth should also be done with measures to protect the surrounding environment through wastewater and stormwater systems and keep communities safe. Shared revenue with local jurisdictions is the State’s investment in core services that generate future revenue to the State.
OPPOSE
2SHB 1175 – Requiring businesses in residential zones. Creates parking, noise, garbage conflicts that will plague any small business and tear neighborhoods apart.
SHB 1380 – Public property regulations. Ambiguity will mean more lawsuits against cities, pulling funding from other critical infrastructure needed for a vibrant economy.
GO BEYOND “THOUGHTS & PRAYERS”
Public safety remains a concern of residents and businesses, who look to State and local leaders to work together to increase support for victims and protection of potential victims.
APPROVE
SHB 1592/SB 5707 – Public defense services.
Changes funding from grant based to pro-rated allocations. The new lower caseload mandates ordered by the Washington Supreme Court means criminals will simply walk if cities can’t meet the nearly impossible standards now required.
HB 1969 – Law enforcement aviation support.
Creates grant program for local law enforcement rotary wing aviation support units; Sumner Police relies on King County Guardian 1, WSP and Pierce County planes.
OPPOSE
HB 1512 – Eliminates most common traffic stops, leaving dangerous behavior unchecked and endangering walkability that builds a safe, active community.
HB 1322 – Impacts of juvenile crime need equal consequences despite age. Sumner’s Winco shooting was just one example of juveniles choosing violent behavior, shooting randomly at victims.
Guiding Principles
Recent sessions have witnessed unprecedented numbers of bills being introduced on a wide range of topics. Bills are also moving quickly with votes taken at all hours. In addition to Sumner’s 2025 agenda items, the Sumner City Council also encourages the mayor and staff to provide input to bills to uphold the following guiding principles for State legislation.
Keep transportation moving.
Continue the effort to finish what we started with major projects in our region including the SR 162/SR 410 interchange improvements, the 166th/SR 410 interchange improvements, the southbound HOT/HOV lane on SR 167 and other major projects. We realize needs are heavy throughout the state, yet the SR 167, SR 410 and SR 162 corridors continue to feel the pressure of development on roadways intended for rural agriculture. Sumner includes the largest Manufacturing Industrial Center in Pierce County with companies like Helly Hansen, Costco and Amazon. Access to and from the Port of Tacoma is imperative to keep supply chains moving.
Support local accessibility to civic engagement.
Even with technology, individual constituents have better access to civic engagement at the local level. Keeping policy choices such as planning, public safety and land use at the local level increases the public’s access to engagement and direct feedback on the policies that affect their lives.
Encourage efficiency in government at all levels.
Costs for all things are going up, including for the operations of State and local governments. To avoid further impacting residents and businesses, encourage efficiencies in work at all levels of government, including local levels, to better serve the public in a timely and efficient way. Efficient government includes partnership, and the City continues to work legislative support with partners including the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC), Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC), Association of Washington Cities (AWC) and South Sound Housing Affordability Partners (SSHA3P).
Thank you for your continued support!
Contact Us
Mayor Kathy Hayden, 253-299-5790, khayden@sumnerwa.gov
Bill Clarke, Lobbyist (contract), 360-561-7540, bill@clarke-law.net
Jason Wilson, City Administrator, 253-299-5501, jasonw@sumnerwa.gov
Carmen Palmer, Communications Director, 253-299-5503, carmenp@sumnerwa.gov