Session Update: Delivering for the 28th Legislative District

As the 2026 legislative session comes to a close, I want to share some of what we accomplished this year and how it’s making a difference here in the 28th Legislative District, including Lakewood, University Place, Fircrest, DuPont, Steilacoom, and our Joint Base Lewis-McChord community. Please note this list is not exhaustive as it would be much longer if so, and I’m so proud to deliver strong results on behalf of folks in our communities.

This session, I remained focused on practical solutions that support working families, strengthen our local economy, and make sure our communities remain safe, connected, and affordable.

Delivering for Our Communities

This year’s budgets include meaningful investments that support our region’s infrastructure, community spaces, and quality of life.

We made important investments in community facilities, infrastructure, and energy efficiency that benefit Pierce County residents, while also continuing progress on key transportation corridors that connect our communities and support our local economy.

Key investments include:

Community & Housing

Affordable Housing Preservation — $515,000
Lakewood Nourish Market & Connection Center — $5 million
Apple Orchard Park in University Place — over $500,000
Curran Apple Orchard Oil Heater Replacement – $22K

Parks, Culture, and Community Spaces

Fort Steilacoom Park Preservation — $206,000
Edgewater Park and community improvements
Steilacoom Tribal and Cultural Center project

Public Safety & Infrastructure

Alameda Lighting Safety Project — $500,000
Underground Wire Replacement — $550,000

Military & State Facilities

Joint Force Readiness Center — $6 million
Camp Murray Barricade Repair — $2.66 million
McNeil Island investments, including barge replacement — $6.128 million

Behavioral Health

Western State Hospital New Forensic Hospital — $282 million

Transportation & Affordability

Nearly $1 million to support Kids Ride Free, including county ferry and Amtrak programs

I was also proud to support continued expansion of Kids Ride Free, especially on our county ferry system. This helps families save money and ensures young people can get to school, jobs, and activities.

Addressing Housing Affordability

Housing affordability remains one of the most urgent challenges facing families across the 28th District.

This year, we passed legislation to increase housing supply and reduce barriers to building more homes, including:

HB 1974, establishing land banking authorities to make it easier to secure land for affordable housing
HB 2266, streamlining permitting for supportive and transitional housing so projects can move forward faster
HB 2294, removing outdated restrictions that prevent grocery stores and essential services from reopening in our communities

These are practical steps that help expand housing options, reduce costs, and support healthier neighborhoods.

Building a Stronger Workforce

Supporting workers and strengthening our workforce continues to be a top priority, especially in a district with strong ties to military families and a growing regional economy.

I supported HB 2099 and HB 2309, which expand access to workforce training, remove barriers to employment, and help connect more Washingtonians to family-wage careers.

We also passed important worker protection bills:

HB 2478, strengthening enforcement against wage theft and ensuring workers are paid what they’ve earned
HB 2479, speeding up wage recovery so workers can access the pay they are owed more quickly

These policies help create a stronger, fairer economy for workers and families across our district.

Protecting Public Safety

Public safety remains a top concern in our communities.

This year, I supported HB 2532, sponsored by Rep. Timmons and Sen. Hansen, to address the misuse and sale of nitrous oxide. This legislation strengthens regulations, making the substance illegal, to curb abuse while preserving legitimate uses, helping protect public health and safety.

Supporting Seniors and Veterans

With a strong population of veterans and military retirees in the 28th District, supporting those who have served is especially important.

This session, we expanded eligibility for the state’s property tax exemption program (SB 6162), helping more seniors and disabled veterans stay in their homes and remain part of the communities they helped build.

This session, I sponsored legislation to strengthen support systems for military families, including HB 1073 to improve National Guard retention and HB 2099 to expand access to early learning opportunities for military-connected children. I also supported efforts to invest in on-base school construction so students in military families have safe, modern learning environments.

In addition, I worked to secure capital investments connected to Joint Base Lewis-McChord and Camp Murray that strengthen military readiness and support the surrounding community.

I also supported a range of legislation to better serve veterans, including:

HB 1106 and SB 6162, expanding property tax relief for disabled veterans
SB 5200, removing barriers to veterans’ medical foster homes
HB 2324, expanding tuition waivers
HB 1102, increasing access to critical veteran services

These efforts reflect our commitment to honoring service and making sure military members, veterans, and their families have the support they need to thrive. (Photo credit: Senior Airman Jordaan Kvale).

Lowering Costs for Families

We also passed legislation to help reduce everyday costs and protect consumers, including:

HB 1903, providing financial relief for households facing rising energy costs
HB 2242, ensuring access to preventive health care services without out-of-pocket costs
HB 2296, expanding access to solar energy and EV charging, helping households save on energy over time

These policies help make daily life more affordable while supporting long-term sustainability.

Keeping Our Commitment to Retirees

I was proud to support a long-overdue cost-of-living adjustment for retirees through the PERS 1 and TRS 1 COLA in HB 1292.

This ensures that the public employees and educators who served our communities can better keep up with rising costs.

Community Conversations & Legislative Updates

Staying connected with our community is one of the most important parts of my work. I’m looking forward to joining several upcoming meetings across the 28th District to share legislative updates, answer questions, and hear directly from you about the issues that matter most.

Here’s where you can find me in the coming weeks:

University Place City Council
📅 May 4 | 🕡 6:30 p.m.
DuPont City Council
📅 May 26 | 🕕 6:00 p.m.
Fircrest City Council
📅 June 9 | 🕖 7:00 p.m.
Lakewood Downtown Neighborhood Association
📅 June 10 | 🕕 6:00 p.m.

These conversations are a great opportunity to stay informed about the work happening in Olympia and to share your thoughts, questions, and ideas. I hope to see you at one of these upcoming meetings.

Restrictions on Communications During An Election Year

State Ethics law put certain restrictions on legislator communications to prevent the use of state resources for election purposes every election year. These restrictions include a freeze on my legislative Facebook page and my legislative web page beginning Monday, May 4, 2026, until after the general election in November.

It is my highest honor to represent the 28th Legislative District and beyond and continue to deliver meaningful results. Your input continues to shape the work we do in Olympia, and I remain committed to delivering practical solutions that make a difference in your daily lives.

If you have questions, concerns, or ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,

Leavitt sig

Mari Leavitt
Washington State Representative