Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026

Dear Greater Kitsap Chamber Members,

Welcome to the first issue of the Advocacy Committee's monthly newsletter! We aim to be your go-to resource for staying informed on the local and state legislative matters that affect your business.

As Chair of the Advocacy Committee, I'm committed to making sure our member businesses have a seat at the table when decisions are made in Olympia and right here in Kitsap County. This newsletter is one of the ways we're working to keep you connected to that work. We plan to share updates on legislation we're tracking, actions we're taking, and opportunities for you to make your voice heard.

We know that the best advocacy comes from the ground up. No one understands the challenges facing Kitsap businesses better than you do, and we want to hear from you. If there's an issue affecting your business or industry, a legislative development you'd like us to track, or something

happening in the community that we should know about, please reach out. Your input directly shapes our priorities.

Thank you for your membership and your continued investment in this community.

Together, we can ensure that Kitsap businesses have a strong, unified voice.

Warm regards,

Alysa Grimes



Chair, Advocacy Committee

Greater Kitsap Chamber

alysa@silverdalelawyers.com

State Legislative Update

This is a space where we will share the status of bills the Committee has identified as potentially having a great impact on Kitsap Businesses. This Session, the Committee focused on three priorities: Tax & Fiscal, Construction & Land Use, and Employment Law. Within those priorities, the Committee identified and took an official stance on three to four bills. This update reflects the status of those bills as we barrel toward the end of the Session on March 12, 2026.

PRO = Committee supports bill

CON = Committee opposes bill

Tax & Fiscal

SB 6346 – Millionaire Tax (Con)

• Passed in the Senate; moved to the House.
• House Finance Committee met on February 27, 2026.
• The Committee adopted an amendment to remove a tax break for large corporations.  It also added a sales tax exemption for diapers.
• This bill is likely advancing to the House floor for a vote.
• The bill will then return to the Senate for a vote because the bill was amended.
• Things will move quickly with the session ending on March 12, 2026.

Dead Bills

• HB 2100/SB 6093 – Payroll Tax (Con)
• HB 2097 – County B&O Tax (Con)
• HB 2187 – Child Care B&O Tax Credit (Pro)

Construction & Land Use

SB 5729 – Streamline Affordable Housing Permits (Pro)

• Passed in the Senate, House Local Government Committee recommended “do pass.”  Referred to House Rules Committee.
• Waiting to be placed on the House floor for a vote.
• This bill has strong bipartisan support; likely to pass.

Dead Bills

• HB 2141 – Building Code Stability (Pro)
• HB 2273 – Carbon Emission Mandates (Con)

Employment Law

HB 2105 (SB 5852) – I-9 Audit Requirements (Con)

• SB 5852 died, but the bill is alive through companion bill HB 2105.
• Passed the House; Senate Labor & Commerce Committee recommended “do pass.” Referred to Senate Ways & Means Committee, and there was a public hearing on February 26. They have until March 6, the opposite house fiscal committee cut off, to act.

SB 5292 Paid FMLA Changes (Con)

• Passed in the Senate. House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards recommended “do pass,” and referred the bill to the House Rules Committee.
• Waiting to be placed on the House floor for a vote. Given the vote margin and the bill’s history, likely to pass.

Dead Bills

• HB 2157 – AI System Regulation (Con)

Local Government Updates

The following are scheduled meetings for local government bodies across Kitsap County in March 2026. Attending these meetings is one of the most direct ways to engage with local decision-makers and advocate on behalf of Kitsap businesses.

Kitsap County

Kitsap County Board of Commissioners

County Administration Building

619 Division Street

Port Orchard, WA 98366

Zoom Link via Meeting

Agenda: https://www.kitsap.gov/BOC_p/Pages/AgendaMasterSchedule.aspx

Regular Business Meetings (Commissioner Chambers)

March 9, 2026 @ 5:30 p.m.

March 23, 2026 @ 10:00 a.m.

Work Session (Port Blakely Conference Room)

March 4, 2026 @ 9:00 a.m.

March 11, 2026 @ 9:00 a.m.

March 18, 2026 @ 9:00 a.m.

March 25, 2026 @ 1:00 p.m.

AM Work Session (Port Blakely Conference Room)

March 2, 2026 @ 9:00 a.m.

March 9, 2026 @ 9:00 a.m.

March 16, 2026 @ 9:00 a.m.

PM Work Session (Port Blakely Conference Room)

March 2, 2026 @ 2:00 p.m.

March 9, 2026 @ 2:00 p.m.

March 16, 2026 @ 2:00 p.m.

March 23, 2026 @ 2:00 p.m.

More information about Kitsap County Board of Commissioners:

https://www.kitsap.gov/BOC_p/Pages/default.aspx

Advocacy Committee News

Help Guide Our Advocacy Efforts

The Advocacy Committee exists to represent the interests of Kitsap businesses at the local and state level. To make sure we're focused on what matters most to you, we'd love your input. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey.

Advocacy Committee Meeting Update

Next Advocacy Committee Meeting: TBD

Our Committee is in the process of adjusting the meeting date and time to best serve our current members. Please stay tuned for more information! Email Alysa Grimes at alysa@silverdalelawyers.com with any questions.

Office (360) 479-3579 | 705 Pacific Avenue in Downtown Bremerton

Silverdale Office (360) 692-6800 | Kitsap Mall

PO Box 1218 Silverdale WA 98383

If you need assistance, please contact us directly.