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More Bills Knocked Out of Running
in Washington Legislature
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Published in WA State Standard, March 3rd, 2026
Photo: Bill Lucia/WA State Standard
We’re in the home stretch of Washington’s 2026 legislative session.
It means a near-constant culling of the legislation that lawmakers are considering. Monday and last Wednesday marked important deadlines to get bills out of committees in the chamber opposite where they were introduced.
Measures that didn’t clear these hurdles are likely dead for the year.
Backers of bills that made it can’t breathe a sigh of relief yet.
The rest of this week will be filled with floor action in the House or Senate, as bills have to pass the chambers by 5 p.m. Friday. Budget legislation and measures considered “necessary to implement the budget” are immune from the deadlines.
Lawmakers have a lot of work to do as they sprint to the finish. They have dozens of bills they want to send to the governor and three budgets to finalize — not to mention a controversial income tax on million-dollar earners — before the session ends March 12.
Here’s a sampling of the bills that didn’t survive the latest deadlines.
Read the article here
| | Military Appreciation Day 2026 | | |
This interactive event is designed to show appreciation to the men and women of our military: Active Duty, National Guard, Reservists, including Retirees, and their families. Military Appreciation Day includes an information fair for new service members coming to our community in 2026. The general public is welcome!
Questions? Contact Mindy Rocha-Barella at parade@greaterkitsapchamber.com.
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Chamber: Off the Clock
Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 5:05pm
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March Membership Luncheon
Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 11:00am
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Social Security 101: Just the Basics
Thursday, March 26, 2026, 11:30am
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Be Featured in the Chamber Map!
Reserve your ad space now
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Reserve your space today with Brandon Burton at brandon@communitymattersinc.com or 360-362-0929
Complete your order here: https://springhillpress.net/greaterkitsap/
| Greater Kitsap Chamber & Leadership Kitsap: 2026 Kitsap Women's Summit | | The Kitsap Women's Summit planning committee is proud to present Kitsap Women's Summit 2026: Breakthrough. Join us for our 3rd annual summit where we're diving into topics meant to create and sustain momentum - breaking through limits, beliefs, transitions and noise. This day-long gathering is curated for women, by women, and was brought to life by the need for real space for conversation, community, connection, and personal and professional development, amplifying women's voices and experiences across Kitsap County. | |
Save-the-Date: Armed Forces Day 2026 | |
First celebrated in 1948, the festival includes the nation’s largest and longest-running Armed Forces Day parade. This long-standing event is designed to thank the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States of America Armed Forces and recognize their service and commitment to our country and community.
Applications to participate are now open! Apply here
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Accessible Healthcare with NICE
Business Health Trust Has You Covered
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Care that fits real life.
Benefit updates can be a blur in the new year. So start with the part that is easiest to use.
Nice Healthcare is one place to begin for primary care, mental health, and everyday needs.
For many common issues like colds, sinus, UTIs, rashes, or a quick checkup, employees can start with Nice instead of heading to urgent care first. Visits are designed to feel like real care, not a rushed stop. There’s also a Care Team chat thread, so follow-ups and questions stay in one place.
🔗 Webpage Link: https://businesshealthtrust.com/products/nice-healthcare/
Questions? Contact BHT!
(425) 201-1972
nice@businesshealthtrust.com
Not a BHT member? Are you ready to build a better benefits package?
Visit bhtquote.com to learn more and get a free quote.
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Renew your membership today to ensure your benefits as a member of the Greater Kitsap Chamber! Questions about when to renew or how to upgrade your membership? Need a new membership window cling or digital badge? Contact us now!
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Missed a previous edition of the Chamber's Community Connections?
View all the past issues on our website HERE.
| | New Members - Welcome to the Chamber! | |
New & Renewing Members for February
Thank you for your continued investment & support!
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SERVPRO: BIG GAME Preparedness Training
Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 9:00am
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BIG GAME Preparedness: Is Your Business Ready?
With the BIG GAME bringing unprecedented travel, packed watch parties, and full occupancy across Seattle, Vancouver, and communities throughout Washington, the hospitality industry is preparing for one of the busiest seasons of the year.
To help businesses stay prepared and protect their revenue, reputation, and guest experience, SERVPRO Leavens Enterprises, Inc. is offering a complimentary online training focused on business readiness during high-traffic “mega events” and the true cost of business interruption.
Business Preparedness Training
📅 Wednesday, March 11, 2026
🕘 9:00 – 9:30 AM
📍 Live via Zoom
Topics will include:
- Water extraction & structural drying
- Fire and odor cleanup
- Board-ups & vandalism recovery
- Sanitation and plumbing backup response
- Steps to protect customer experience and maintain business continuity
This short training is designed to help teams remain BIG GAME READY and confident in responding to unexpected incidents.
To reserve a spot, please email Lyndzee Doolittle at ldoolittle@servprokitsap.com.
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Kitsap Humane Society: Comedy Unleashed
Friday, March 20, 2026, 7:00pm
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Changing Faces, Changing Places
Share your business news today
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Has your team recently welcomed a new hire, celebrated a promotion, or marked a retirement? Kitsap Business magazine's Changing Faces, Changing Places section highlights the people powering our local business community. Chamber members are invited to share their staff updates for inclusion in an upcoming issue.
Send your announcements to news@kitsapbusiness.com and let us help you recognize the faces behind your success.
| | | Business & Professional Development Committee | | Member Education & Training Resources | | |
SCORE: Should I Start a Business?
Friday, March 6, 2026, 1:00pm
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Thinking about starting a business?
Join us for an interactive webinar that explores both the mindset and the practical steps of entrepreneurship. We’ll talk about traits of successful founders, common pitfalls to avoid, and how to test your idea with real customers. You’ll also learn about financial planning, funding options, and the early steps of building your business. Whether you’re just curious or ready to take the leap, you’ll leave with clarity, encouragement, and next steps.
Registration Fee: FREE
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SBDC: Small Business Cybersecurity
Session 4: Incident Response
Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 1:00pm
| This webinar will include examples of cybersecurity policy writing and a discussion of recovery and incident response plans. Ian Moore, Cyber Security State Coordinator for CISA, will discuss the CISA toolkit and services and how to report a cybersecurity incident. | |
SHRM West Sound: March Lunch & Learn
Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 11:45am
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2026 KEDA Economic Forecast Luncheon
Thursday, April 2, 2026, 11:00am
| | Business News & Resources | | WA Lawmakers Propose Competing Budgets Amid Debate Over Taxes and Reserves | |
Published by the WA Retail Association, February 26, 2026
Photo Courtesy of WRA
Washington lawmakers are considering competing supplemental budgets for the 2025–27 biennium, highlighting differences over spending priorities, reserve levels, and potential new taxes on high earners. The Senate proposes a $79.4 billion budget with $2.3 billion in new spending for health care, public services, and legal liabilities. Funding would come in part from a future tax on income over $1 million and a $750 million transfer from the state’s rainy-day fund. The House’s $79.9 billion plan takes a more cautious approach, relying on existing revenue, unspent funds, and an $880 million draw from reserves, while also incorporating the proposed income tax in long-term projections.
Both plans respond to rising costs in Medicaid, public schools, childcare, and other mandatory expenses. Revenue forecasts show slightly higher collections than expected, about $200 million more over six years, but mandatory cost increases of nearly $3.7 billion over four years outweigh these gains. Senate leaders note that spending also reflects inflation, legal obligations, and ongoing program costs. Key items include $1 billion through 2029 to strengthen the state’s Self-Insurance Liability Account and $190 million for long-term care for roughly 3,000 residents who are lawfully present but not U.S. citizens.
Revenue strategies differ between chambers. The proposed income tax could eventually generate $3.5 billion annually, with about $2.3 billion projected for the general fund by 2029 under the Senate plan. Funds would support tax credits for working families, small business tax relief, and hygiene product exemptions. Both chambers also plan transfers from capital gains, public works accounts, and other sources to balance the budget.
Lawmakers must now reconcile the proposals, finalize policy measures, and pass a supplemental budget by March 12. Key decisions include whether to adopt the high-earner tax and how much to maintain in reserves, balancing immediate needs with long-term fiscal stability.
Read the article here
| | The Greater Kitsap Chamber is proud to serve as a resource partner with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. Stay tuned to this section quarterly for education, resources and more from L&I. | | Workplace Rights: Common Mistakes to Avoid | | |
A big workplace right for employees is the protection provided to them through workers’ compensation coverage (workers’ comp). Workers’ comp is mandatory for all employees and even some contractors. Check out RCW 51.12.020 for the state law explaining which types of employment are excluded from coverage. Here are a few answers to my workers’ comp FAQs:
- How do I set up workers’ comp?
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Update your WA state business license with the Department of Revenue (DOR) Business Licensing Service and indicate you are going to have employee(s). For help, follow these steps.
- Where do I find my…?
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Are you looking for a certificate of coverage? Your account manager? Maybe rates and risk classes or your L&I account ID? You can find all of that using the Verify Tool. However, if you’re looking for your Participant Activation Code (PAC), you’ll want to call your account manager or give us a call at: 1-800-987-0145.
- Can my payroll company or other third party file for me?
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Yes. Be sure you and the service provider review “Filing on Behalf of Clients” to find an option that fits. But, beware! While payroll companies can file workers’ comp quarterly reports on your behalf, it’s not always the case! Be sure to verify directly with the payroll company to confirm if that’s a service they provide. Otherwise, you risk accruing late fees.
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Is coverage required for business owners?
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No. Most business owners are exempt from mandatory coverage per RCW 51.12.020, even if you pay yourself as an employee in a S-Corp or other structure. However, owners can opt into elective coverage and receive workers’ comp benefits such as medical care coverage related to a workplace injury and partial wage replacement if your workplace injury results in you missing three or more consecutive work days.
| | Nonprofit News & Resources | | How AI-Powered Impact Reporting Helps Nonprofits Meet Modern Donor Expectations | | |
Published in NonprofitPRO, February 24, 2026
Photo: Yuichiro Chino/Getty Images
Nonprofits are the ultimate storytellers. In a crowded, attention-scarce world, the ability to communicate why a mission matters, and how generosity translates into real change is what attracts donors in the first place. For decades, nonprofits have relied on storytelling because they operate at the intersection of human need and human emotion.
Today, stories of impact are table stakes.
Donors want transparency into not just where their money goes, but the impact it creates. At the same time, nonprofits are being asked to do more with less — facing reduced federal funding, potential tax repercussions from the One Big Beautiful Bill, stiffer competition for private dollars, and rising demand for services. As a result, in 2025, 81% of organizations struggled to raise enough funds to cover all of their costs.
Meeting these rising expectations under growing constraints requires a new approach. That’s where artificial intelligence (AI) comes in — not as a replacement for human connection, but as a way to make it more relevant, timely, and sustainable at scale. AI helps nonprofits meet donors where they are today and where they’ll be tomorrow through personalized engagement, clearer stories of impact, and real-time insight into what’s working and what’s not.
Read the article here
| | Tiny Homes Replacing Hybrid Shelter Concept | |
Published in the Kitsap Sun, February 25, 2026
Photo: David Nelson/Kitsap Sun
BREMERTON – A group of nonprofits announced Monday they will back away from plans to build a hybrid homeless shelter at a property along Sheridan Road, saying moving forward with the idea would invite significant conflict.
Leaders from the four agencies – the Bremerton Housing Authority, Kitsap Mental Health Services, Kitsap Community Resources and St. Vincent de Paul — wrote in an open letter Feb. 23 that they now plan to use the vacant 5-acre property for a tiny home project. Bremerton Housing Authority, which owns the land, will also explore other housing options.
The decision to pivot away from the hybrid shelter model comes after five months of uncertainty, and axes a shelter project that has been in development for over two years. It leaves the city with no clear path to erect a congregate shelter to replace the Salvation Army, a 94-bed facility that recently cut its daytime hours due to a funding loss and faces additional financial uncertainty past June.
The city council tasked the nonprofits with developing a shelter concept on their behalf two years ago, after rejecting another project on city owned property along Oyster Bay Avenue that was proposed by Mayor Greg Wheeler. The hope was a new shelter could provide a permanent replacement for the Salvation Army.
Read the article here
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Belfair Bypass Money on Track After
Cuts Proposed in WA Gov's Budget
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Published in the Kitsap Sun, February 26, 2026
Photo courtesy of WSDOT
Though Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson's proposed transportation budget in December showed a potential cut and delay in state funding for the Belfair Bypass project, the major infrastructure plan in North Mason has been added back for the latest version, updated on Feb. 23.
Interviewed this week, Rep. Dan Griffey of the 35th District said the revised budget plan will likely pass in the House when the transportation is scheduled for a vote on Feb. 28.
The Belfair Bypass project, formally known as the Highway 3 Freight Corridor, will build a new 6-mile route for Highway 3 from its intersection with Highway 302 at the south to Lake Flora Road at the north, so travelers who don't need to go through downtown Belfair can move more quickly. It's been years in the planning process, and right-of-way acquisition had been planned to begin in 2026.
Read the article here
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Bremerton First Friday Art Walk
Friday, March 6, 2026, 5:00pm
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Enjoy a free community event that showcases the thriving art scene in Bremerton.
First Friday Artwalk is held in Downtown Bremerton, Charleston, Lebo, and Manette, every first Friday from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Rain or shine.
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Light Up Bremerton
Friday, March 6, 2026, 6:00pm
| We are thrilled to invite you to Light Up Bremerton, our first ever lantern parade and the beginning of a new community tradition here in Bremerton. This evening celebrates creativity, fun, and coming together to light up downtown during First Friday Art Walk as the sun sets. | |
US Army Jazz Ambassador
Sunday, March 8, 2026, 3:00pm
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Poulsbo Beer Run 2026
Saturday, March 14, 2026, 9:00am
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St. Patrick's Day Parade
Saturday, March 14, 2026, 2:00pm
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Masks Still Available
Free at the Greater Kitsap Chamber & Visitor Center
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The Greater Kitsap Chamber still has some supplies available if your local business is in need of KN95 masks. Pick up your supply at both GKC locations today. Available while supplies last.
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Clearwater Casino Presents:
Terry Fator - Pure Imagination
Friday, March 6, 2026, 7:00pm
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Queen Mother - Queen Tribute
Friday, March 6, 2026, 8:30pm
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Port Gamble Ghost Walk
Friday, March 6, 2026, 7:00pm
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Comedian Michael Glatzmaier @ The Admiral
Saturday, March 7, 2026, 7:00pm
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Quincy Birthday Celebration @ The Roxy
Saturday, March 14, 2026, 7:00pm
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St. Patrick's Bash @ The Admiral Theatre
Saturday, March 14, 2026, 8:00pm
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This is a ST. PATRICK’S themed 80s tribute concert with dancing, a balloon drop, confetti cannons, black light, a costume contest (dress for prom, St. Patrick’s, 80s, or something else entirely), drink specials, and free party favors at the door. There will be two sets between 8 - 11 p.m., with a 20-minute break for the band.
IYKYK this is Kitsap's biggest party! PDM has an action-packed night of TOTALLY RAD 80s HITS by Duran Duran, Billy Idol, INXS, Pat Benatar, Tears For Fears, The Go-Gos, A Flock Of Seagulls, The Fixx, Simple Minds, Eurythmics, Depeche Mode & MUCH MORE!
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Stay in the know with what's happening for events
in Central Kitsap by checking out and liking the
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Have something to share? CLICK HERE to submit stories and
events for our weekly Community Connections!
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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.
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