Washington Lawmakers Prepare for 2026: Interim Committee Agendas and Priorities

Legislative session is a busy time for our elected officials. From committee hearings to engaging with constituents, they work around the clock to deliver results for those they serve. Many may assume that the interim period is a time of rest for those in the legislature; however, much of their time is dedicated to preparation for the session to come. In the biennial cycle, regular session is 105 days, and the supplemental session is just 60 days. Maximizing effectiveness and efficiency during the legislative session requires legislators to be proactive. Whether its local outreach or producing interim plans, elected officials know the importance of remaining engaged to get the pulse on key issues that will be prioritized come January of the following year. At Pettigrew Consulting Services, much of our work entails securing critical funding for clients. To strategize for the 2026 legislative session, we are monitoring interim plans for the Senate Ways & Means committee and the House Appropriations and Capital Budget committees.

"We're ready to tackle the challenges from upcoming federal changes and find solutions for our clients as we gear up for the 2026 legislative session." - Eric Pettigrew, PCS President & CEO

Senate Committee Work plans

Ways & Means Committee:

On October 16th, 2025, the Senate Ways & Means committee convened for a work session to discuss Federal changes with H.R. 1, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the implications for Washington State.

The first topic discussed with was Medicaid. Findings conclude that proposed work requirements, increased frequency of redeterminations, and additional modifications to eligibility and enrollment rules will have an impact on access and state funding. It is estimated that over 620,000 Washingtonians will be impacted by work requirements and changes to redeterminations; furthermore, Washington is projected to lose billions in federal funding between 2025 and 2034.

The second topic discussed was food assistance programs. An estimated 510,000 households in Washington receive SNAP benefits, averaging $3,800 per household and $1.9 billion in total benefits annually. As of July 4th, 2025, the H.R. 1 increased work requirements and reduced work exemptions, in addition to limiting SNAP eligibility to legal citizens and defunding the SNAP education program. By October 1st, 2027, states will be required to contribute anywhere between 5% and 15% annually to the SNAP program. These changes will result in an estimated 30,000 immigrants losing access to SNAP benefits and household benefits being reduced by an average of $82 each month.

Read documents from the 10/16/2025 Ways & Means committee work session here.

House of Representatives Committee Work plans

Appropriations Committee:

In December 2025, the Appropriations committee will convene during assembly days to discuss various topics. These topics include juvenile rehabilitation system capacity, behavioral health systems capacity, federal funding updates, and a preview for the 2026 legislative session budget.

The discussion on the juvenile rehabilitation system capacity will center on items in the state operating budget and capital budget that aim to address capacity concerns and updates on current capacity systems and action items taken to mitigate these concerns thus far. Similarly, the discussion relating to behavioral health system capacity will review operating and capital budget items and updates on inpatient capacity by geographic area, and efforts to serve individuals in alternative care settings.

As for federal funding updates, the appropriations committee will discuss the implications of federal changes that are anticipated to be implemented fall of 2025. For the 2026 budget session preview, an update will be received from the November revenue forecast and estimated maintenance funding changes. Additionally, the committee will review a preview of budget items that could be brought forth prior to the 2026 legislative session.

Capital Budget Committee:

In December 2025, the Capital Budget committee will convene during assembly days to discuss various topics. Subjects on the agenda are as follows: capital grant program equity updates and listening tour results, overview and update on fish passage and salmon recovery programs, and school construction assistance program revision planning.

For capital grant program equity updates, the committee will be presented with information from the Department of Commerce and the Recreation and Conservation Office relating to efforts to develop more equitable participation in capital budget-funded grant programs. Furthermore, the committee will receive information regarding the 2025 grant listen tour conducted by the Department of Commerce.

As for the overview and update on fish passage and salmon recovery programs, the committee will receive information from agencies administering capital budget-funded fish passage and salmon recovery programs. For the school construction assistance program revision planning, the committee will receive information from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) regarding the program revision report.

You can find additional House of Representatives Interim Plans here.