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March 21, 2026

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Welcome to Barnard’s Weekly Capitol Snapshot.

Now that the 2026 legislative session has concluded on March 12, I wanted to take a step back and share a fuller recap of some of the real results delivered for the 8th District and surrounding communities during the session.

Session moves fast, and a lot can get lost in the day-to-day churn of hearings, floor debates, votes, and deadlines. But when the dust settles, what matters most is whether the work we did in Olympia made a meaningful difference back home. That is the standard I try to keep front and center every day as your state representative.

This year, I worked hard to advance practical legislation, protect Washington’s competitive edge, strengthen privacy protections in state government, and advocate for major capital investments that will directly benefit communities across our region.

I am especially proud that two of my bills were signed into law this year, and that the capital budget delivered major support for projects in the 8th District and nearby communities.

These are not abstract wins. They are the kinds of results that can help create jobs, improve public facilities, strengthen infrastructure, support public safety, and better position our region for the future.

A major priority years in the making: House Bill 1210 becomes law

One of the accomplishments I am most proud of this session is the passage and signing of House Bill 1210.

This has been one of my top legislative priorities for three years, and seeing it signed into law was a major win for the 8th District, our region, and Washington’s economic future. I have continued pushing this bill because I saw a clear problem in state law that could put major investment, job creation, and industrial growth at risk simply because state timelines did not match the real-world pace of federal approval.

My bill updates Washington’s targeted urban area property tax exemption so that qualifying clean energy transformation business facilities remain eligible when federal certification takes longer than the state’s originally anticipated timelines. That flexibility is especially important for industries with long development and regulatory timelines, including advanced nuclear manufacturing.

That matters greatly for communities like ours. In the Tri-Cities and surrounding region, economic development, energy innovation, and advanced nuclear manufacturing go hand in hand. These are exactly the kinds of opportunities that can bring major private investment, strengthen our regional economy, and create family-wage jobs. Washington should not be turning those projects away because of outdated policy timelines that fail to reflect how long federal review can take.

The bill allows cities to grant up to two additional 24-month extensions when delays are outside the project owner’s control, and the applicant is acting in good faith. It also preserves strong accountability by requiring verification that labor standards and application commitments have been met, including available compliance information on prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements during construction, as well as documentation of post-construction prevailing or family-living-wage jobs.

House Bill 1210 is about making Washington more practical, more responsive, and more competitive. It helps ensure our state is ready to support emerging industries and large-scale projects that can shape the future of communities like ours.

Read more in my press release: Governor signs Barnard bill into law, boosting clean energy jobs, investment, and advanced nuclear manufacturing

Protecting privacy and preparing for the future: House Bill 2606 signed into law

I was also pleased to see House Bill 2606 signed into law.

As the government continues to use more digital tools, artificial intelligence, and evolving technology, privacy protections must keep pace. My bill modernizes the Office of Privacy and Data Protection and expands its role in helping review major state projects involving artificial intelligence and personal information.

It helps make sure Washington is thinking ahead about privacy, oversight, and accountability as technology continues to evolve. It is an important step toward protecting personal information while making sure state government uses modern tools responsibly.

Read more in my press release: Governor signs Rep. Stephanie Barnard’s bill modernizing state privacy office and strengthening AI oversight into law

Major capital budget wins for our region

One of the most important parts of the legislative session is advocating for investments that return home and directly benefit our communities.

Over the biennium, the capital budget has delivered major investments for projects in the 8th District and surrounding communities.

2026 projects include:

• $3.2 million for the Twin Bridges Road tire pile clean-up.
• $1.52 million for West Richland home ownership.
• $1.5 million for the Finley School District HVAC system.
• $1 million for the Pasco Regional Police Academy improvements.
• $600,000 for the Richland HVAC replacement.
• $447,000 for the Kennewick Irrigation District main canal lining.
• $309,000 for the Toyota Center HVAC system and security upgrades.
• $258,000 for the Pasco Symbiosis Park North American analysis.
• $258,000 for the Pasco Reimann Expansion engineering master plan.
• $150,000 for the Richland Transitional Veterans’ Home.
• $93,000 for the Kennewick Activity Center asbestos abatement.

2025 projects include:

• $18 million for the Columbia Basin College student housing construction.
• $3.850 million for the Three Rivers Recovery housing in Kennewick.
• $1.425 million for the Pasco Boys and Girls Club clubhouse.
• $1 million for the Benton REA’s wildlife resilience project.
• $927,000 MLK Community Center renovation and expansion.
• $750,000 Columbia Park East boat launch replacement.
• $700,000 for the Battelle/PNNL grid-scale coordination in Richland.
• $515,000 for the Road 80 neighborhood park in Pasco.
• $350,000 for the Prosser Boys and Girls Club.
• $341,000 for the Tri-Cities food bank food distribution and storage improvements.
• $309,000 for the City of West Richland Municipal Services facility backup power generator.
• $280,000 for the Tri-Tech Skills Center HVAC RTU replacement.
• $88,000 for the Tri-Cities Community Health dental imaging.

These investments matter because they represent real improvements people can see and use. They help support public spaces, educational facilities, housing, food access, emergency preparedness, infrastructure, public safety, and community development. They also reflect how hard our region continues to push for projects that improve the quality of life and support future growth.

Save the date: 8^th District town hall on April 11

I also want to invite you to an upcoming in-person 8^th District town hall with Rep. April Connor, Sen. Matt Bohenke, and me.

Saturday, April 11
9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Columbia Basin College, Gjerde Center
2600 N. 20^th Ave, Pasco

This will be a great opportunity to ask questions, share your concerns, and engage directly with your lawmakers. We will also recap what happened during the 2026 legislative session and talk about the decisions made in Olympia that could affect your family, your community, and our region.

I always value the chance to hear directly from the people I serve, and I hope you will join us.

Looking forward

Even though the legislative session has ended, I remain your state representative for the rest of the year. That means my office is here for you year-round, not just when the Legislature is in session. Whether you need help with a state issue, want to share a concern, have a question about legislation, want me to meet with you or a community group, or want to stay connected, please reach out to my office. Hearing from you is one of the most important parts of this job, and your input helps guide the work I do on behalf of the 8^th District.

It is an honor to serve you in Olympia and at home in the district. Thank you for the opportunity to represent our communities, and please do not hesitate to contact my office if there is ever anything we can do to help.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Barnard