By Macey Wurm
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

On Thursday (March 12), the 2026 Washington State legislative session will adjourn under the state Constitution. With this deadline rapidly approaching, we are providing another update on how bills for which the primary sponsors are your 34th District legislators – State Senator Emily Alvarado, State House Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, State House Rep. Brianna Thomas – have fared since our last update two weeks ago.

Since then, another two major deadlines have passed: the last day to read in-committee reports from House fiscal committees and Senate Ways and Means and Transportation committees was Mar. 2, and the last day to consider bills in the opposite house – with some exceptions- was last Friday, March 6. Each bill number links to its page on the WA Legislature site with details, bill reports, and ways to comment.

GOVERNOR SIGNED:
The following bill has been signed into law by Governor Ferguson, and will take effect July 2027:

HB 2355 – Rep. Thomas
Creates labor protections for domestic workers including minimum wage and overtime requirements. Allows domestic workers to bring a private cause of action under the Washington Law Against Discrimination in some instances.

DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR:

Bills that have been delivered to the Governor have passed both chambers, House and Senate, and have passed any concurrence, dispute, or conference committees. These committees come about if the bill is amended in the second chamber, which then requires the initial chamber to concur with the new amendments. After this, the bill is considered to have passed the Legislature. The bill is then signed by the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate, before it is sent to the Governor. The bills below have reached this point:

HB 2367 – Rep. Fitzgibbon
Exempts coal facility emissions occurring before Jan. 1, 2026 from the Cap-and-INvest Program, rather than all emissions. Gets rid of limitations on state agencies to impose emission performance standards on a coal facility as of Dec. 31, 2025. Repeals sales and tax exemptions for coal purchased or used at a coal facility.

HB 2303 – Rep. Thomas
Prohibiting employers from microchipping employees.

Governor Ferguson may decide to sign, partially veto, or completely veto a bill. If the governor does not take action within 5 days – if the bill is delivered while the legislature is still in session, or within 20 days – if it has adjourned, the bill automatically acts as if it were signed.

PASSED OPPOSITE CHAMBER: Some bills have passed the opposite chamber, but are not yet considered to have passed the Legislature – the step before being placed on the Governor’s desk. These bills have either not yet been signed by House and Senate leaders, or the opposite house has not yet concurred with new amendments:

HB 2215 – Rep. Fitzgibbon
Reduces emissions threshold determining covered entity status and compliance obligation in the Cap-and-Invest Program for certain fuel suppliers. Requires them to report emissions to the Department of Ecology. Prohibits state from awarding a procurement contract to certain fuel suppliers, with some exceptions.

HB 2251 – Rep. Fitzgibbon
Repeals three of the Climate Commitment Act funding accounts and replaces them with the Climate Commitment Act Operating Account and the Climate Commitment Act Capital Account. Makes changes to the use of CCA funding and distribution of revenue.

SB 6026 – Sen. Alvarado
Certain local governments must include residential development in commercial and mixed-use zones. Prohibits requirement for groundfloor commercial and mixed-use in these zones– subject to exceptions. Prohibits local governments from imposing ground floor commercial and mixed-use requirements on subsidized affordable housing.

SB 5911 – Sen. Alvarado
Prohibits the Department of Children, Youth, and Families from applying funds for or on behalf of a person in extended foster care as a reimbursement for the cost of care. Strengthening the financial stability of persons in the care of DCYF.

SB 6027 – Sen. Alvarado
Changes the allowable uses for local sales and use tax for housing and related services. Changes the eligible uses of funding in the Affordable Housing for All Account. Updates the definition of emergency housing for property tax exemptions for low-income persons or victims of domestic violence.

MISSED MARCH 6 DEADLINE: Some bills missed the opposite house cutoff that occurred last Friday, March 6. This cutoff was the last day for bills to be considered in the opposite house, barring some exceptions including budgets and matters necessary to implement budgets:

HB 2123 – Rep. Fitzgibbon
Candidates, campaigns, sponsors of electioneering communication or political advertising must confirm the absence of foreign national influence through a certificate, when the value of the contribution totals more than $6,000.

SB 5500 – Sen. Alvarado
Asserts that a DCFY biennial report that includes a market rate survey also includes a current cost of quality childcare study and a cost of quality childcare study defined by the early educator design team.

SB 5647 – Sen. Alvarado
The real estate excise tax exemption for self-help housing would include qualified affordable housing.

SB 5993 – Sen. Alvarado
Lowering the interest rate for medical debt. Prohibits interest from being charged, and requires a refund for interest paid for medical debt in certain circumstances.

SB 5496 – Sen. Alvarado
Limits excessive home buying by certain entities including those with interest in more than 100 single family residences, with some exceptions.

WHAT’S NEXT: This legislative session will officially adjourn on Thursday. This year is the second year of the Legislative biennium, meaning that bills that didn’t pass will have to be completely reintroduced next year under new bill numbers for the 2027-2028 session, if their sponsors want to try again.

TRAFFIC ALERT: Northbound 1st Avenue South Bridge closure extended through Friday because of ‘more extensive’ damage

March 10, 2026 9:17 pm

| 14 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Just announced tonight by WSDOT – the repair closure of the northbound 1st Avenue South Bridge won’t end tomorrow night after all:

The timeline for crews to complete temporary emergency repairs of the northbound State Route 99 First Avenue South bridge has been extended to 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 13.

Washington State Department of Transportation bridge maintenance crews have been working to modify existing grated panels and install steel plates over the cracked grates to restore safe vehicle access across all lanes since the full closure began on Monday morning, March 9.

(WSDOT photo)

Damage is more extensive than inspectors initially thought and the work to realign the area where the two spans of the bridge meet is very precise and methodical. This area experiences some of the greatest stress on the bridge as vehicles travel across it. Carefully adjusting this section of the bridge helps to create a smoother transition and reduces stress where the two spans meet.

As a reminder, this work is intended to immediately stabilize the bridge and reopen all lanes to traffic before the second phase of work begins in mid-to-late April, when contractor crews working for WSDOT will replace the worst of the failing panels before summer. The third phase of this work is a full replacement of the northbound bridge deck and construction is expected in 2027. During its last full inspection, this bridge was rated in fair condition.

What’s next for Schmitz Park Elementary building, after Alki’s new school opens

March 10, 2026 5:40 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

After three years at the former Schmitz Park Elementary, Alki Elementary will move into its new building this fall. So what’s next for Schmitz Park (5000 SW Spokane), which housed West Seattle Elementary for a year (during the WSES expansion) before Alki moved in? We asked Seattle Public Schools. Their reply: “Schmitz Park ES will be vacant next year. We are planning to implement some minor preventative maintenance repairs late Fall 2026 through Spring 2027.” This year marks 10 years since Schmitz Park Elementary’s final school year; its program became Genesee Hill Elementary in a then-brand-new building.

CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Bail set for North Shorewood shooting suspect arrested in West Seattle

March 10, 2026 3:57 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

(Reader-provided image, KCSO response Friday night)

The 18-year-old shooting suspect who turned out Friday night to be in High Point instead of barricaded inside a North Shorewood house remains jailed today on half a million dollars bail. We reported on the situation as it unfolded that night and obtained court documents today from the suspect’s probable-cause hearing. They say another family member called 911 to report the suspect had shot his brother and said the victim was driving himself to a Burien hospital; King County Sheriff’s Office deputies pulled him over and called medics, who took him to a Seattle hospital. Meantime, the family member told deputies that the suspect shot through a wall with a “long gun” after he and the victim argued, and that’s allegedly what hit him in the abdomen. Deputies believed the suspect was in the house and surrounded it while awaiting a warrant to go in, but as we reported that night, the court documents note that he called them to say he was miles away, near High Point Neighborhood House, and wanted to turn himself in. (How he got there and why he went there, the document narrative doesn’t say.) Back at the scene, deputies say, they found “a long gun that looks like an AR-15, .22 cal” outside the house and three .22 casings inside the house. So far as we can find online, the suspect has no record; the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office expects to get the case by tomorrow for a charging decision.

FOLLOWUP: Mayor’s proposed library levy would almost double the expiring one

March 10, 2026 1:42 pm

| 52 COMMENTS

| West Seattle libraries | West Seattle news

As previewed here last night, Mayor Katie Wilson has gone public with her proposal for the Seattle Public Library levy’s renewal/expansion, which she wants to send to voters on the August primary ballot. At $410 million over seven years, it’s almost double the $219 million levy that’s expired, which in turn had almost doubled the $123 million levy it followed. From the announcement today:

… The proposed 2026 replacement levy would further critical funding for The Seattle Public Library over seven years, from 2027 through 2033. It would replace the expiring $219.1 million 2019 Library Levy, which currently accounts for one-third of the Library’s total budget.

“Seattle is a city of readers. From toddlers discovering their first stories to seniors finding connection and lifelong learning, our libraries belong to everyone,” said Mayor Katie B. Wilson. “Investing in our libraries means investing in every community member, and in the shared public spaces that help our city learn, grow, imagine, and thrive together.”

If voters approve the 2026 Library Levy, it will invest in access, programming, collections, building maintenance, and technology and online services across Seattle’s library system. Key investments include:

-Open hours at all 27 neighborhood branches
-More physical, e-book and audiobooks for readers of every age
-Expanded technology and online services to support learning, job access, and connection
-Building maintenance and capital improvements to care for library spaces citywide
-Additional facility and janitorial resources to keep our libraries safer, cleaner and more welcoming for everyone

“We thank Mayor Wilson for putting forward a levy proposal that reflects community needs and interests and invests in Library open hours, collections, programs, buildings, and technology,” said Chief Librarian Tom Fay. “We look forward to working in partnership with Mayor Wilson and City councilmembers through a public process that will ensure this package is something all Seattle residents can be proud to support in August.”

The proposed 2026 Library Levy proposal will be reviewed by a select committee of the Seattle City Council, which will be chaired by Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4) … If the updated package is approved by Council, it will go to a final vote of the people on the August 4, 2026 ballot. Learn more about the proposal at spl.org/2026Levy

The proposal is under the title “Read. Grow. Belong.” Our area has four SPL branches – south to north, they are Southwest (9010 35th SW), High Point (3411 SW Raymond), Delridge (5423 Delridge Way SW), and West Seattle (2306 42nd SW).

Upzoning, round 2, about to go into review. Do you know what’s planned for your neighborhood?

March 10, 2026 11:56 am

| 61 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Whether you agree with their view of upcoming city upzoning or not, residents of one West Seattle neighborhood have advice for you: Find out what’s planned for where you live – don’t assume someone would have contacted you directly to let you know about changes.

The next round of upzoning involves what’s called the Centers and Corridors legislation, which the City Council will consider when it resumes meeting as the Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan – next meeting 2 pm Thursday, March 19, with its first of two standalone public hearings set for 9:30 am April 6. The focuses include the areas that will become housing/business hubs known as Neighborhood Centers and areas that are considered “transit corridors”; the city says the legislation is meant to:

… implement the vision in the One Seattle Plan by increasing our capacity to build apartments and condos more widely in areas with access to transit, shops, and services. This legislation would rezone land in newly designated Neighborhood Centers, in new and expanded Urban Centers, and along frequent transit corridors.

That’s the map included in a city report on the proposals, which we wrote about after the city released them in January. That story led residents of 39th SW north of Morgan in upper Morgan Junction [map] to look into what was planned for their street – using the city’s interactive map.

They discovered, Scott Roberts told us, a dramatic contrast between their side of 39th remaining Neighborhood Residential, and what the other side of their street would be zoned for, Lowrise 2. He provided these before and (potentially) after views to demonstrate what he called an “abrupt zoning edge”:

We talked with him and neighbors along their street recently, after one of those neighbors contacted WSB. Their blocks of 39th have many long-time residents; Roberts and his wife have been there 26 years; another neighbor who joined the conversation has been there 29 years; yet another has lived there more than 80 years. (Some newcomers too; yet another told us they’ve lived there three years.) The neighbors have dinners and take trips together and consider each other family. “We’ve put our hearts and souls into this neighborhood,” Roberts says, expecting to live in their 1912-built home for the rest of their lives.

They also expected it would remain a quiet, not-so-dense neighborhood. And they think the proposed zoning change on the west side of the street is based on a mistaken view of how the area fits into the future vision.

They say their street, a long stretch of 39th SW between Holly and Juneau, doesn’t qualify as a “corridor”; it’s just east of Fauntleroy, but buses don’t run there. The closest bus route is the 128 on the SW Morgan hill at the south end of their street. Roberts has done copious research; he and neighbors commented when the proposal was reviewed by the city Planning Commission last month. He’s contacted multiple city offices; so far, he’s heard back from Brennon Staley with the Office of Planning and Community Development, plus an offer to chat with District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka during his in-district “office hours.”

In correspondence with Staley, Roberts noted it’s not just about height but also about other factors including a 50 percent reduction in required setback in Lowrise 2 – five feet, compared to ten feet for NR – compared to Neighborhood Residential, plus what he describes as “predatory developer pressure,” with property owners already being besieged by builders wanting to buy their homes, even before the rezoning is approved.

Staley’s replies included that the zoning difference was “fairly minor,” with four-story “stacked flats” actually allowable in both zones, plus the observation that the street is 60 feet wide, which he suggested provides “significant separation.”

If the zoning difference is “fairly minor,” Roberts countered to Staley via email, then why rezone at all?” What was “single-family” has already been upzoned, on this block and throughout the city, to at least four units on most if not all parcels, and some neighbors already have added “backyard cottages” (detached accessory dwelling units aka DADUs). Jeff, the 29-year resident, says he’s always been “excited about growth” and even recalled voting for the monorail expansion that once was planned to end at a station half a mile away.

Roberts and his neighbors also say they’re aghast that this change was proposed for their neighborhood – and other changes in other neighborhoods – without direct notification. They’ve been making flyers to circulate. And they’re hoping to convince city leaders to change the plan for their block, as they did with boundaries for some Neighborhood Centers, such as Endolyne before the proposed Centers and Corridors legislation came out.

The ultimate decision is up to the City Council, which starts the review next week and is expected to finalize the Centers and Corridors legislation in July. If you have anything to say about the plan, Roberts and his neighbors note, “Time is of the essence.”

HOW TO GET INVOLVED: Basic info on the Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan, and its baseline meeting schedule, can be found here. When individual meeting agendas are set – usually a few days in advice – you’ll find them here. Don’t know how to contact councilmembers? Go here.

Admiral, Fauntleroy neighborhood gatherings, West Seattle Community Orchestras concert, dine-out fundraiser, more for your Tuesday

March 10, 2026 9:59 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Sunrise photo by Mike Burns)

Here are our event notes/reminders/listings for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

FREE PLAYSPACE AT CHURCH OF NAZARENE: Open until noon for little ones and their caregivers. (42nd SW and SW Juneau)

KALEIDOSCOPE PLAY & LEARN: This weekly event at at Bridge School Cooperative Elementary is happening today, 10 am-noon. (10300 28th SW)

SUPPORT SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE CULINARY STUDENTS: Otter’s Den Food Truck pop-up 10:30 am–12:30 pm – Clock Tower main campus square. (6000 16th SW)

POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: New postcard-writers as well as returnees are welcome at this weekly advocacy gathering, 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). Sign up here before you go, if this is your first time.

ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Noon Tuesdays, lunch meetings at West Seattle Golf Course, today with artist Saya Moriyasu . (4470 35th SW)

CHESS CLUB: All levels welcome to play! 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.

OTHER EVENTS AT THE CENTER: Dozens every week! Go here for the full Center for Active Living calendar.

CITY COUNCIL: At 2 pm, the council holds its main weekly meeting. Today’s agenda explains how to comment and/or watch.

WHERE DOES IT GO? Visit High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond) between 2 and 4 pm to get practical advice on reducing waste.

HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: 3:30 pm baseball jamboree with Chief Sealth IHS, Nathan Hale HS, Cedarcrest HS at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).

TILDEN DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: 4-8 pm, get food from/at West Wings (2329 California SW) and tell them you’re supporting Tilden School (WSB sponsor) so they’ll get a share of the proceeds!

RESTAURANT POP-UP: Crave is at The Neighborhood, now every Tuesday (6503 California SW), 4-8 pm or until sold out.

DROP-IN HOMEWORK HELP: 4-5:45 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).

KINDERGARTEN TOUR: Fairmount Park Elementary (3800 SW Findlay) welcomes prospective kindergarteners and their families tonight, 5-6 pm. No RSVP necessary.

DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-8 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $15 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases.

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t bring your own.

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 6 pm board meeting at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW).

WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS: First of two free concerts this week! 6 pm at Chief Sealth IHS (2600 SW Thistle).

WESTIES RUN CLUB SPECIAL RUN: The club is teaming up with Orca Running Club at 6 pm at Lincoln Park‘s Little League field. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

WEST SEATTLE WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS: Monthly gathering, 6 pm at West Seattle Coworking (9030 35th SW; WSB sponsor).

TRACK RUN WITH WEST SEATTLE RUNNER: Meet up by 6:15 pm at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for WSR’s free weekly track run.

OPEN CHOIR REHEARSALS: 6:30 pm Tuesdays at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (3940 41st SW), come sing with the Boeing Employees Choir, even if you don’t work for Boeing – email in advance to RSVP.

ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Come see what’s up – and what’s coming up – in the neighborhood, and meet more neighbors! 7 pm at Admiral HUB (4320 SW Hill), with special guests from the city’s CARE Team.

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING: Weekly lessons continue, 7 pm at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), details in our calendar listing.

WOMEN’S MEDITATION CIRCLE: Weekly small-group meditation at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034-A California SW), 7 pm. Our calendar listing has info on registering before you go.

BINGO: Play free Tuesday night Belle of the Balls Bingo at The Skylark, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

TRIVIA X 5: Five places where you can play trivia on Tuesdays – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW), Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 pm and 8 pm … 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7 pm at Admiral Pub, free, prizes. (2306 California SW) … Trivia at Christos on Alki (2508 Alki SW), 7:15 pm.

If you are organizing an event, class, performance, gathering, etc., tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar – just email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Tuesday updates, second day of northbound 1st Avenue South Bridge closure, crashes

March 10, 2026 5:59 am

| 22 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

7:20 AM: Thanks for the tips about the crash scene cleanup with City Light on northbound 35th north of Thistle. Log shows it happened just after 3 am. No major injuries. (Added: SFD says they treated a 19-year-old and that he was taken to the hospital by private ambulancw; they confirm the driver crashed into a utility pole.)

7:46 AM Texter reports Admiral, bridge-bound, is backed up in a big way.

7:55 AM: High bridge EB crash, center lane by NB 99 exit, no injuries.

8:18 AM; Texter reports Delridge to the bridge is backed up seriously too. (But not their H Line bus.)

8:34 AM: Fauntleroy backup to the bridge too.

8:36 AM: SDOT says bridge crash has cleared.

8:51 AM: Reports keep coming in about backups on other routes. West Marginal Way too (texted photo below):

9:03 AM: Police radio reports a crash at Avalon/Bradford (just south of the bridge).

Earlier:

5:59 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, March 10, 2026, second day of a 3-day repair closure for the northbound 1st Avenue South Bridge. The South Park Bridge is the major detour for those coming from the south:

The West Seattle low bridge is an alternative too.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page..

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET

Rain/snow mix possible this morning, says the forecast again – high in the mid-40s, brisk breeze again too. Daylight Saving Time is here, so our sunrise is at 7:31 am; sunset at 7:07 pm. Ten days until spring!

TRANSIT TODAY

West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service, winter schedule.

Washington State Ferries – Check WSF’s alert page for any changes to the 3-boat schedule.

Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule and routes.

MORE SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!