2026 Climate Legislative Priorities
The 2026 legislative session is a critical moment for protecting health, reducing pollution, and strengthening climate resilience across Washington. Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility is advancing evidence-based policies that reduce preventable illness, protect overburdened communities, and ensure climate investments deliver real health benefits
Access to cooling and mitigating the impacts of extreme heat
Extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. Heat exposure increases the risk of heart attacks, kidney disease, and long-term neurological damage — especially for renters, low-income households, children, and medically vulnerable people. Bills that address these issues include:
Addressing the harmful effects of indoor and outdoor air pollution
Air pollution contributes to asthma, heart and lung disease, adverse birth outcomes, and premature death. Communities already overburdened by pollution face the greatest risks. Bills that address these issues include:
Protecting the state’s climate investments
Climate investments reduce asthma, heart disease, and premature deaths while supporting resilience in communities facing the greatest health burdens. As we work on the state’s budget, we will focus on:
Protecting Climate Commitment Act funding
Ensuring investments deliver measurable health and equity benefits
Home electrification and appliance rebates
Affordable housing energy efficiency
Clean energy financing via the State Green Bank
Expanded intercity passenger rail
