Washington Lawmakers Propose Bill to Prohibit Local Bans on Homeless Encampments

The legislation would restrict cities and counties from criminalizing camping on public property.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 1:55am

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Washington lawmakers are considering a bill that would prohibit local governments from enforcing laws that ban 'life-sustaining activities' like sleeping, resting, and protecting personal property on public property unless adequate shelter space is available. The measure is aimed at preventing cities from sweeping homeless encampments, and would allow lawsuits if such laws are enforced.

Why it matters

The proposed legislation is part of a broader debate over how to address homelessness in Washington state, where the homeless population has risen 25% in the past year. While some argue the bill would protect the rights of the homeless, city officials say it would hamper their ability to address public safety concerns.

The details

House Bill 2489 would prohibit local governments from enforcing laws banning 'life-sustaining activities' like sleeping, resting, and protecting personal property on public property unless they can prove adequate shelter space is available. The bill defines 'life-sustaining activities' broadly and would prevent cities from sweeping homeless encampments. It would also require shelters to accommodate pets, partners, relatives, and personal belongings. People and organizations could sue if governments enforce anti-camping laws that violate the bill, though they couldn't seek monetary damages.

  • The House Housing Committee advanced the bill on Monday, February 5, 2026.
  • If passed and signed into law, the legislation would take effect in June 2026.

The players

Rep. Mia Gregerson

The Democratic sponsor of House Bill 2489.

Rep. Adison Richards

The sole Democratic member of the House Housing Committee to vote against the legislation.

Rep. Joe Timmons

A moderate Democratic representative from Bellingham who initially had concerns about the bill but ultimately supported it.

Rep. Sam Low

The top Republican on the House Housing Committee, who expressed doubts about the bill's feasibility.

Gov. Bob Ferguson

The governor of Washington who has proposed $244 million in additional state funding for housing and homelessness programs.

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What they’re saying

“Being homeless is not a crime.”

— Rep. Mia Gregerson, Bill sponsor

“Ultimately, I believe we are sent here to solve problems. There might be no problem more complex than how to support people experiencing homelessness. And I think that one way that we can try to address this problem is by not having a patchwork system.”

— Rep. Joe Timmons, Moderate Democratic representative

“It's going to be very difficult for any city or county to accomplish what this bill sets out to do, which I think is going to create a lot of lawsuits. Taxpayers are going to be on the hook for a lot of money, I believe, because of this policy.”

— Rep. Sam Low, Top Republican on House Housing Committee

What’s next

The full Washington state legislature will now consider House Bill 2489, and if passed, it will go to Governor Bob Ferguson for signature into law.

The takeaway

The proposed legislation reflects the ongoing debate over how to balance the rights of the homeless with the concerns of local governments about public safety and the impact of visible encampments. The outcome of this bill could set a precedent for how other states approach this complex issue.