District 20 Representative Peter Abbarno
By Peter Abbarno
For the C-C Chamber of Commerce
The 2026 Washington state legislative session is now underway, and once again, lawmakers face serious decisions that will impact employers, workers, families, and communities across our state. For those of us representing Southwest Washington, the focus must remain on economic stability, public safety, affordability, and accountable government.
As a legislator and as a longtime advocate for small businesses and working families, my priorities this session reflect the real concerns I hear from employers and community leaders across Centralia, Chehalis, and the surrounding region.
Bills I Sponsored: Practical Reforms That Matter Locally
This session, I have sponsored legislation aimed at improving fairness, safety, and regulatory balance:
House Bill 2336 — Independent Medical Exams
This bill addresses the use of independent medical examinations in the workers’ compensation system to ensure fairness, transparency, and integrity for both injured workers and employers. Predictable and trustworthy systems help control costs and reduce disputes that burden businesses and employees alike.
House Bill 2343 — Game Farms and Water Quality
HB 2343 provides clarity and balance in water quality regulations affecting publicly managed game farms. It is important that government agencies, like the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, which manages Bob Oke Game Farm in Centralia, be required to comply with all water quality and disposal standards applicable to private entities.
House Bill 2430 — Crime Victim Penalty Assessments
Public safety remains essential to a healthy economy. This legislation would make it mandatory for courts to impose legal financial obligations for criminals committing domestic violence, child sex crimes, and crimes against persons. Those funds would be used to support victims.
Supporting Pro-Business and Community-Focused Legislation
In addition to bills I sponsored, I am supporting legislation that aligns with the Chamber’s priorities of affordability, workforce support, and community investment, including:
HB 2121 — Property tax relief for nonprofits and schools
HB 2126 — Fuel tax exemptions for school buses
HB 2130 — Repeal of newly enacted 2025 taxes
HB 2133 — Tax relief for senior citizen centers
HB 2135 — Adaptive housing tax preferences
HB 2167 — Sales tax reductions
HB 2188 & HB 2218 — Reforms to industrial insurance rates and workers’ compensation medical care
HB 2317 & HB 2318 — Early learning licensing improvements and Early Achievers awards
HB 2338 — Community-scale weatherization projects to reduce energy costs and improve housing efficiency
Each of these proposals reflects a commitment to keeping Washington competitive, affordable, and responsive to the needs of employers, workers, and families.
A Commitment to Economic Growth and Accountability
Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. When government overregulates, overspends, or shifts costs onto employers, it threatens jobs and community stability. This session, I will continue advocating for:
• Regulatory certainty for employers
• Tax policies that encourage investment and job creation
• Workforce development and early learning support
• Strong public safety and victim-centered justice
• Transparency and accountability in state government
The Centralia–Chehalis Chamber of Commerce plays a critical role in shaping our regional economy, and I value its partnership and feedback. I welcome continued dialogue throughout the session and remain committed to representing the interests of Southwest Washington in Olympia.
Together, we can keep our communities safe, our economy growing, and our state focused on solutions — not headlines.
Rep. Peter Abbarno,
R-Chehalis, represents the 20th Legislative District and is the House Republican Caucus Chair.
