The 2026 Legislative Session began on January 12, kicking off a 60-day short session during the second year of the biennium. During this session, the legislature will adjust last year’s budget, continue unfinished legislation, and introduce new policies. BrightSpark is collaborating with Child Care Aware of Washington to support key priorities, including protecting Washington’s early learning safety net, codifying the cost of quality care rate model, and advocating for new revenue to stabilize the state’s economy.

BrightSpark plans to provide updates on these priorities and their implications for the community throughout the session. An Advocacy Day is scheduled for February 3, 2026, from 9 AM to 4 PM at United Churches of Olympia, inviting community members to participate.

As legislation progresses, BrightSpark will track bill developments using a partner’s bill tracker, offering weekly updates on early learning bills. Advocacy Alerts will notify the public about time-sensitive actions regarding specific legislation. BrightSpark encourages advocacy year-round through its Advocacy Pods, providing monthly updates and meetings for supporters. Financial contributions from the community are essential to sustain BrightSpark’s advocacy efforts.