WashingtonSB 61892025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Changing the deadline for forming a public facilities district for regional aquatics and sports facilities.

Sponsored By: Jessica Bateman (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

How district boards are chosen

Single‑city districts have a five‑member board. The city appoints two members, and three come from local group recommendations. Multi‑city and city‑county districts have seven‑member boards. Three are appointed by the councils, and four come from local group recommendations such as chambers, labor councils, and nearby neighborhood groups. For certain multi‑city districts, boards are odd‑numbered (up to nine), each city gets equal seats, and a majority from each city must agree before any measure goes to voters.

District taxing powers and legal limits

A public facilities district is a municipal corporation and a taxing district. It can ask voters to approve funding, including taxes or other revenues allowed by law. The district can hire staff, sign contracts, and buy, lease, or sell property. Any lawsuit challenging a district’s creation must be filed within 30 days after it is created.

No deadline to form new districts

Beginning June 11, 2026, the law removes the July 1, 2026 cutoff to create certain additional PFDs. At least three neighboring cities or towns with 160,000 people combined, and each with its own earlier PFD, can create another district. Two or more neighboring cities or towns, or those cities and their county, that formed a PFD before can also create an additional one. Existing districts keep operating, and not all original participants must join the new district.

Who can create sports districts

Beginning June 11, 2026, cities and towns in counties with under 1,000,000 people can form public facilities districts (PFDs) for regional aquatics and sports. Neighboring cities or towns can join together under an interlocal agreement. Cities and towns can also partner with their county to form a joint district that may include unincorporated county areas. A city in a county over 1,000,000 people can form a PFD only if it has 80,000–115,000 residents and started a regional center before July 1, 2008. District borders match the members’ areas and exclude cities that do not join.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Jessica Bateman
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

Bob Hasegawa
Democratic • Senate
T'wina Nobles
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 140 • No: 3

House vote • 3/4/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 91 • No: 3 • Other: 4

Senate vote • 2/11/2026