Kirkland council hears 2026 session update; moves to support bills restricting 3D-printed ghost guns

Interim government-affairs manager Anuranna Campbell updated Council on the 2026 Washington short session and the city's bill-tracking priorities. Campbell said staff has reviewed roughly 300 bills and highlighted bills the legislative work group has signed in on or flagged for council awareness, including measures affecting tourism-promotion areas, weatherization, affordable-housing financing, micromobility definitions, and a set of bills with potential local land-use impacts.

Council elevated several measures for action. After discussion, Council moved and approved a staff recommendation to sign in in support of House Bills 2320 and 2321, two companion bills aimed at constraining the manufacture and distribution of 3D-printed firearms (often described as "ghost guns"). The council motion to sign in in support passed on a recorded assent.

Members also focused discussion on Senate Bill 6026 (and a companion House bill) that would bar cities from requiring ground-floor retail in certain commercial and mixed-use zones. Deputy Mayor Black and others warned SB6026 could undermine neighborhood-serving retail, walkability, and economic development, and said it would be a major talking point during AWC City Action Days. Councilmember Arnold (legislative work-group chair) asked the work group to pursue clarity and to brief Council on recommended positions for other flagged bills, including public-defense caseload standard legislation that would affect local budgets and implementation timelines.

Campbell said the work group will continue to refine recommended positions and meet legislators during upcoming advocacy days; staff will add the city's recommended positions to the bill tracker and return with updates as the session progresses.