SPEaC Change:
Policy & Legislation
SPEaC Change emerged out of a combination of the civic engagement work, environmental justice work, and regional community organizing work of different but connected teams. This program seeks to effect change not just through individual change but through larger environmental changes. We do this through voter registration, community education, candidate forums, legislative advocacy, social media campaigns, coalition building, immigration support services, and regional organizing.
2026 UTOPIA Washington's Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Voter Guide & General Election Voter Guide
Introducing UTOPIA Washington’s Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Voter Guide & General Election Voter Guide!
Our communities deserve access to clear, culturally relevant, and easy-to-understand information about the voting process. These nonpartisan guides were created to help Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community members better understand voter eligibility, registration, ballots, citizenship requirements, and voting rights in Washington State.
Whether you’re a first-time voter, returning to the polls, or simply looking to better understand how elections work, these guides include important questions to ask yourself before registering to vote, along with resources to help you feel informed and empowered.
Your voice matters. Your story matters. Your vote matters.
Explore the full Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Voter Guide and General Election Voter Guide by clicking the links below, and join us in building a more informed and engaged community. See you at the polls!
Rent Stabilization (HB 1217 SB 5222)
Status: 4/9/25 – Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Rent stabilization is a critical step toward addressing the housing crisis and ensuring stability for families and individuals across Washington communities. When rents rise unpredictably or excessively, it creates housing insecurity, displacing families, deepening poverty, and exacerbating inequities in our communities.
- Protect homeowners and tenants by stabilizing annual rent increases to no more than 7% per year.
- Require 6 months notice for rent increase of 3% or more.
- Ensure that fees count as rent for the purposes of calculating an increase.
- Limit move-in fees to the equivalent of one month’s rent or less.
- Limit late fees to no more than 1.5% of the monthly rent.
Bill tracker: HB 1217 Washington State Legislature
School District Compliance (SB 5179)
Status: Passed Senate, in the House
This bill is designed to ensure that all school boards across Washington State fully implement and adhere to existing state anti-discrimination policies. By reinforcing compliance and accountability at the district level, SB 5179 seeks to strengthen and expand protections for all students particularly those from historically marginalized communities so that every student has equal access to a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment.
Bill tracker: SB 5179 Washington State Legislature
Increasing Access to Hormone Therapy (HB 1971)
Status: 4/8/25 – Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
This bill improves access to gender-affirming care by requiring health insurance plans that cover prescription hormone therapy to provide reimbursement for a full 12-month supply in a single refill, when prescribed. By eliminating the need for monthly or more frequent pharmacy visits, this policy helps reduce barriers to consistent care, particularly for trans and gender-diverse individuals who may face stigma, transportation challenges, or disruptions in coverage. HB 1971 supports continuity of care, bodily autonomy, and greater dignity in accessing essential medications.
Passed house and senate
Bill Tracker: HB 1971 Washington State Legislature
Promoting Supportive Schools (HB 1296)
Status: 04/9/25 – Passed to Rules Committee for second reading and placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
This bill builds on I-2081 by expanding student privacy protections, specifically strengthening safeguards for transgender and gender-diverse youth. It also introduces a new, comprehensive statement of student rights to help foster safer, more inclusive school environments.
Passed house and senate
Environmental Justice and Clean Energy Development (HB 1303 and SB 5380)
Status: Both this companion bills died in first committee hearing.
- HB 1303 strengthens environmental justice by requiring impact assessments for government projects in pollution-burdened communities. It ensures public engagement and transparency, preventing disproportionate harm to vulnerable populations.
- SB 5380 streamlines the approval process for clean energy projects, creating an Interagency Clean Energy Siting Council, expediting environmental reviews, and prioritizing projects of statewide significance
Policy Priorities
UTOPIA Washington (WA) is committed to advancing the rights and well-being of LGBTQIA communities, particularly queer and trans people of color. Our policy priorities center on the decriminalization of survival economies, advocating for the safety and autonomy of marginalized communities. We work tirelessly to dismantle systems of criminalization, empowering individuals to live with dignity and without fear of discrimination or prosecution. Additionally, we are dedicated to environmental justice, ensuring that all communities, especially those historically excluded, have access to a healthy environment and the resources needed to thrive. UTOPIA WA envisions a future where LGBTQIA rights, decriminalization, and environmental justice are prioritized in policy and practice, creating a more inclusive and equitable world for all.
LGBTQIA+
UTOPIA Washington (WA) is a trans-led organization that prioritizes the needs and rights of LGBTQIA+ communities, with a special focus on queer and trans people of color. As a fa’afafine and trans-led organization, we lead with lived experiences, amplifying the voices of trans individuals in shaping policies that impact our community. Our work focuses on creating safe, affirming spaces and advocating for the dignity and autonomy of all LGBTQIA+ individuals, especially those who face intersectional oppression. By centering trans leadership, UTOPIA WA ensures that our advocacy is grounded in the experiences of those most marginalized, striving to build a world where all LGBTQIA+ people can live freely, without fear or discrimination.
Decriminalization
UTOPIA Washington (WA) stands firmly in support of the decriminalization of sex work, recognizing it as a crucial step toward ensuring the safety, dignity, and autonomy of those involved in survival economies. We believe in a world where sex work is treated as labor, and workers are entitled to the same rights, protections, and respect as any other. Our approach is rooted in harm reduction, advocating for policies that prioritize the well-being of sex workers while actively combating human trafficking. We are committed to dismantling systems that criminalize and stigmatize marginalized communities, working toward a future where sex workers are empowered, protected, and free from violence, coercion, and exploitation. Through education, support, and policy advocacy, we aim to create a world where safety and justice for all are realized.
Environmental
UTOPIA Washington (WA) is dedicated to advancing environmental justice, particularly for marginalized communities who are disproportionately impacted by environmental degradation. Our work focuses on creating equitable solutions that address the harmful effects of climate change, pollution, and environmental inequality. We advocate for policies that protect vulnerable communities, ensuring access to clean air, water, and sustainable resources. By amplifying the voices of those most affected, we aim to create a future where environmental justice is not just a goal but a reality, prioritizing the health, well-being, and resilience of all communities, especially those historically excluded from environmental decision-making.
