City monitoring proposed legislation that would complicate camping bans

The legislation would bar local jurisdictions from enforcing camping bans, unless they provide "adequate" shelter beds. State Rep. Adison Richards, D-Gig Harbor, voted against it.

By: Conor Wilson

Outlets: Gig Harbor Now

Published: February 16, 2026

Words: 1,069

Last Updated: 1 month ago

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Elected officials from Gig Harbor are leery of a state House bill that would prohibit cities and counties from criminalizing camping on public property unless the jurisdictions have adequate shelter beds available.

Shea Smiley, the city of Gig Harbor’s housing, health and human services manager, described House Bill 2489 as a one-size-fits-all approach during a City Council meeting last month. The bill would require all jurisdictions to follow the same approach and is essentially …

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