Jan. 3, 2026 — Tumwater, Wash. Let’s Go Washington, a Redmond-based political committee founded by Brian Heywood, filed 416,201 signatures for Initiative 26-001, aimed at restoring parental rights in schools, and 445,187 signatures for Initiative 26-638, seeking to bar biological males from girls’ sports teams, at the Secretary of State’s office.
Both totals exceed the recommended minimum of 386,000 signatures needed for verification ahead of the legislative session starting January 12.
The initiatives, first announced in Redmond in September 2025, target changes made during the 2025 session.
Initiative 26-001 would repeal provisions of House Bill 1296, which altered Initiative 2081, by restoring parents’ access to student medical records within 10 days instead of 45 and requiring schools to notify parents about services provided to their children.
Initiative 26-638 would require physical exams to verify biological sex for participation in girls’ sports, overturning a 2007 state policy allowing transgender athletes to compete based on gender identity.
Heywood described the measures as common sense.
“This is not a partisan issue, this is a common sense issue,” Heywood said, noting about half the signers were independents or Democrats. “This has broad support.”
On parental rights, he added,
“It’ll allow parents to know and require schools to tell them what’s going on and not keep secrets from parents.”
For sports fairness:
“For girls I think it gives them protection in their sport. I think that one’s obvious and immediate.”
Opponents raised safety concerns for vulnerable students. Gender Justice League board member Sophia Lee said:
“Let’s Go Washington is playing political games with the lives of vulnerable trans and queer kids. While most parents are loving and supportive, the reality is not all kids are safe at home, and need to turn to a trusted teacher or school counselor for help.”
Middle school teacher Shannon McCann worried the shorter records timeline would strain school resources.
WE DID IT! pic.twitter.com/0Z5qYfXj0f
— Let’s Go WA (@letsgowa) January 5, 2026
The Secretary of State’s office will verify signatures over three to four weeks, providing provisional certification to lawmakers. The Legislature can enact the measures, reject them for the November ballot, or propose alternatives.
Let’s Go Washington has raised over $16 million since 2022, with about 96% from in-state donors.
This marks the third year lawmakers will address parental rights and transgender student issues.
