Legislative Alert for January 22, 2024

This is the third week of the  2024 Legislative Session, which opened on  Monday, January 8, 2024, and is scheduled to end on  March 7, 2024.  It is the second year in the 2023-2024 biennium, and is a 60 day session.

Lobby Day / Week – Meet virtually or in-person with your State Legislators Monday, January 22 – Friday, January 26

At a time that works for you!

In-person lobbying with NOW will be at 10:00 am on January 23 in Olympia!  Meet our representative in the Capitol Rotunda - look for the “NOW” Banner.         

 Just come and be yourself.  You make the difference.

FIRST, SCHEDULE A VIRTUAL APPOINTMENT with your two State Representatives and Senator for a time that works for you during the week of January 22 - January  26.   It’s simple – Call or email your two State Representatives’ and your State Senator’s office.  A list of phone numbers and emails for their offices are located at https://app.leg.wa.gov/Rosters/Members or call the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000 and leave a message for your legislators.   If you need help in identifying your legislators – Find your district on the web at https://app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/  and enter your address.  You can also have a friend or two join you for your meeting with your legislators.

THEN -  MEET WITH YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS at the time you scheduled.  Meetings will be approximately 15 minutes with each of your legislators.  

Top THREE Actions  of the Week!

Washington Future Fund Program

HB 1094 / SB 5125 - Creating the Washington future fund program.

Sponsors:  Representatives Stonier, Harris; Senators Trudeau, Rivers

HB 1094 / SB 5125 direct appropriations from the state general fund to the Washington Future Fund Account based on the number of those born into poverty in a particular year, available for eligible claimants at age 18 through 35 for the purpose of education, purchasing a home, or starting a business in Washington state.

ACTION:  Contact your Representatives to Vote PRO on  HB 1094

ACTION:   Contact your Senators to vote PRO on  SB 5125 

Working Families Tax Credit

HB 1075 – Expanding eligibility for the working families' tax credit to everyone age 18 and older.

Sponsors: Thai, Walen

SUPPORT

HB 1075 would expand eligibility for low-income families where individuals have filed an income tax return for the prior federal tax year and the individual filing is at least 18 years of age or older.  Under current IRS rules individuals without children under the age of 24 are in many cases not eligible for this tax credit.  

ACTION:  Contact your Representatives to Vote PRO on HB 1075

ACTION:  Sign up to Testify or Register a PRO Position in Committee:
House Appropriations

Debt and Divorce

SB 5863 Prohibits credit reporting on delinquent accounts due to divorce.  

Sponsors: Senators Fotunado, Dozier

SUPPORT

Credit reporting has an incredible impact on people's lives. According to the National Consumer Law Center, in divorce, late payments will appear on both parties’ consumer reports and can impede future attempts to obtain credit. Thus prohibiting credit reporting at a time of financial vulnerability, like delinquency due to divorce, is a positive (see attached from NCLC for more information).

ACTION:  Contact your Representatives to Vote PRO on SB 5863

ACTION:  Sign up to Testify or Register Your PRO Position in Committee:  

House Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade Committee

You can contact your legislators by calling the Legislative Hotline at 1 800-562-6000.  You can also contact them by email using this format:  firstname.lastname@leg.wa.gov.  If you need to look up your legislators, use the following link to find them: http://app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/

Committee members for House and Senate Committees are listed at the end of this alert.  We have also included hyperlinks on each of the bill actions below, which will take you to the specific  comment page for that bill.  You can enter your support or opposition to the bill and include a comment (up to 1000 characters).

Comments can be made directly to scheduled committee meetings here:  https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi

We hope you find our Legislative Alert informative and helpful to you in your grassroots activist and lobbying work.  Our team spends dozens of volunteer hours each week doing research, writing, and updating this information, and we hope you will consider donating to the Washington State National Organization for Women so we can continue to provide this and other valuable services that benefit women.  

Legislative Activity for the week of January 22, 2024

Violence Against Women

Comments can be made directly to scheduled committee meetings here:  https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi

Human trafficking

HB 1937- Requiring certain health care providers to report suspected victims of human trafficking to law enforcement.

Sponsors: Shavers, Duerr

SUPPORT

HB 1937 amends existing state laws concerning trafficking in several places to require various medical and health practitioners as well as hospitals to report their reasonable suspicion that a patient is a victim of trafficking to the appropriate law enforcement agency. The Office of Crime Victim Advocacy shall supply information on recognizing victims of trafficking.

STATUS: Assigned to House Committee on Health and Wellness.

ACTION: Contact Representatives on this committee to ask for a hearing. Let your Representatives know you support HB 1937

HB 1958 - Concerning nonconsensual removal of or tampering with a sexually protective device.        

Sponsors: Berry, Orwall

SUPPORT        

HB 1958 makes removing or tampering with a sexually protective device without the knowledge or consent of the partner open to civil action with penalties and compensatory damages. Creates a civil cause of action for non consensual removal of or tampering with a sexually protective device, or for misleading a person into believing that a sexually protective device was used. Prescribes penalties, including statutory damages of $5,000 per violation, and requires the court to award costs and reasonable attorneys' fees to a prevailing plaintiff.

STATUS: Passed out of the  House Civil Rights and Judiciary on Jan.19 and will now be referred to the House Rules Committee where it is eligible to be scheduled for a Floor Vote.

ACTION: Contact your Representatives in the House Rules Committee and tell them you support HB 1958 and ask them to schedule a floor vote to pass it on to the Senate..

HB 2076 - Addressing crimes involving human trafficking or sexual exploitation.

Sponsors: Orwall, Mosbrucker

SUPPORT

HB 2076 edits given RCW’s on trafficking with a new section which declares superior courts must assess the fees stipulated in these cases and an audit done to see that counties, cities and towns are using those fees for the trafficking education and prevention for which they were intended. It further establishes a commercially sexually exploited children task force statewide to address this issue. It will be convened by the Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Commerce and will make recommendations to the legislature on statewide laws and practices.

STATUS: Assigned to House Committee on Community Safety, Justice and Re-entry. Scheduled for Public Hearing  on Jan. 16.   Now eligible to be scheduled for an executive session.

ACTION: Let your Representatives on the Committee know you support HB 2076. Ask them to schedule an executive session and to vote it out of committee.

SB 6006 - Supporting victims of human trafficking and sexual abuse.

Sponsors: Dhingra, Wagoner

SUPPORT

SB 6006 improves how we identify and respond to victims, provide them with continued care, and bring justice.  Makes our state consistent with the federal Justice for Victims Trafficking Act so we can continue to receive federal funding to do this crucial work.

STATUS: Referred to Ways & Means

ACTION: Contact your senators in the Ways & Means Committee and let them know you support SB6006. Ask them to schedule an open hearing and executive session to pass it out of committee.

SB 5937 - Supporting crime victims and witnesses by promoting victim-centered, trauma-informed responses in the legal system.

Sponsors: Dhingra, Braun

SUPPORT

SB 5937  is an omnibus bill to promote a victim-centered, trauma-informed response to sexual assault in our legal system drawing on the recommendations of the Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) Task Force and experts in the field. It streamlines eligibility for crime victim benefits, covers some of victims’ costs for forensic and examinations, expands some protections, improves state and local teams to respond to sexual assault, and ensures that children age 13 and up can consent for forensic sexual examinations and examinations for sexually transmitted infections — consistent with current law on the age of medical consent.

STATUS: Referred to the Senate Ways & Means Committee where it is eligible to be scheduled for an Open Hearing and Executive Session to be voted out of committee.

ACTION: Contact senators in the Senate Ways & Means Committee to tell them you support SB 5937.  Ask them to schedule an open hearing and executive session  to pass it out of committee.

HB 2010 - Keeping children safe from family violence.

Sponsors: Rule, Mosbrucker

SUPPORT

HB 2010 adds new sections in accord with the federal Keeping Children Safe From Violence Act pertaining to training for judges and others whose expertise is significant to custody or a child’s case, to the use of expert testimony in cases where abuse has been raised, and in what can or cannot be included for visitation and other parental rights.  

STATUS: First Reading referred to House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary.

ACTION: Urge Representatives to hold open hearing on HB 2010 and let them know you support it.

HB 2048 - Concerning supervision of domestic violence in criminal sentencing.

Sponsors: Mosbrucker, Goodman

SUPPORT
HB  2048 removes the requirement under the Sentencing Reform Act (SRA) that domestic violence was "pleaded and proven" in specified instances. Includes editing in several RCW’s such as Domestic violence assault substituted for “where domestic violence is pleaded and proven”.

STATUS: Passed out of the House Committee on Safety, Justice, and Reentry on Jan. 18 and will now be referred to the House Rules Committee where it will be eligible to be scheduled for a floor vote.

ACTION: Let your House Rules Representative know you support HB 2048.  Urge them to schedule a floor vote and to vote YES to pass it on to the Senate.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People

SB 5477 - Implementing the recommendations of the Washington state missing and murdered indigenous women and people task force.

Sponsors: Torres, Trudeau

SUPPORT

SB 5477 reestablishes the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Task Force through June 30, 2025. Requires certain entities initiating and conducting an investigation of a reported missing person to enter the case into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System if the missing person has not been found within 30 days of the report, or at any time the investigating agency suspects criminal activity as the basis for the person being missing.

STATUS: Placed in Senate Rule “X” file.  No longer eligible for consideration in this legislative session.

ACTION:.  The epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People in our country is not a problem that has been solved, and the Native population in our state deserves the support of its fellow citizens during this horrific time in their history. Let your Senators on the Senate Rules Committee know you support SB 5477 and ask them to re-establish this task force in 2025.

Child Marriage

        HB1455 - Eliminating child marriage.

        Sponsors: Stonier, Berry

SUPPORT

Provides that a marriage entered into in which either person has not attained the age of 18 years is void.

Eliminates provisions authorizing a court to waive the age requirement on a showing of necessity.

STATUS:  Jan. 10 first reading held in the Senate, referred to the Senate Committee on Law and Justice.

ACTION: Contact your Senators to tell them you support HB 1455 and ask them to schedule an open hearing and executive session to pass it out of committee.

Reproductive Rights and Healthcare

Comments can be made directly to scheduled committee meetings here:  https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi

Regulating Hospital Mergers - the “Keep Our Care Act”

HB 1263 - Concerning material changes to the operations and governance structure of participants in the healthcare marketplace.

Sponsors: Simons, Stonier

SUPPORT

This bill amends and adds a new section to RCW CHAPTER 19.390. Health entity mergers, acquisitions, and contracting affiliations must improve rather than harm access to affordable quality health care. This includes all reproductive care, gender affirming care, and end-of-life care.

STATUS: Referred to the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee

ACTION: Contact your Representatives in the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee and ask them to schedule an open hearing and executive session to move HB 1263 out of committee and to the floor. It is imperative to support this bill.

Reproductive Rights
        SHB 2115/SB 5960 - Prescription labels for medications used for abortions

Sponsors: Representatives Thai, Slatter; Senators Frame, Dhingra

SUPPORT

This amends RCW 18.64.246 and 69.41.050. Any container of prescribed medication shall have a label with information of pharmacy, prescriber, name of medicine and directions, and patient ID. This bill would allow NOT to have the name of prescriber, just their national ID # or health care facility.

STATUS: SBB 2115 passed out of the House Health Care and Wellness Committee on Jan 17   There appears to be no Fiscal Note, so the bill was now be referred to the House Rules Committee where it will be eligible to be scheduled for a floor vote.

SB 5960 is scheduled for executive session in the Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care on Tuesday, January 23 at 8:00 am.

ACTION: Contact your Representatives in the House Ruless Committee to tell  them you support HB 2115.  Ask them to schedule a floor vote and YES to move it on to Senate.
Contact your Senators on the Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care to tell them you support
SB 5960.  Ask them to vote YES in executive session to pass it out of committee.

Taxing Highly Compensated Hospital Employees to Raise Revenue for Low-Income Patients

SB 5767 - Excise Tax on annual compensation of highly compensated hospital employees

Sponsors: Randall, Rolfes 

SUPPORT

HG 5767 would help fund health care access by imposing an excise tax on highly compensated hospital employees because it is found that there is abundant wealth concentrated among particular companies and individuals including non-profit hospitals. It would redirect resources to those most vulnerable and in need of healthcare. 

STATUS:   Referred to the  Senate Ways and Means Committee on April 4, 2023.  Reintroduced and retained in present status on Jan 8, 2024. 

ACTION:  Contact your Senator on Ways and Means and ask them to schedule an open hearing and executive session for  SB 5767.

Improved Insurance Coverage

HB 1261 - Cost sharing for Diagnostic and Supplemental Breast Exam 

Sponsors: Walen, Ryu

SUPPORT

HB 1261 prohibits health insurance carriers from  imposing cost sharing on diagnostic mammography, MRI, or breast ultrasound.

STATUS:   Placed in the House Rules “X” file on January 8, 2024, and will not be sent to the floor of the House for further consideration.

ACTION:  There will be no further action on this bill this session..  Contact your legislators to tell them this issue is important to you, and ask if they will consider re-introducing SB 1261  next year.

HB 1979 - A bill capping epinephrine autoinjectors cost 

Sponsors: Paul, Leavitt

SUPPORT

Includes the cap of Insulin at $35/30 day supply. Health plans after 1/1/25 to cap asthma inhaler at $35/30 day supply and epinephrine auto injector at $35/2 pack for a total of 6 injectors/plan/year. 

STATUS:  Scheduled for executive session on Jan 17 and again on Jan 19 in the Committee for Healthcare and Wellness.   No action taken in either session.

ACTION:  Contact your representative on the Committee for Health & Wellness to tell them you support

HB 1979.  Ask them to vote YES to move it out of committee in executive session.

Diversity in Clinical Trials

SB 5388 - Improving Diversity in Clinical Trials

Sponsors: Rivers, Cleveland 

SUPPORT

SB 5388 Requires multiple Health Organizations to increase access to clinical trials and participation by members of under-represented communities.

STATUS:  Placed in the House Rules “X” file on January 8, 2024, and will not be sent to the floor of the House for further consideration.

ACTION:  There will be no further action on this bill this session.  Contact your legislators to tell them this issue is important to you, and ask if they will consider re-introducing a similar bill in 2025.

Mental Health

SB 5853        - Extending the crisis relief center model to provide behavioral health crisis services for minors

Sponsors: Dhingra, Wagoner

SUPPORT

SB 5853 expands to minors separate facilities in Crisis Relief Centers (CRC), a new type of community-based facility licensed or certified by the Dept. of Health open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, currently offering immediate mental health and substance abuse care for up to 24 hours to adults with referrals to further care.

Status: Just held a public hearing in the Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care

Action: Contact your senators to show your support SB 5853.  Ask them to schedule an executive session.

Universal Healthcare

ESJM 8006 - Requesting the Federal Government to create a Universal Health Care program. 

Sponsors: Hasegawa, Cleveland

SUPPORT

ESJM 8006 Petitions the federal government to create a universal health care program, partner with Washington State to implement a single-payer health system, or grant Washington State the appropriate waivers for the state to create a universal health care system

Amendment:  outlines proposed items for federal consideration, suggesting potential waivers for Washington state, and including statements on health care as a human right; updates the federal legislation number and expands the list of recipients to include the secretary of the US Dept. of Labor

STATUS:  ESJB 8006 passed the House on March 6, 2023.  The amended bill passed the Senate in a floor vote on January 17, and now will be returned to the House for concurrence on the amendment.

ACTION:  Contact your Representatives  in the House to tell them you support ESJM 8006.  Ask them to support the amended bill.

Budget/Revenue

Comments can be made directly to scheduled committee meetings here:  https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi

2024 is the second year of Washington state’s 2023-2025 biennial funding plan.  In 2023 a 2-year budget was adopted by both Chambers of the legislature and signed by the Governor.  This year, the Governor, the Senate and the House have each proposed Supplemental Budgets that outline proposed expenditures additional to the 2023-25 budget adopted.

Governor Inslee’s Proposed Supplemental Budget for 2024 was unveiled on December 13, 2023.  It includes additional spending of $70.9 billion.  These additional funds will be used for:

• additional behavioral healthier services to add 110 beds to Washington state behavioral health treatment facilities ($464 million),

• $64 million to address the opioid crisis, including funds for education and awareness, health engagement hubs, overdose prevention, treatment access, recovery supports, and help to Tribal communities that have been disproportionately affected by the opioid crisis,

• $140 million for housing and homelessness support, including the purchase of new housing and transitional housing that will be required to move more than 1,000  residents currently living in homeless encampments into encampments with housing resources.  1200 new units of housing will be provided.  Current funding will soon be depleted.

• $3.00/hour raises for paraeducators, to help retain and recruit a larger workforce.  32,000 employees will see an approximately 11% wage increase.

• An additional $17 million for spending on special education in the public schools.

• $10 million for grants to local governments for law enforcement recruitment and retention.[1]
  

No new taxes are proposed.  Revenues and revenue projects have been higher than expected this biennium.

STATUS:  The Governor’s Supplemental Budget is one of three that will be proposed this year.  The others will come from the House and the Senate.  

ACTION: This proposal will provide services for many of our citizens who are in trauma situations and who are  in dire need of assistance.  Call Governor Inslee, your Representatives and your Senators, and tell them you support Governor Inslee’s Proposed Supplemental Budget.

HB 2104 - Making 2023-2025 fiscal biennium supplemental operating appropriations.

Sponsors: Representatives Ormsby, Bergquist

SB 5950 - Making 2023-2025 fiscal biennium supplemental operating appropriations.

Sponsor: Senator Robinson

SUPPORT

The following is the summary of the House Bill Analysis from the  House of Appropriations Committee:

“Near General Fund-Outlook (NGF-O) appropriations for the 2023-25 biennium are increased by a net of $2.0 billion to $71.8 billion and the total budget is increased by a net of $5.6 billion to $139.2 billion including maintenance level and policy level changes. The largest increases are in the Health Care Authority ($446.4 million NGF-O and $1.7 billion total budgeted), the Department of Social and Health Services ($577.6 million NGF-O and $737.7 million total budgeted), and K-12 schools ($331.2 million NGF-O and $808.6 million total budgeted).”

This spending proposal is roughly congruent with Governor Inslee’s proposals.

STATUS: HB 2104 was scheduled for public hearings in the House Committee on Appropriations on Monday, January 8  and for a second hearing on  Wednesday, January 10.
SB 5950 is scheduled for public hearing in the State Committee on Ways and Means at 4:00 pm.

ACTION:  Contact your Representatives in the  House Committee on Appropriations to tell them you support HB 2104.  

Contact your Senators in the House Committee on Appropriations to tell them you support SB 5950.

Basic Income

SHB 1045 – Creating the evergreen basic income pilot program.

Sponsors:  Berry, Peterson

SUPPORT

HB 1045 finds that all Washington State households deserve basic financial security to ensure economic stability for all families.  A recent feasibility study by the Department of Social and Health Services concluded that Washington Residents excluded from social and economic well-being would benefit from a statewide basic income program, with the legislature finding that a direct cash assistance program with no restrictions or requirements for recipients would help residents struggling under the weight of unprecedented income inequality.  HB 1045 establishes a basic income pilot project for 7500 participants to start no later than July 1, 2024 to provide 24 monthly payments to participants who are:

• At least 18 years of age or an emancipated minor

• A resident of WA State

• Have a gross income that does not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty level

• Are experiencing at least one of the following life transitions or conditions associated with high economic instability:

• Currently pregnant

• Parent of a child under the age of five

• Homeless

• Immigrant, refugee, or asylee

• Exiting from the foster care system, the juvenile justice system, or the criminal justice system

• Exiting a relationship or living situation due to domestic violence

• Disability or

• Behavioral health disorder

Applications for the basic income grant must be simple and low-barrier with a process that allows for self-attestation of income and life transition or condition and be available in multiple languages and formats including paper, online, and in person.

STATUS: HB 1045 was scheduled for  a public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations on Thursday, January 11.

ACTION:  Contact your representatives on the House Human Committee on Appropriations and let them know that you support SHB 1045.  Request that it be scheduled for an executive session and ask them to vote YES to pass it out of committee.

Working Families Tax Credit - TOP ACTION OF THE WEEK!

HB 1075 – Expanding eligibility for the working families' tax credit to everyone age 18 and older.

Sponsors: Thai, Walen

SUPPORT

HB 1075 would expand eligibility for low-income families where individuals have filed an income tax return for the prior federal tax year and the individual filing is at least 18 years of age or older.  Under current IRS rules individuals without children under the age of 24 are in many cases not eligible for this tax credit.  

STATUS:  HB 1075 is scheduled for a public hearing to the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday, January 25 at 4:00 pm.

ACTION:  Contact your representatives on the House Appropriations Committee and request that they schedule an executive session for HB 1075.

Wealth Tax

HB 1473 / SB 5486 - Investing in Washington families and creating a more fair tax system by enacting a narrowly tailored property tax on extreme wealth derived from the ownership of stocks, bonds, and other financial intangible property.

Sponsors: Representatives Thai, Berg; Senators Frame, Nguyen

SUPPORT

HB 1473 /  SB 5486 would create a narrowly tailored property tax on extreme wealth.  The property involved would include non-tangible wealth derived from ownership of stocks, bonds and other financial assets with the proceeds dedicated to education, housing, disability services and tax credits for working families.  The first $250 million dollars of assessed value is exempt, thus only the wealthiest people in WA State would pay this tax.  

STATUS:  HB 1473 is currently in the House Finance Committee.  On February 14 a public hearing was held with 2200 constituents signing in to support the bill and more testifiers than the committee made time to hear. It is eligible for an executive session.

SB 5486 is in the Senate Ways and Means Committee where it had a public hearing on March 9, 2023, with over 2500 Washingtonians, representing over 128 organizations statewide, signed in support of the legislation. It is eligible for an executive session.

ACTION:  Contact your representatives and Senators to let them know that you support HB 1473 and SB 5486. Ask that they schedule executive sessions and pass a wealth tax in 2024.

Estate Tax

HB 1795 - Making the estate tax more progressive.

Sponsors: Street, Ramel

SUPPORT

HB 1795 makes changes to the Washington State estate tax, including increasing the exclusion amount, changing deductions, and making changes to the rates and rate structure. The exclusion amount is increased to $2.659 million and language providing for an annual adjustment is updated to reflect the CPI for the Seattle Metropolitan area. It also directs any increased estate tax revenues into the newly created Progressive Policy Account. Funds from this account may only be used to address intergenerational poverty, beginning with the implementation of recommendations from the legislative-executive WorkFirst Poverty Reduction Oversight Task Force and the Homeownership Disparities Work Group.

STATUS:  HB 1795 is currently in the House Finance Committee where it is eligible to be scheduled for a committee vote.

ACTION:  Contact your representatives in the House Finance Committee to let them know that you support HB 1795 and ask them to vote YES  to pass a WA State estate tax in  2024.

Consumer Rights and Economic Justice

Comments can be made directly to scheduled committee meetings here:  https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi

Washington Future Fund Program - TOP ACTION OF THE WEEK!

HB 1094 / SB 5125 - Creating the Washington future fund program.

Sponsors:  Representatives Stonier, Harris; Senators Trudeau, Rivers

HB 1094 / SB 5125 direct appropriations from the state general fund to the Washington Future Fund Account based on the number of those born into poverty in a particular year, available for eligible claimants at age 18 through 35 for the purpose of education, purchasing a home, or starting a business in Washington through the Washington Future Fund Program, in the Office of the State Treasurer.  It also reates the Washington Future Fund Committee which will review specified topics and report its findings to the Legislature and Governor.

STATUS: HB 1094 was referred to the House Appropriation Committee on January 31, 2023.

SB 5125 was referred to the Senate Ways & Means Committee on  January 27, 2023.

ACTION:  Contact your representatives in the House Appropriations Committee to tell them you support
HB 1094.  Ask them to schedule an open hearing and executive session to pass it out of  committee.

 Contact your Senators in the Senate Ways & Means Committee to tell them you support SB 5125.  Ask them to schedule an open hearing and executive session to pass it out of committee.

Food Security

HB 2058 / SB 5964 Increasing student access to free meals served at public schools.

Sponsors: Representatives Richellie and Rude; Senators Nobles and Frame

SUPPORT

HB 2058/SB 5964 provide school meals without charge to all students who request them.

STATUS:  HB 2098 is scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Education on Thursday, January 18, at 8:00 am.

SB 5964 has been referred to the Senate  Committee on  Early Learning & K-12 Education

ACTION:   Contact your representatives in the House Committee on Education to tell them you support
HB 2058. Ask them to vote YES to pass it out of committee.

Contact your Senators on the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education to tell them you support  SB 5964. Ask them to schedule an open hearing and executive session to pass it out of committee.

HB 1945 - Streamlining and enhancing program access for persons eligible for food assistance.

Sponsors: Alvarado, Gregerson

SUPPORT

HB 1945 streamlines and enhances program access for individuals eligible for food assistance. Amendments focus on expanding eligibility criteria for the Working Connections Child Care program based on household income and the age and special needs of the child. A copayment schedule for eligible families is detailed, and the department is granted the authority to adjust it to comply with federal law. The legislation also emphasizes the importance of family support services, connection with culturally competent resources, and effective implementation of early childhood education and assistance programs for children under 36 months old.

STATUS:  A  public hearing was held  January 9, and HB 1945 is now eligible to be scheduled for executive session.

ACTION:  Contact your representatives in the House Committee on Human Services, Youth, & Early Learning.  Tell them you support HB 1945 and ask them to schedule an executive session and to vote YES  to pass it out of committee.

Financial Assistance to Low-Income Families

HB 1895 / SB 5839 Modifying the working families' tax credit by clarifying the refundable nature of the credit, the application requirements, and the eligibility verification process.

Sponsors: Representatives Thai, Connors; Senator Nguyen

SUPPORT

HB 1895 / SB 5839 looks to amend the Washington state Working Families Tax Credit  by clarifying its refundable nature, application requirements, and eligibility verification process. It reenacts and amends RCW 82.08.0206, establishing a refundable tax credit for eligible low-income individuals based on sales and use taxes paid. The definitions of "eligible low-income person" and "income" are outlined, specifying criteria for credit qualification. The act provides refund amounts for eligible persons with varying numbers of qualifying children, and these amounts are subject to adjustments for income levels. It details the administration, application process, privacy protection, and information campaigns associated with the tax credit. HB 1895 / SB 5839 is applicable from January 1, 2023, both prospectively and retroactively.

STATUS:  HB 1895 is scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Finance on Tuesday, January 16, at 8:00 am.

SB 5839 is scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means on Tuesday, January 16 at 4:00 pm.

ACTION:  Contact your representatives in the House Committee on Finance to express your support of
HB 1895.  Ask them to schedule an executive session and to vote to pass it out of committee.

Contact your Senators to tell them  you support SB 5839.  Ask them to schedule an executive session and to vote to pass it out of committee.

HB 2007 - Expanding time limit exemptions applicable to cash assistance programs.

Sponsors: Peterson, Gregerson

SUPPORT

HB 2007 modifies current law to provide additional support and flexibility in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families cash assistance programs.  including exemptions from the 60-month time limit. Recipients facing hardships like homelessness, financial distress, or family violence may be exempted, and assistance will be provided accordingly. Specific criteria, including Washington state unemployment rates, are outlined for exemptions, allowing for extensions. Transitional food assistance for five months is offered to households ceasing TANF assistance.

STATUS:  Passed out of  the House Committee on Human Services, Youth, & Early Learning on January 19 and will now be referred to the House Appropriations Committee..

ACTION:  Contact your representatives on the House Appropriations Committee g to tell them you support HB 2007.  Ask them to schedule an open hearing and executive session to pass it out of committee..

Housing Affordability

SHB 1998 / SB 5901  Concerning co-living housing

Sponsors: Representatives Gregerson, Barkis; Senators Salomon, Gildon

SUPPORT

SHB 1998 / SB 5901 require cities and counties to allow co-living housing in zones permitting multifamily residential use.  Co-living housing can provide rental homes at reasonable rates for individuals with moderate to low incomes, reduces pressure on publicly funded affordable housing, provides options for seniors, and promotes energy efficiency.
Amendments
1) An exemption to cities/counties of prohibition to establishing minimum requirements for co-living housing if it can be proven that limitations will be significantly less safe
2) A city/county may not require standards that are more restrictive than those already in place for multifamily use
3)Exempts any related actions by a city/county from legal challenges under the GMA or SEPA

STATUS:  SHB 1998 has been referred to the House Rules Committee where it is eligible to be scheduled for a Floor Vote.
SB 5901 is scheduled for public hearing on  Thursday, January 25 in the Senate Committee on Local Government and Tribal Affairs.

ACTION:  Contact your representatives on the House Rules Committee to tell them you support
HB 1998, and ask them to schedule a Floor Vote and vote YES to pass it on to the Senate.

Contact your Senators in the Senate Committee on Local Government and Tribal Affairs to tell them you support SB 5901.  Ask them to schedule an executive session and vote YES to pass it out of committee.

HB 2114/SB 5961 Improving housing stability for tenants

SponsorS:  Representatives Alvarado, Macri: Senators Trudeau, Nobles

SUPPORT

HB 2114 / SB 1961 improve housing stability for tenants subject to the Residential and Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Acts by limiting and requiring notice of rent and fee increases, limiting fees and deposits, establishing a landlord resource center and associated services, authorizing tenant lease termination, creating parity between lease types, and providing for attorney general enforcement.

STATUS:  HB 2114 has been referred to the House Appropriations Committee where it has been scheduled for a public hearing on Wednesday, January 24 at 4:00 pm.

SB 5961 is scheduled for executive session in the Senate Committee on Housing on Wednesday, January 24 at 10:30 am.

ACTION:  Contact your representatives on the House Appropriations Committee to tell them you support
HB 2114.  Ask them to schedule an executive session to vote it out of committee.

Contact your Senators in the Senate Committee on Housing to tell them you support SB 5961.  Ask them to vote YES in executive session to pass it out of committee.

HB 2008 - Creating a task force on housing cost driver analysis.

Sponsors: Representatives Klicker, Peterson

SUPPORT

HB 2008 establishes a legislative task force to research and determine the primary cost drivers for housing in the state.
Amendments:  Add Architecture/Engineer and associations to the task force; assign the administration of the task force out of Department of  Commerce
STATUS:  HB 2008 has been referred to the House Appropriations Committee where it is eligible to be scheduled for an open hearing and executive session.

ACTION:  Contact your representatives in the House Appropriations  Committee on Housing to tell them  you support HB 2008.  Ask them to schedule an open hearing and executive session, and vote YES to pass it on to the  Rules committee.

Child Care Subsidy Improvements

HB 2111 / SB 5941 Clarifying requirements for subsidized child care.

Sponsors: Representative Nance; Senator Wilson

SUPPORT

These bills promote stability and quality of care for children from low-income households, emphasizing support for school readiness. They address the duration of authorizations for the working connections child care subsidy and establish eligibility criteria for families, including those involved in child protective services or therapeutic courts.  Introduces copayments, based on income levels and program eligibility requirements. Eligibility for child care benefits are expanded to state registered apprenticeship program participants and full-time students. The legislation aims to increase access to affordable, high-quality child care for working families and support workforce expansion in the state.

STATUS:   HB 2111 has been referred to the Rules Committee where it is eligible to be scheduled for a Floor Vote.

SB 5941 was scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education on  January 18 and it is now eligible to be scheduled for an executive session.

ACTION:  Contact your representatives in the House Rules Committee to tell them you support HB 2111.  Ask them to schedule a Floor Vote and to vote YES to pass it out of the House and on to the Senate.

Contact your senators in the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education to tell them you support SB 5941.  Ask them to schedule an executive session and to vote YES to pass it out of committee.​​

Equal Pay

HB 1905 / SB 5894  Including protected classes in the Washington equal pay and opportunities act

Sponsors: Representatives Mena, Senn; Senators Nobels, Keiser

SUPPORT

HB 1905 / SB 5894  amend the current Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act to address the persistent wage gap that continues despite existing laws.   “Protected class" is defined to include age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, veteran or military status, and disability. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of equality of opportunity for advancement and prohibits employers from limiting career advancement opportunities based on gender or protected class membership. Measures, investigations, and penalties for violations, including provisions for damages, interest, costs of investigation, and civil penalties are outlined.

STATUS:  HB 1905 passed out of the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards in executive session and will now be referred to the House Appropriations Committee where it is eligible to be scheduled for an open hearing.

SB 5894 was scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce on January 15 and is now eligible to be scheduled for an executive session.

ACTION:  Contact your Representatives in the House Appropriations Committee to tell them you support HB 1905.  Ask them to schedule an open hearing and executive session to pass it out of committee.

Contact your Senators on the Senate Committee on Labor and Commerce to tell them you support SB 5894.  Ask them to schedule an executive and vote YES to pass it out of committee.

Payday Loans

HB 2083 / SB 5930 - Making modifications to small loans under payday lending laws.

Sponsors: Rep. Cindy Ryu / Sen. Derek Stanford

SUPPORT

This bill reduces the APR on payday loans to no more than 36% and inserts anti-evasion language. This legislation will give all Washingtonians the same interest cap protections the Military Lending Act gave to our service members in 2008. Twenty other states already have this provision. Restricting the cost of these small loans is very popular and this legislation will expand on gains this state has made to reign in payday lending over t recent years.

STATUS: HB 2083 is scheduled for a executive session in the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business on Friday, January 19, at 8:00 am. The House bill will be moving before the senate bill SB 5930.

ACTION:  Please let members on the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business know that you support HB 2083 on January 19th at 8:00 am and ask them to vote this bill out of committee and into Rules.

Rent a Bank Loans

HB 1874/SB 6025 - Protecting consumers from predatory loans.

Sponsors: Rep. Amy Walen / Sen. Derek Stanford

SUPPORT

This bill seeks to protect consumers from predatory loans by doing just that: further defining what constitutes a loan so that it falls under regulation. Partners like the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) and CRL identified areas where certain products are slipping through the cracks and a clean-up in the law was needed. For example, these bills would close the "rent-a-bank" loophole where a predatory lender contracts with a bank to use them as a front for doing high-interest lending that would otherwise be prohibited. This legislation would also have the effect of reigning in products like home equity sharing agreements which is the topic of other legislation this term.

STATUS: SB 6025 will hold an executive session in the Senate Committee on Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade on Tuesday, January 23rd at 8:00 am. There was a public hearing in the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business for HB 1874 on January 10th but it seems the Senate bill will be moving first as there is no other activity set in the House.

 SB 6025.

ACTION: Please let members on the Senate Committee on Business, Financial Services, & Gaming & Trade know that you support SB 6025 on January 23rd at 8:00 am and ask them to vote this bill out of committee and into Rules.

Protection from predatory mortgage loan contracts

HB 2081/SB 5968 - Regulating home equity sharing agreements under the consumer loan act.

Sponsors Rep. David Hackney / Sen. Derek Stanford

SUPPORT        

In partnership with the Northwest Consumer Law Center (NWCLC), this common-sense legislation would protect at-risk Washingtonians from these unregulated, deceptive, and predatory contracts by bringing them under the definition of a mortgage loan to ensure the same protections as traditional mortgages and thus regulation by the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI).

STATUS: SB 5968 held a public hearing in the Senate Committee on Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade on Thursday,  January 11th at 10:30 AM and is set for executive session on Tuesday, January 23rd at 8:00am.  The House bill, HB 2081.is scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business on Wednesday January 24th at 1:30 pm. The bills are moving in tandem.

ACTION: Please let members of the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business know that you support HB 2081 on Wednesday January 24th at 1:30 pm and let the Senate Committee on Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade know that you support SB 5968 on Tuesday January 23rd at 8:00am and ask them to vote this bill out of committee and into Rules.

Gift Certificates

HB 2094 / SB 5987 - Improving consumer protection on gift certificates

        Sponsors:  Representatives Alvarado, Berry

SB 2095 / SB 5988  - Concerning gift certificates as unclaimed property

Sponsors: Rep Alvarado / Sen. Trudeau

SUPPORT

The Washington Gift Card Accountability bill package - would allow consumers to cash out gift cards under $50 and close the loophole to ensure unspent gift cards are returned to consumers or used to fund public services instead of being kept by corporations. The policy is split into two bills with the same sponsor list; one is focused on consumer protections, and the other focuses on the unclaimed property issue.

STATUS: HB 2094 is in the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business and a public hearing was held on Tuesday January 16th.. HB 2095 had a hearing in the House Committee on Finance on Tuesday January 16th.  Neither House bill is scheduled for an executive session. SB 5987 is in the Senate Committee on Business Financial Services Gaming & Trade and a public hearing was held on Tuesday January 16th and SB 5988 a public  hearing was held in the Senate Ways & Means on Tuesday January 16th. Neither Senate bill has been scheduled for executive session.

ACTION: With bills  HB 2094 / HB 2095 and SB 5987 / SB 5988 its likely waiting to determine the budget before moving these bills forward. At this time no executive sessions are scheduled but stay tuned in the coming weeks as these bills have momentum.

Gender Discrimination

HB 1152 /  SB 5171 - Addressing consumer gender discrimination

Sponsors: Representatives Mena, Reed:  Senators Dhingra, Trudeau

SUPPORT

HB 1152 / SSB 5171 ​​amend the Consumer Protection Act to prohibit persons, entities, or businesses from charging different prices for two substantially similar goods when they are priced differently based on the gender of the persons to whom they are marketed, subject to exceptions.

STATUS:  The House bill, HB 1152 had a public hearing in the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business and was scheduled for an executive session in that committee on February 1, 2023. For the Senate bill, SSB 5171 was voted out of the Senate Committee on Law & Justice and was passed to the Senate Ways and Means Committee. It was returned by resolution to the Senate Rules Committee where it must again be passed by a floor vote in 2024.

Action:  Contact committee members in the Rules Committee and ask them to schedule a 2024 floor vote for HB 1152 and SSB 5171..

Wage Garnishment

              HB 2119 Prohibits wage garnishment due to medical debt.

Sponsors: Representatives Riccelli, Taylor, Leavitt, Simmons, Reed

SUPPORT

Patients often incur medical debt resulting from the costs associated with diagnosing, treating, and managing an injury or illness. Medical debt can cause extraordinary financial hardship, stress, and strain for patients and their families. Patients are also much more likely to delay or avoid medical care when facing debt. This legislation would prohibit earnings from being garnished by debt collectors if the debt is from medical care. 

STATUS: The House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary held a  public hearing on HB 2119 on Wednesday, January 17th and has now set an executive session for January 26th at 10:30 am.

Action: Please let members of the House Committee on Civil Rights & the Judiciary know that you support  HB 2119 on January 26th at 10:30 am.

Debt and Divorce - TOP ACTION OF THE WEEK!

        SB 5863 Prohibits credit reporting on delinquent accounts due to divorce.  

Sponsors: Senators Fotunado, Dozier

SUPPORT

Credit reporting has an incredible impact on people's lives. According to the National Consumer Law Center, in divorce, late payments will appear on both parties’ consumer reports and can impede future attempts to obtain credit. Thus prohibiting credit reporting at a time of financial vulnerability, like delinquency due to divorce, is a positive (see attached from NCLC for more information). SB 5863 is in Senate BFSGT.

STATUS: The House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business set a public hearing for SB 5863 on January 23rd at 8:00 am.

ACTION: Please sign in to the public hearing in the  House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business on SB 5863 on Tuesday, January 23rd at 8:00 am to note your support.

Ambulance Surprise Billing

SB 5986 / HB 2285 Protects Consumers from Out of Network Charges for Ambulance Services

Sponsors: Senator Cleveland and Representative Piccelli

SUPPORT

The legislature has taken measures to address "surprise billing" when a patient ends up with a charge they didn't expect because it was out of network.  These bills add ambulance services to those protective measures.

STATUS: Executive action was taken in the Senate Health & Long-Term Care January 16th for SB 5986

and it was voted out of committee and into Ways & Means! The vote was a bipartisan and unanimous!

ACTION: The Senate bill is moving fast and was referred to the Ways & Means Committee for action on January 17th. This bill looks to be moving fast and is on the slate for budget funding. Stay tuned.

Civil and Equal Rights

Comments can be made directly to scheduled committee meetings here:  https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi

Law Enforcement and Civil Rights

HB1445 - Concerning law enforcement and local corrections agency misconduct through investigations and legal actions.

Sponsors:  Hansen, Simmons

SUPPORT

The bill aims to empower the Washington State Attorney General to investigate and take legal action against law enforcement and local corrections agencies for violating state laws or the Constitution. It addresses issues like excessive force, discriminatory practices, and poor detention conditions. The Attorney General gains authority to initiate actions, demand documents, and bring civil actions, aiming to enhance accountability, transparency, and civil rights protections within these agencies. The bill encourages collaboration with oversight bodies, the Justice Department, and affected communities. Additionally, it mandates the Attorney General to develop model policies promoting fair discipline, reducing misconduct, and upholding civil rights in law enforcement agencies.

STATUS: Referred to the House Rules Committee on March 13, 2023.  It is now eligible to be scheduled for a floor vote.  

ACTION:  Contact your representatives in the House rules Committee and tell them you support HB 1445.  Ask them to schedule a floor vote and vote YES to pass it to the Senate.

HB 1513 / SB 5572 - An act relating to improving traffic safety by addressing compliance, enforcement, and data collection.

Sponsors: Representatives Street, Simmons;   Senators Valdez, Kauffman 

SUPPORT

This bill aims to prioritize traffic safety by targeting high-risk behaviors like impaired driving while addressing disparities in law enforcement. It restricts stops for non-moving violations, establishes grants for non-punitive solutions for low-income road users, and mandates reporting of stops by peace officers. By redefining enforcement priorities and focusing on safety, the bill aims to enhance road safety and reduce the disproportionate impact of traffic violations on vulnerable groups.

STATUS:  HB 1513 is currently in the House Rules Committee where it is eligible to be scheduled for a Floor Vote

SB 5572 was scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation on February 13, 2023, and was reintroduced to the committee on January 8, 2024.

ACTION:   Contact your legislators in the House Rules Committee and tell them you support HB 1513.  Ask them to schedule a floor vote and vote YES to pass it on to the Senate.

Contact your Senators in the Senate Committee on Transportation to tell them you support SB 5572 and ask them to schedule an executive session to vote it out of committee.

.

HB 1579 - Establishing a mechanism for independent prosecutions within the office of the attorney general of criminal conduct arising from police use of force

Sponsors: Representatives Stonier, Bateman

SUPPORT

HB 1579 establishes an independent office within the Attorney General's jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute cases involving deadly force by police officers. It grants the Attorney General power concurrent with county prosecutors to handle such cases upon request or agreement. The bill emphasizes the importance of ensuring impartiality and avoiding conflicts of interest. It creates an independent counsel responsible for hiring and leading personnel within this office, ensuring transparency, and training staff on racial equity and cultural sensitivity. The legislation also mandates confidentiality until specific points in the legal process and establishes an advisory board for oversight. Additionally, it outlines criteria for appointing independent counsel and details their powers, duties, and staffing capabilities, and amends procedures for prosecuting attorney absences, mandates independent investigations of deadly force incidents, and sets effective dates.

STATUS:  Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Appropriations at 4:00 PM, on Monday, January 22, 2024

ACTION: Contact you representatives in the House Appropriations Committee to tell them you support
HB 1579.  Ask them to vote it out of committee.

SB 5905 - Concerning certification, background checks, and training requirements for sheriffs, police chiefs, marshalls, reserve officers, and volunteers.

Sponsors: Lovick, Trudeau

SUPPORT

SB 5905 amends current law to include Airport Commissions and certification requirements for Police Chiefs, Marshals and Sheriffs. Includes background checks and meeting of standards before elections or appointments.  

STATUS: Referred to the Senate Law & Justice Committee on January 8, 2024..

ACTION: Contact your Senators in the Senate Law & Justice Committee to tell them you support  SB 5905.  Ask them to schedule an open hearing and executive session to pass it out of committee.

Improving voting procedures and participation

SSB 5890 - Reducing ballot rejection rates through updates to ballot curing, canvassing, reporting, and outreach processes.

Sponsors: Senators Valdez, Hunt

SUPPORT

SB 5890 outlines procedures for handling ballots with signature issues. If a ballot lacks a signature or has a signature mismatch, the auditor must attempt to contact the voter via mail, email, or phone to rectify the issue. It specifies scenarios where ballots might be counted despite signature differences due to name changes, initials, or common nicknames. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of keeping records of such ballots and establishes protocols for maintaining privacy and security in electronic submissions. The bill encourages post-election contact with voters for updated signatures but clarifies that this contact won't affect voter registration status or future voting rights. There are sections discussing standards, training, and tools for signature verification, as well as community outreach plans to educate voters. It also covers the responsibilities and rules of county canvassing boards. Lastly, it outlines voter registration form requirements and a workgroup for a uniform ballot envelope design.
First substitute bill encourages auditors to contact voters for updated signatures after every general, primary and president primary election as opposed to every election; requires community outreach materials be published in all languages as required by the Voting Rights Act; specifics canvassing board meetings be published in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act; adds two days to the required time period for auditors to notify voters regarding the cure of rejected ballots.

STATUS:  Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. Jan 17

ACTION: Contact your representatives  to tell them  you support SSB 5890.  

SHB 1932 - Shifting general elections for local governments to even-numbered years to increase voter participation.

Sponsors:  Representatives Gregerson, Farivar

SUPPORT

HB 1932  proposes shifting local government elections in Washington State to even-numbered years to bolster voter engagement. It aims to bridge the significant gap between voter turnout in odd and even years, which affects policy outcomes and representation. The legislation allows local governments to opt for even-year elections, ensuring broader voter participation, especially among younger voters and marginalized groups. It outlines the process for transitioning to even years, mandates adjustments in term lengths, and requires consistent adherence once a choice is made. Additionally, it sets criteria for compelling local governments with consistently low turnout to switch to even-numbered year elections.
Amendments:  Removes requirement for implementation, making it subject only to the discretion of the local authority.

STATUS: January 16, referred to Rules 2 Review and is eligible to be scheduled for a Floor Vote.

ACTION:  Contact your Representatives in the Rules Committee to tell them you support SHB 1932.  Ask them to schedule a Floor Vote and to vote YES to pass it on to the Senate.

HB 1962 - Improving voter registration list accuracy by improving voter address change processes for county election offices and voters.

Sponsors: Representatives Low, Cheney

SUPPORT

HB 1962 enhances voter registration accuracy by streamlining address change processes for county election offices and voters in Washington State. It proposes various methods for voters to update their registration addresses, including in-person requests, electronic communication, and submission through designated agencies. County auditors are required to update voter records upon receiving address change information from the postal service or other relevant agencies. The bill repeals the current process of transferring voter registrations between counties and sets June 1, 2025, as its effective date.

STATUS:  Referred to Rules 2 and is eligible to be scheduled for a Floor Vote.

ACTION: Contact your representatives in the Rules Committed to tell them you support  HB1962.   Ask them to schedule a Floor Vote and to vote YES to send it over to the Senate.

HB 2023 - Improving meaningful access to elections by increasing language assistance.

Sponsors: Representatives Shavers, Ramel

SUPPORT

HB 2023 mandates language assistance in electoral processes for specific counties based on census data. It requires county auditors, if designated by the Secretary of State, to provide registration, voting materials, and assistance in languages of covered minority groups alongside English. Counties meeting specific language minority and proficiency criteria must comply within a year. The Secretary of State determines eligible counties every five years, allowing terminations if data supports decreased minority group membership and literacy rates. Additionally, a grant program aids counties choosing to provide non-English electoral materials. Terminology definitions and parameters for illiteracy, minority groups, reservations, and language proficiency are outlined.

STATUS: Passed unanimously out of the Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations on January 19.  Will now be referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

ACTION: Contact your Representatives in the House Appropriations Committee to tell them you support HB 2023.  Ask them to vote YES to pass it out of committee.

HB 2030 - A Bill to reduce the revocation of Voting Rights when convicted of a state crime punishable by death.

Sponsors: Simmons, Gregerson

SUPPORT

HB 2030 will rescind voting rights of any US citizen convicted of a crime in Washington State only when they are in total confinement by the state for their crime. Upon release from total confinement the voting rights will be automatically restored to those convicted of misdemeanors and felonies except for individuals convicted of an “infamous crime” as defined in this bill.

An "infamous crime" is a state crime punishable by death (in the state penitentiary or imprisonment in a state or federal correctional facility).

STATUS:  Public hearing on January 16 in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations and is now eligible for executive session.

ACTION: Contact your representatives and Senators to tell them you support HB 2030.  Ask them to schedule an executive session and vote YES to pass it out of committee.

HB 2250 / SB 6156  - Increasing representation and voter participation in local elections.

Sponsors: Representatives Gregerson, Whalen

Senators: Nobles, Trudeau, Frame, Kuderer, Nguyen, Pedersen, Saldaña, Shewmake

SUPPORT

Bill clarifies which offices can choose to use ranked choice voting (RCV) in elections (counties, cities, towns, school districts, fire districts, and port districts and establishes certain requirements for RCV ballot design and vote tabulation. Establishes an RCV work group to advise and aid the Secretary of State when developing implementation and support materials for local governments that enact RCV.

STATUS: HB 2250 is scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 1:30 PM on Wednesday, January 24.  

SB 6156 has been referred to the Senate State Government & Elections Committee where it is eligible to be scheduled for an open hearing.

ACTION: Sign into house committee hearing PRO  by 12:30 on January 24.  

Contact your Senators and ask them to schedule an open hearing for SB 6156.

Environment & Climate Change

Comments can be made directly to scheduled committee meetings here:  https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi

Regulating Industry

SB 5884 - Concerning court-ordered restitution in environmental criminal cases.

Sponsors: Senators Trudeau, Pedersen

SUPPORT

SB 5884 authorizes the court to order restitution for harm to natural resources or the environment.

STATUS:  Passed the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology onJan 19th and will now be sent to the Senate Rules Committee, where it is eligible to be scheduled for a Floor Vote.

ACTION: Contact your representatives in the House Rules Committee to  tell them you support SB 5884.   Ask them to schedule a Floor Vote and vote YES to pass it out of Committee.

HB 1282 / SB 5322 - Requiring environmental and labor reporting for public building construction and renovation material.

HB Sponsors: Representatives Duerr, Hackney

SB Sponsors: Wellman, Hasegawa, Keiser, Valdez, Wilson, C.

SUPPORT

This bill focuses on environmental and labor reporting for public building construction and renovation materials. It amends existing laws and adds a new chapter to Title 39 RCW. The bill emphasizes Washington's role in reducing embodied carbon in construction, improving health and environmental standards, and supporting high labor standards in manufacturing. It establishes 'Buy Clean and Buy Fair' policies, requiring detailed environmental product declarations for building materials and reporting on working conditions in manufacturing facilities. The bill also includes provisions for maintaining a database to facilitate transparency and reporting in state-funded infrastructure projects.

STATUS:  HB 1282 did not pass out of the Senate Ways & Means Committee before the end of the 2023 session, and was returned by Resolution to the Rules Committee of the House where it is eligible to be scheduled for a vote by the 2024 House Chamber.

SB 5322 was scheduled for executive session in the Senate Committee on Ways and Means on February 24, 2023, but no action was taken.

ACTION: Contact your Representatives in the House Rules Committee and ask them to schedule Floor Vote for HB 1282 and that they vote YES to pass it on to the Senate.
Contact your Senators in the Senate Ways & Means Committee to tell them you support SB 5322 and ask them to schedule an executive session vote  and to vote YES to pass it out of committee.

HB 1933/SB 6276 - Supporting the servicing and right to repair of certain products with digital electronics in a secure and reliable manner.

Sponsors: Gregerson, Kretz, Fitzgibbon, Morgan, Paul, Berry, Duerr, Ramel, Klicker, Reed, Simmons, Ormsby, Peterson, Kloba, Macri, Street, Doglio, Bergquist, Riccelli, Fosse, Shavers

SUPPORT

HB 1933/SB 6276, introduced in the Washington State Legislature in 2024, aims to support the servicing and right to repair of products containing digital electronics, enhancing access and affordability for Washington residents. The bill emphasizes the essential role of such products in daily life and the necessity of making repair information, parts, and tools widely available. It seeks to overcome digital inequities by shortening repair times, extending product life, and reducing consumer costs. The legislation focuses on ensuring fair access to repair resources for various products like computers, phones, and agricultural equipment, and stresses the importance of small businesses in a competitive repair market. The bill also considers the environmental aspect by promoting the repair and reuse of products containing precious metals. Provisions are made to ensure privacy and security during repair processes, and it outline specific exemptions and liabilities. This act is intended to foster a more accessible, secure, and sustainable digital environment for Washingtonians.

STATUS: HB 1933 Public hearing was on Friday, Jan 12, not yet scheduled for executive action.

SB 6276 Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology on Wed, Jan 24, 8:00 AM.

ACTION: Contact your Representatives in the Consumer Protection & Business Committee and the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology to tell them you support HB 1933 and SB 6276.  

Sign in PRO on SB 6276 in the Senate Committee by 7:00 am, Jan 24.

Improving Standards for Current Sources of Pollution

HB 1368 / SB 5431 - Zero-emission school buses

HB Sponsors: Representatives Senn, Fey: Senators  Shewmake, Hasegawa

SB Sponsors: Shewmake, Hasegawa, Hunt, Liias, Lovelett, Nguyen, Pedersen, Saldaña, Valdez, Wilson, C.

SUPPORT
HB 1368 / SB 5431 provide that:

•  Buses purchased in WA after 2027 must have zero emissions

• All WA state school buses operated after 2035 will be zero emission.

• Funding in part would come from the Federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022

• A budget provision of $60 million from CCA income will ensure schools can afford this investment.

• Benefits: reduced GHGs, healthier air for children, reduced operating costs.

• Some electric buses can serve as mobile electrical power stations

• Target overburdened communities for initial funding.[2]

STATUS: HB 1368 No action was taken in executive session in the House Committee on Appropriations Jan 18th.

SB 5431 was scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Early Learning K-12 Education on February 1, 2023.

ACTION:  Contact your representatives in the House  Committee on Appropriations to tell them you support HB 1368.  Request that they schedule a vote to pass this bill on to the House Rules Committee.

Contact your Senators in the  Senate Committee on Early Learning K-12 Education to tell them you support SB 5431.  Ask them to schedule an executive session and to vote it out of committee.

HB 2049 / SB 6005 - Improving Washington's solid waste management outcomes.

SPONSORS: Representatives Berry, Doglio:  Senators Lovelett, Nguyen        

SUPPORT

HB 2049 / SB 6005  improve Washington’s solid waste management outcomes by providing for producer responsibility in the management of packaging and paper products, requirements for post-consumer recycled content, plastic beverage containers, household cleaning products and personal care products, plastic tubs for food products, single-use plastic cups and thermofoam plastic containers with a reimbursable deposit program and reuse and recycling performance requirements.

STATUS: HB 2049 is reported out of committee with a do pass recommendation on Jan 18th.

SB 6005 has been Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology Tuesday, Jan 23, at 1:30 PM

ACTION:  Contact your Representatives in the  House Committee on Environment & Energy to tell them you support HB 2049.  Ask them to schedule executive session and vote YES to pass it out of committee.

Contact your Senators in the Environment, Energy & Technology Committee to tell them you support
SB 6005.  Ask them to schedule an executive session and vote YES and pass it out of committee.
Sign in Pro on SB 6005  in the Senate Committee by 12:30 pm, Jan. 23.

HB 2144 - Providing for a deposit return program for qualifying beverage containers to be implemented by a distributor responsibility organization.

SPONSORS: Stonier, Berry, Taylor, Reed, Ramel, Peterson, Callan, Macri, Street, Gregerson, Berg, Fosse, Doglio, Pollet, Kloba, Davis        

SUPPORT

HB 2144 establishes a deposit return program for beverage containers, managed by a distributor responsibility organization. It mandates plastic packaging to be recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2025, with a minimum of 50% post-consumer recycled content by 2030. The bill defines roles and penalties for distributors and dealers, sets up the organization's structure and reporting duties, and aligns the program with other producer responsibility initiatives, including educational efforts.

STATUS: HB 2144 passed out of the House Committee on Environment & Energy on  Jan 18th, and will now be referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

ACTION:  Contact your Representatives in the  House Appropriations Committee to tell them you support HB 2144 and ask them to pass it out of committee..

SB 5931 - Expediting the safer products for Washington process regarding motorized vehicle tires containing 6PPD.

Sponsors: Salomon, Kauffman, Billig, Frame, Lovelett, Pedersen, Shewmake, Wellman

SUPPORT

SB 5931 focuses on addressing the environmental and ecological impacts of a chemical called 6PPD, commonly used in motor vehicle tires. This bill proposes to expedite the process of making motor vehicle tires safer by reducing the use of 6PPD in Washington. It recognizes the harmful effects of 6PPD-quinone, a degradation product of 6PPD, especially its toxicity to aquatic life, including Coho salmon. The bill amends and adds sections to existing environmental regulations, aiming to protect sensitive species and populations by regulating the presence of 6PPD in tires and managing its environmental impact, especially on the salmon. Studies show that pregnant women are most vulnerable to 6PPD-quinone.

STATUS: SB 5931 is scheduled for executive session in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology Friday, Jan 26th, at 8:00 AM.

ACTION: Contact your Representatives in the Senate Committee on Environment & Energy to tell them you support SB 5931.  Ask them to vote YES to pass it out of committee.

Energy Efficiency

2SHB 1391 - Concerning energy in buildings.

Sponsors: Representatives Ramel, Doglio

SUPPORT

This bill focuses on enhancing energy efficiency in buildings. It aims to reduce emissions and energy usage through improvements like weatherization and the installation of efficient electric appliances in residential and non-residential buildings. This bill acknowledges the need for aggressive action toward energy efficiency and electrification as a means to reduce fossil fuel dependency, lower energy bills, create living wage jobs, and meet state emission limits. It proposes leveraging state, federal, and utility resources to facilitate these improvements, with an emphasis on benefiting low-income and moderate-income residents, as well as ensuring job creation in related fields.

STATUS:  2SHB 1391 did not pass out of the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy  & Technology before the 2023 session ended, and was returned to House Rules Committee by resolution on April 23, 2023, where it is now eligible to be scheduled for re-vote on the House Floor. It was reintroduced and retained in present status in the House and is now in House Rules.

ACTION: Contact your Representatives in the House Rules Committee to tell them you support HB 1391.  Ask them to schedule a Floor Vote and to vote YES to pass it to the Senate.

HB 1509 - Concerning fair access to community solar.

Sponsors: Representatives  Hackney, Doglio

SUPPORT

By stimulating local investment in solar projects, this bill allows the participation of low-income customers in solar projects. This bill intends to facilitate credit for community solar options that capitalize on the opportunity created by the Inflation Reduction Act. This would expand access to solar to people who otherwise wouldn't have a facility that could accommodate solar.

STATUS: HB 1509 did not pass the legislature in the 2023 session, so has been returned by resolution to the House Rules Committee where it is eligible to be scheduled for a re-vote.

ACTION: Contact your Representatives in the House Rules Committee to tell them you support HB 1509.  Ask them to schedule a Floor Vote and vote YES to pass it on to the Senate.

HOUSE COMMITTEES

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Mike Chapman (Chair), Melanie Morgan (Vice Chair), Kristine Reeves (Vice Chair), Bruce Chandler, Tom Dent, Shelley Kloba, Joel Kretz, Debra Lekanoff, Ed Orcutt, Joe Schmick, and Larry Springer

Appropriations Committee:
Timm Ormsby (Chair), Steve Bergquist  (Vice Chair), Nicole Macre (Vice Chair),  Mia Gregerson (Vice Chair), Nicole Macri, Chris Corry, Kelly Chambers, April Connors, Travis Couture, April Berg, Lisa Callan, Bruce Chandler, Frank Chopp, Lauren Davis, Mary Dye, Joe Fitzgibbon, Paul Harris, Debra Leanoff, Gerry Pollet, Marcus Riccelli, Skyler Rude, Cindy Ryu. Bryan Sandlin, Joe Schmick, Tana Senn, Tarra Simmons, Vandana Slatter, Larry Springer, Drew Stokesbary, Monica Jurado Stonier, Steve Tharinger, J.T. Wilcox

Capital Budget Committee:
Steve Tharinger (Chair), Lisa Callan (Vice Chair), David Hackney (Vice Chair), Peter Abbarno, Emily Alvarado, Jessica Bateman, Greg Cheney, Leonard Christian, Mary Dye, Carolyn Eslick, Darya Farivar, Mary Fosse, Shelley Kloba, Joel Kretz, Mari Leavitt, Jacquelin Maycumber, Stephanie McClintock, Joel McEntire, Melanie Morgan, Gins Mosbrucker, Tina Orwall, Strom Peterson, Julia Reed, Alicia Rule, Bryan Sandlin, Clyde Shavers, Chris Stearns, Mike Steele, and Kevin Waters

Community Safety, Justice, and Reentry
Roger Goodman (Chair), Tarra Simmons (Vice Chair), Gina Mosbrucker, Lauren Davis, Darya Farivar, Mary Fosse,  Jenny Graham, Dan Griffey, and Bill Ramos

Consumer Protection and Business Committee:
Amy Walen (Chair), Kristine Reeves (Vice Chair), Eric Robertson, Mike Chapman, April Connors, Chris Corry, Brandy Donaghy, David Hackney, Stephanie McClintock, Cindy Ryu, Bryan Sandlin, Sharon Tomiko Santos, and Mike Volz

Education Committee:
Sharon Tomiko Santos (Chair), Clyde Shavers (Vice Chair), Steve Bergquist, Travis Couture, Carolyn Eslick, Paul Harris, Stephanie McClintock, Greg Nance, Lillian Ortiz-Self, Gerry Pollet, Skyler Rude, Mike Steele, Monica Jurado Stonier, Joe Timmons

Environment & Energy Committee:
Beth Doglio (Chair), Sharlett Mena (Vice-Chair), Peter Abbarno, Stephanie Barnard, Liz Berry, Davina Durerr, Mary Dye, Jake Fey, Keith Goehner, Debra Lekanoff, Alex Ramel, Bryan Sandlin, Vandana Slatter, Chipalo Street, and Alex Ybarra

Finance Committee:
April Berg (Chair), Chipalo Street (Vice Chair), Stephanie Barnard, Frank Chopp, Cyndy Jacobsen, Ed Orcutt, Alex Ramel, Sharon Tomiko Santos, Larry Springer, My-Linh Thai, Amy Walen, Sharon Wylie

Health Care and Wellness Committee:
Marcus Riccelli (Chair), Jessica Bateman (Vice Chair) Joe Schmick, Spencer Hutchins, Dan Bronoske, Michelle Caldier, Lauren Davis, Jenny Graham, Paul Harris, Nicole Macri, Jacquelin Maycumber, Gina Mosbrucker, Tina Orwall, Tarra Simmons, Monica Jurado Stonier, My-Linh Thai, Steve Tharinger

Housing Committee:
Strom Peterson, (Chair), Emily Alvarado (Vice Chair), Mari Leavitt (Vice Chair), Andrew Barkis, Jessica Bateman, Frank Chopp, April Connors, Debra Entenman, Spencer Hutchins, Mark Klicker, Sam Low, Julia Reed, Jamila Taylor

Human Services, Youth and Early Learning
Tana Senn (Chair), Julio Cortes (Vice Chair), Alicia Rule (Vice Chair), Lisa Callan, Travis Couture, Tom Dent, Carolyn Eslick, Roger Goodman, Lillian Ortiz-Self, Jamila Taylor, Jim Walsh

Innovation, Community & Economic Development, and Veterans Committee:
Cindy Ryu (Chair), Brandy Donaghy (Vice Chair), Alicia Rule (Vice Chair), Stephanie Barnard, Michelle Caldier, Kelly Chambers, Leonard Christian, Julio Cortes, Dave Paul, Tana Senn, Clyde Shavers, Chipalo Street, Kevin Waters, J.T. Wilcox, Mike Volz

Labor and Workplace Standards Committee:
Liz Berry (Chair), Mary Fosse (Vice-Chair), Dan Bronoske, Beth Doglio, Timm Ormsby, Lillian Ortiz-Self, Skyler Rude, Suzanne Schmidt, Alex Ybarra

Local Government Committee:
Davina Duerr (Chair), Emily Alvarado (Vice-Chair), Cyndy Jacobsen, April Berg, Keith Goehner, Dan Griffey, and Marcus Ricelli

Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee:
Vandana Slatter (Chair), Debra Entenman (Vice Chair), Julia Reed (Vice Chair) Bruce Chandler, Cyndy Jacobsen, Mark Klicker, Mari Leavitt, Joel McEntire, Greg Nance, Dave Paul, Gerry Pullet, Suzanne Schmidt, Joe Timmons, Kevin Waters, & Alex Ybarra

Regulated Substances and Gaming Committee

Shelley Kloba (Co-Chair), Sharon Wylie (Co-Chair), Kelly Chambers, Michelle Caldier, Greg Cheney, Melanie Morgan, Tina Orwall, Kristine Reeves, Eric Robertson, Chris Stearns, Kevin Waters

Rules Committee:
Laurie Jinkins (Chair), Steve Bergquist, Lauren Davis, Joe Fitzgibbon, Keith Goehrner, Mia Gregerson, Paul Harris, Cyndy Jacobsen, Mari Leavitt, Debra Lekanoff, Sam Low, Jacquelin Maycumber, Melanie Morgan, Lillian Ortiz-Self, Tina Orwall, Gerry Pullet, Alex Ramel, Suzanne Schmidt, Tarra Simmons, Larry Springer, Mike Steele, Drew Stokesbary, Monica Jurado Stonier, Jim Walsh

State Government and Tribal Relations Committee:
Bill Ramos (Chair), Chris Stearns (Vice Chair), Greg Cheney, Leonard Christian, Mia Gregerson, Sam Low, and Sharlett Mena

Transportation Committee:
Jake Fey (Chair), Brandy Donaghy (Vice Chair), Dave Paul (Vice Chair), Joe Timmons (Vice Chair), Andrew Barkis, Liz Berry, Dan Bronoske, Mike Chapman, Julio Cortes, Tom Dent, Beth Doglio, Davina Duerr, Debra Entenman, Keith Goerner, Dan Griffey, David Hackney, Spencer Hutchins, Mark Klicker, Sam Low, Sharlett Mena, Greg Nance, Ed Orcutt, Alex Ramel, Bill Ramos, Eric Robertson, Suzanne Schmidt, Mike Volz, Jim Walsh and Sharon Wylie

SENATE COMMITTEES

Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources and Parks Committee:
Kevin Van De Wege (Chair), Jesse Salomon (Vice Chair), Ron Muzzall, Marko Liias, Sharon Shewmake, Shelly Short, Derek Stanford, Keith Wagoner, and Judy Warnick

Business, Financial Services, Gaming and Trade Committee:
Derek Stanford (Chair), Noel Frame (Vice Chair), Matt Boehnke, Perry Dozier, Chris Gildon, Bob Hasegawa, John Lovick, Drew MacEwan, and Mark Mullet

Early Learning and K-12 Committee:
Lisa Wellman (Chair), T’wina Nobles (Vice Chair), Clair Wilson (Vice Chair), Perry Dozier, Brad Hawkins, Sam Hunt, Jim McCune, Mark Mullet, and Jamie Pedersen

Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee:
Joe Nguyen (Chair), Liz Lovelett (Vice Chair), Matt Boehnke, John Lovick, Drew MacEwan, Shelly Short, Yasmin Trudeau, and Lisa Wellman

Health and Long Term Care Committee:
Annette Cleveland (Chair), June Robinson (Vice Chair), Steve Conway, Manka Dhingra, Jeff Holy, Ron Muzzall, Mike Padden, Emily Randall, Ann Rivers, and Kevin Van De Wege

Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee:
Emily Randall (Chair), T’wina Nobles (Vice Chair), Jeff Holy, Drew Hansen, Brad Hawkins

Housing Committee:
Patty Kuderer (Chair), Noel Frame (Vice Chair), John Braun, Annette Cleveland, Phil Fortunato, Chris Gildon, Ann Rivers, Rebecca Saldana, Sharon Shewmake, Yasmin Trudeau, and Jeff Wilson

Human Services Committee:
Clair Wilson (Chair), Claudia Kauffman (Vice Chair), Matt Boehnke, Noel Frame, Joe Nguyen, Judy Warnick, and Jeff Wilson

Labor & Commerce Committee:
Karen Keiser (Chair), Steve Conway (Vice Chair), Rebecca Saldaña (Vice Chair), John Braun, Curtis King, Drew Hansen, Drew MacEwan, Mark Schoesler, and Derek Stanford

Law & Justice Committee:
Manka Dhingra (Chair), Yasmin Trudeau (Vice Chair), Patty Kuderer, Jim McCune, Mike Padden, Jamie Pedersen, Jesse Salomon, Nikki Torres, Javier Valdez, Keith Wagoner, and Lynda Wilson

Local Government, Land Use, & Tribal Affairs Committee

Liz Lovelett (Chair), Jesse Salomon (Vice Chair), Claudia Kauffman, Shelly Short, and Nikki Torres

Rules Committee:
Denny Heck (Lt. Governor, Chair), Karen Keiser (Vice-Chair), Andy Billig, John Braun, Annette Cleveland, Chris Gildon, Bob Hasegawa, Curtis King, Patty Kuderer, John Lovick, Ron Muzzall, Jamie Pedersen, Ann Rivers, Rebecca Saldana, Jesse Salomon, Shelly Short, and Clair Wilson,

State Government & Elections Committee:
Sam Hunt (Chair), Javier Valdez (Vice Chair), Perry Dozier, Phil Fortunato, Bob Hasegawa, Patty Kuderer, and Jeff Wilson

Transportation Committee:
Marko Liias (Chair), John Lovick (Vice Chair), Sharon Shewmake (Vice Chair), Annette Cleveland, Phil Fortunato, Drew Hansen, Brad Hawkins, Jeff Holy, Claudia Kauffman, Curtis King, Liz Lovelett, Drew MacEwan, T’wina Nobles, Mike Padden, Javier Valdez, Claire Wilson, and Jeff Wilson

Ways & Means Committee:
June Robinson (Chair), Mark Mullet (Vice Chair – Capital), Joe Nguyen (Vice Chair – Operating), Andy Billig, Matt Boehnke, John Braun, Steve Conway, Manka Dhingra, Chris Gildon, Bob Hasegawa, Sam Hunt, Karen Keiser, Ron Muzzall, Jamie Pedersen, Emily Randall, Ann Rivers, Rebecca Saldana, Mark Schoesler, Nikki Torres, Kevin Van De Wege, Keith Wagoner, Judy Warnick, Lisa Wellman, and Lynda Wilson

Hint:  You can view bills by going to the following website and plug in the bill number for which you want to view the history and status:  http://dlr.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/ 

Thank you to the following people who contributed to this edition of the 2024 WA State NOW Weekly Legislative Alert

• Cathy Baylor

• Tori Frisk

• Lisa Utter

• Corah Whipple

• France Giddings

• Linda Malanchuk-Finan

• Patricia Weber

• Lisa Weber

• Christina Henry

• Maralyn Chase

• Linda Tosti-Lane

• Matthew Lang, C Good Strategy

Washington State NOW Legislative Alert

[1] https://www.theolympian.com/news/politics-government/article283020978.html

[2] https://lwvwa.org/resources/Documents/2023%20Action%20Workshop/ClimateCrisisEnergy2023.pdf