TVW Daily Legislative Update: Recent Episodes
TVW
From Olympia, TVW publishes a 90-second daily recap of a legislative event every weekday during the Washington state legislative session. For a full recap of the legislature's activities visit https://www.tvw.org/shows/legislative-review.
The Washington state Senate debated HB 2124, relating to collective bargaining rights for legislative employees.
Today's Legislative update is on a bill that would reduce tolls for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.
On March 7, the Senate Ways and Means Committee convened to discuss a bill that would create a sales tax holiday on September 3-5.
On this Legislative Update we take a look at a bill that tries to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings.
On this segment of Legislative Update we cover a resolution by the WA State Senate which supports Ukrainian Americans.
Today's Legislative Update covers a bill that would allow schools to excuse student absences due to mental health reasons
On this segment of Legislative Update we take a look at Governor Inslee's state indoor mask policy updates.
This Legislative Update is on a bill that would help make schools more equipped for earthquakes and tsunamis.
The house of representatives debates and votes on a bill that affects benefits and prices for Uber and Lyft drivers
The House Environment and Energy Committee meets for a public hearing where they discuss Senate Bill 5703, which bans the addition of certain toxic chemicals in cosmetics.
State Senate Democrats unveiled their proposed supplemental operating budget during a press conference.
On this segment of Legislative Update we cover a bill concerning medical translations on prescription bottles.
Legislative Update covers a bill that could potentially help reduce the cost of insulin.
This Legislative Update covers a bill concerning the energy efficiency of certain appliances.
On this segment of Legislative Update aSenate committee discusses a bill that aims to help address overdose and suicide fatalities.
On this segment of Legislative Update the House of Representatives passes SHB 1571 concerning missing indigenous people.
In this Legislative Update the Washington State Senate convened floor action on SB 5942 regarding the Uniform College Athlete Name, Image, or Likeness Act.
In this Legislative Update House of Representatives holds a floor session on HB 1901 concerning civil protection orders.
Senate Law & Justice Committee held a hearing on House Bill 1719, which aims to ease restrictions on law enforcement's use of military equipment. This would allow the use of firearms at least .50 caliber or greater, except for rifles.
On the final day for fiscal committees to act on bills, members of the House Appropriations convene for a public hearing on House Bill 1181, which aims to help prevent military and veteran suicide.
House Appropriations Committee covers a bill to strengthen housing assistance for youth exiting the state's child welfare system
The House Finance Committee listens to a public hearing on HB 1734 regarding taxing certain alcoholic drinks.
The Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee discusses a bill to legalize Psilocybin a.k.a "Magic Mushrooms."
The House Local Government Committee covers a bill regarding homeless housing in Growth Management Areas (GMAs).
Senate Labor, Commerce and Tribal Affairs Committee discusses a bill to put new staffing regulations on hospitals and health care facilities.
The Senate State Government & Elections Committee holds a public hearing to discuss SB 5909 concerning Governor's use of emergency powers.
The Senate Labor, Commerce, and Tribal Affairs Committee holds a public hearing on a bill concerning covid-19 health care workers.
Members of the senate business, financial services, and trade committee convened to discuss a new proposal for tax reform in Washington state. Senate bill 5769 aims to exempt state property taxes on homes worth at least two-hundred-and-fifty-thousand dollars, and to eliminate B&O taxes for manufacturers. The bill also proposes to repeal the capital gains tax and Washington’s long-term care tax program.
The Senate Labor, Commerce, and Tribal Affairs Committee holds a public hearing to discuss SB 5559, which concerns the use of paid sick leave by uninsured employees.
The Senate Human Services, Reentry and Rehabilitation Committee discusses a bill to help with foster youth financial education.
The House Health Care and Wellness Committee held a public hearing on HB 1851, which expands access to abortion.
The House Transportation Committee listens to testimony on the status of highway rest areas.
The House Transportation committee heard testimony on the cold-water shock bill, HB 1595 - Installing signs on or near bridges to provide information to deter jumping.
The Senate Law and Justice Committee discusses SB 5573 -Concerning drug offender sentencing alternatives for offenders convicted of driving or control of a vehicle while under the influence.
The Washington state legislature begins the 2022 session. The 2022 legislative session is being held remotely dues to Covid restrictions.
Governor Jay Inslee gave his State-of-the-State address and Sen. Chris Gildon of Puyallup gave the Republican response.
The House also voted on the concurrence of several bills that have been amended by the senate thursday. One of them was House Bill 1168, which aims to reduce wildfires and improve long-term forest health.
In the afternoon of April 21st, the House convened for a floor debate on the highly-contentious capital gains tax bill. SB 5096 aims to impose a 7% tax on the sales of high-valued assets, such as stocks and bonds--with profits in excess of $250,000. The tax will fund child care and education in the state. Exempt from the tax are retirement funds, all real estate, agricultural resources such as farmland, livestock and timber; as well as qualified family-owned businesses, among others.
The House Appropriations Committee convened for an executive session Wednesday, April 21, to go over the highly-contentious Senate Bill 5476; also known as the “Blake Bill”. The bill addresses the Washington State Supreme Court's " State v. Blake" ruling that decriminalizes personal possession of certain amounts of drugs.
In the evening of April 19, state senators convened for a floor debate to discuss House Bill 1477, which aims to establish a national 988-crisis hotline to address behavioral health crises and suicide prevention. The hotline would be funded by an excise tax on certain telecommunications services -- which will mean an additional monthly charge on Washingtonians’ cell phone bills.
On Monday, April 19th the House Appropriations Committee held a Public Hearing to discuss Senate Bill 5126, also Known as the Climate Commitment Act.
In the afternoon of Thursday, April 15, the Senate held a floor debate on Senate Bill 5476, a response to the Washington Supreme Court's recent "Blake" decision that decriminalized personal possession of certain amounts of drugs.
On the evening of April 14th, State Representatives convened for a floor session to discuss concurrence on House Bill 1267--concerning independent investigations on police use of force. The bill aims to establish a new state office under the Governor, to look into incidents that involve peace officers’ use of deadly force.
Republican leaders gathered Wednesday morning during a virtual press conference to give their perspective on the legislative session so far.
Democratic leaders gave an update on the current legislative session at a virtual press conference held tuesday april 13th. Some of the bills that gained traction this session are those aimed at addressing the state’s child care crisis, covid relief, police accountability, climate change and tax reform--including implementing a statewide capital gains tax.
As its last bill before the deadline, the house took up SB 5044, which aims to dismantle institutional racism in the public school system by requiring training in equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism for k-12 teachers, staff, and school board directors.
In the evening of April 8th, state senators debated the passage of SB 5126, also known as the climate commitment act. Requested by Governor Jay Inslee, the climate commitment act aims to build a clean-energy economy and create accountability for limiting emissions across Washington state by establishing a cap and trade program. A cap-and-trade program is a system designed to curb carbon emissions and pollution, where a cap or limit is set on the allowable emissions produced by a business or organization, but, when that limit is reached, it also allows that organization to buy additional capacity from other businesses that have not fully used or reached their limit. The proposed cap and trade program will be implemented by the department of ecology and overseen by an environmental justice & equity panel for greenhouse gas emissions. The climate commitment act also aims to prioritize environmental equity by requiring an environmental justice review to ensure that the cap and trade program reduces air pollutants in highly-impacted communities.
State Representatives went through a number of bills on April 7th during a floor debate that lasted through the evening. Of them was Senate Bill 5066--an act that aims to require law enforcement officers to intervene when another officer uses excessive force, and for them to report any wrongdoing by a fellow officer to their supervisor.
On April 1, State Senators debated the passage of their proposed state operating budget for fiscal biennium 2021-2023, which, according to senate budget leader Christine Rolfes, totals $59.2 billion dollars--and includes $7 billion dollars from the federally-funded American Rescue Plan Act.
In the evening of April 6th, State Senators convened for a floor debate on HB 1054 - an act concerning police accountability, tactics and equipment used during arrests. HB 1054 is a highly-contentious bill that passed out of the house in late February, and has been amended in both chambers as of April 6th. In its original form, the bill proposed to end police use of chokeholds and neck restraints, off-leash dogs, shooting during hot pursuits, military equipment, tear gas, and no-knock warrants.
The Senate Transportation Committee convened Tuesday, April 6th for a public hearing on a transportation funding proposal called “Forward Washington." Introduced by Committee Chair Senator Steve Hobbs, “Forward Washington” is a comprehensive transportation and environmental plan concerning investments in green technology infrastructure and projects across Washington state. Among other sources, the proposal will be funded in part by cap and trade revenues, fuel taxes, the sales and use tax of vehicle parts, rental vehicles, transportation company fees, as well as those of construction projects related to "Forward Washington."
On Monday, April 5th, the Senate Ways and Means committee convened for a public hearing on SB 5476 - an act, that if passed, could potentially change how the state penalizes drug possession. Under current state law, any individual who unknowingly carries a controlled substance but is found guilty would receive the same legal penalties charged on someone who is also found guilty but is aware that they are in possession of said substances. Earlier in February, however, in a court ruling over State v. Blake, the Washington Supreme court found this to be unconstitutional and a violation of an individual’s due process. The bill aims to reinforce this by proposing certain “personal use amounts” of controlled substances, while prohibiting anyone over 21 years of age to knowingly possess an amount that exceeds this, and making it illegal for anyone under 21 to possess any amount of controlled substances.
On Friday, April 2, the Senate Ways and Means committee convened for an executive session to vote on several bills--among them, was house bill 1016, which aims to make June 19, also known as Juneteenth--a state legal holiday. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas learned that the civil war ended and the emancipation proclamation was signed--despite it happening two years earlier in 1863.
On Tuesday, March 30 the State Senate held a floor debate on the senate’s proposed capital or “construction budget”, which totals up to 6.2 billion dollars for the 2021-2023 biennium. The capital budget pays for the construction and maintenance of public buildings, like k-12 public schools, colleges, correctional facilities, state agency buildings, fish hatcheries, state hospitals and much more. The budget also acquires lands for the state, and funds infrastructure like broadband. Much of the money for the capital budget comes from the sale of state bonds.
The House Appropriations committee convened in the afternoon of March 30th for a public hearing on senate bill 5172--an act that aims to modify overtime standards for farm workers. Unlike most employees, agricultural employees are not paid time and a half if they work over 40 hours in a workweek. The bill aims to address this with a twofold strategy--first, it aims to eliminate the overtime exemption for farm workers by 2024; and--it aims to establish a phase-in approach to provide them overtime pay.
On Sunday March 28th, State Representatives debated the passage of ESSB 5038, which aims to ban the open carry of weapons that can cause injury or death at public demonstrations and state capitol grounds. The bill exempts law enforcement working at the scene, and anyone who owns or is leasing a private property within the vicinity. If it passes, violators may face gross misdemeanor charges and jail time for up to 364 days and a fine of up to $5,000.
On March 24th, state senators convened for a floor debate involving a number of bills. Among these, was HB 1078, an act relating to convicted felons’ voting rights.
A bill making its way through the legislature would allow the establishment of so-called, 'baby courts." Senator Chris Gildon (R-25th, Puyallup), the prime-sponsor of the SB 5331, was interviewed this week on TVW's, "Inside Olympia."
On March 24th, the Senate Health and Long-Term Care committee held a public hearing on house bill 1152--an act that aims to support the creation of comprehensive public health districts. Regional comprehensive public health district centers are facilities that provide coordinated public health services across the state while supporting local health jurisdictions.
The House Public Safety Committee convened on Tuesday, March 23rd, for a public hearing on SB 5361--an act relating to the resentencing of individuals convicted of drug offenses.
On Monday, march 22nd, the House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee convened for a public hearing on house bill 1552--an act that aims to prohibit the sale of personal data by state agencies to third parties. If passed, the bill would require these agencies to privately notify individuals about details regarding the collection of their personal data, where it might end up, and to what extent and purpose it could be used.It would also require state agencies by the end of each year, to prove to the office of privacy and data protection that they are not selling personal data to third parties.
On Friday, March 19th, the House Civil Rights & Judiciary committee convened for an executive session on senate bill 5038, which aims to prohibit the open carry of weapons at public demonstrations and state capitol grounds. These include weapons that can cause death or injury and are commonly used with the intent to kill or harm an individual. Exempt from the bill are law enforcement officers who are working at the scene, and anyone who owns or is leasing a private property within the vicinity. If the bill is enacted into law, violators may face gross misdemeanor charges and jail time for up to 364 days and a fine of up to $5,000.
On Thursday, the House Finance committee held a public hearing on HB1362--an act that proposes changing the annual property tax growth limit from from a 1 percent increase, to a formula that ties increases to population changes and inflation, capping annual increases at 3 percent.
On Tuesday March 16th, the House Public Safety Committee held a public hearing SB 5036, concerning the release of incarcerated individuals from total confinement before their sentence expires.
On Wednesday, March 17th, the Senate Health and Long Term Care committee held a public hearing on HB 1141--an act relating to the Washington death with dignity law.
On Monday, March 15, the House Finance Committee held a public hearing on SB 5096, also known as the capital gains tax bill.
On Friday, March 12th, the House Public Safety committee held a public hearing on several bills, one of which was SB 5054--an act that extends the look-back period of an individual’s history of prior impaired driving offenses to determine if they should be charged with a felony.
The Senate Housing & Local Government committee convened Thursday, March 11th, for a public hearing on several bills. One of them, was HB 1236, a landlord-tenant proposal that restricts evictions and has sparked lengthy, intense debate in the House of Representatives.
On Wednesday, March 10th, the Senate Environment Energy and Technology Committee convened for a public hearing on HB1091, an act relating to the clean fuels program.
The Washington State House of Representatives debated HB1213, regarding child care and early learning.
The Washington State Senate debated a capital gains tax bill on Saturday, March 6, 2021.
On Friday, March 5, State Representatives convened to debate a several bills on the floor, one of them was house bill 1099, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Washington by proposing changes to the state’s growth management act.The growth management act (or gma) is a series of state statutes adopted in 1990, that requires cities and counties to develop a comprehensive plan to manage population growth. The bill specifically requires the addition of addressing climate change to one of the goals in the state’s gma.
On Thursday, March 4th, the Senate Environment, Energy and Technology committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5373.
On Wednesday, March 3rd, State Representatives convened for a floor debate, and on the agenda was HB1186--an act, that if passed, will allow juvenile offenders who have served at least 60% of their term, to finish its remainder as members of the community--under the supervision of the department of children, youth and families.
On February 27, the state House of Representatives debated HB1091, an act relating to the clean fuels program.
On March 1st, the Senate convened for a floor debate. Among the bills on the agenda was senate bill 5141. Also known as the “heal act”, it aims to reduce environmental and health disparities on indigenous individuals, low income families, and communities of color through implementing recommendations by the environmental justice task force.
On February 25th, the Senate convened for a floor debate on SB 5038--an act that if passed, prohibits the open carry of weapons at public demonstrations and state capitol grounds.
On February 24th, state representatives convened for a floor debate involving a number of bills. among these, was HB 1078--an act that aims to restore voter rights for convicted felons.
On February 23rd, the House of Representatives held a floor debate on various bills. among these was HB 1356--which aims to prohibit the improper use of Native American names, symbols or images in public schools.
Among the items on the agenda in the House of Representatives was House Bill 1050, an act that aims to reduce greenhouse emissions caused by fluorinated gases.
On Monday, February 22nd, the Senate Health and Long Term Care committee held a public hearing on SB5371--an act relating to taxing sweetened beverages in order to fund public health services and health equity initiatives.
A bill heard in the Senate during a February 18 floor debate was Senate Bill 5284--concerning the elimination of subminimum wage certificates for persons with disabilities. Subminimum wage certificates are issued by the wage and hour division to employers who hire workers with disabilities that are paid below minimum wage.
Our February 18 coverage starts with a Senate floor debate, where one of the bills discussed was Senate Bill 5273, an act that aims to protect fish life by requiring anyone replacing a residential marine bulkhead to use the least impactful material possible for bank protection.
Later in the day on February 16, the Senate Ways and Means Committee convened for an executive session on Senate Bill 5096--concerning a capital gains tax.
On February 16, the House Finance Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 1299, which aims to reduce retail and hospitality businesses’ Business and Occupation tax rates to 0.34 percent.
The House Finance Committee heard a public hearing on HB 1496, concerning a capital gains tax.
On February 15, the Senate Labor, Commerce, and Tribal Affairs committee discussed SB 5438, which aims to provide unemployment benefits to undocumented immigrant workers who lost their job due to Covid, but aren't eligible to receive benefits.
On February 10, the House of Representatives convened for a floor session to discuss HB 1089 - An act pertaining to compliance audits of peace officers and law enforcement agencies.
At a Tuesday afternoon hearing, the House Appropriations Committee held a vote on House Bill 1091, relating to the clean fuels program, which establishes a low-carbon fuel requirement in Washington State.
On February 9, the House Public Safety Committee convened to discuss House Bill 1449, which aims to make coercive control a crime.
On Monday, February 8, the Senate Law and Justice Committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5148, concerning the harassment of election officials.
The House Rural Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee convened on February 5 for a public hearing on House Bill 1395. The bill directs the Department of Agriculture to ensure inclusion of underrepresented communities in farming and ranching.
On Thursday, February 4, the Senate Labor, Commerce and Tribal Affairs Committee convened to discuss Senate Bill 5212, relating to sports wagering.
On Wednesday, February 3, the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5377; a bill aimed at making individual health insurance plans more affordable.
On February 1, the House of Representatives convened for a floor debate on House Bill 1368, relating to federal funding for COVID-19 and the state’s emergency response.
On February 1, the Senate Law and Justice Committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5307, establishing the uniform pretrial release and detention act. The bill creates a comprehensive procedural framework for release and detention determinations.
On January 29, the Senate Transportation Committee held a public hearing to discuss a transportation funding proposal, called “Forward Washington”.
On Wednesday, January 27, State Senators convened to discuss Senate Bill 5061, relating to unemployment insurance.
On Wednesday, January 27, the Senate State Government and Elections Committee convened to discuss Senate Bill 5170, relating to employment after public service in state government.
On Tuesday, January 26th, the House Education Committee convened to discuss House Bill 1139, regarding the provision of safe drinking water for public schools.
On Monday, January 25th, the Senate Law and Justice Committee convened to discuss Senate Bill 5078--concerning firearm safety.
On January 22, the House Rural Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee convened to discuss House Bill 1168--relating to long-term forest health and the reduction of wildfires.
On Thursday, January 21, the Senate Housing and Local Government Committee convened to discuss senate bill fifty one thirty nine, a bill that prohibits landlords from imposing rent increases within the first six months after the eviction moratorium is lifted in March.
The House Environment Committee discussed HB1099 on January 19, 2021. The bill proposes changes to the growth management act. Part of the bill includes requirements for clean transportation. Proponents and opponents speak on the bill, and specifically, the transportation requirement.
On January 15th, the Senate Ways and Means Committee convened to discuss Senate Bill 5096--a bill relating to the Capital Gains Tax.
ON JANUARY FOURTEENTH THE HOUSE ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY COMMITTEE HELD A PUBLIC HEARING ON HOUSE BILL 1091, A BILL RELATING TO THE CLEAN FUELS PROGRAM, WHICH AIMS TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS (GHG) EMISSIONS TO 10% BELOW 2017 LEVELS BY 2028 AND 20% BELOW THAT BY 2035.
Governor Jay Inslee delivered his Inaugural address and Rep. Drew Stokesbary delivered the Republican perspective.
The 2021 legislative session opened amid debate over whether the session should be conducted virtually or in person.