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Making Democracy Work | Environment | Social & Economic Policy |
Making Democracy Work
ELECTIONS AND MONEY IN POLITICS
HB 2341/SB 6130 Celebrating National Voter Registration Day.
The League of Women Voters is the largest on-the-ground partner for National Voter Registration Day (NVRD), celebrated on the third Tuesday in September. Since the holiday’s inception in 2012, the League has used this day to mobilize thousands of volunteers to register hundreds of thousands of voters nationwide. In these bills, the legislature recognizes the importance of fostering lifelong civic engagement and aligns Washington state with the national voter registration day celebrations and activities around the country. This bill is a request of the Office of the Superintendent of Instruction. A public hearing before the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee is scheduled for 8:00 am on January 27. Watch the hearing here.
⚠️ Sign in PRO on SB 6130 HERE before Tuesday, January 27 at 12:30 pm.
Establish An Electronic Ballot Portal
HB 2572 Increasing access to voting services for military, overseas, Native American, and disabled voters.
Directs county auditors to meet with tribal representatives about setting up voting centers and ballot drop boxes on reservations. Directs the secretary of state to establish “an electronic ballot portal” to be available to service voters, overseas voters, disabled voters and members of Indian tribes who reside on an Indian reservation. While the League supports efforts to improve voting access for Native Americans and other groups, the League has long had security concerns about electronic voting. While new technology has increased security, concerns still exist. We should not rely on vendors of the systems to confirm security. We hope the sponsors of the bill will split the two topics so we can support the efforts to support native voters. A public hearing before the House State Government and Tribal Affairs Committee is scheduled for 1:30 PM on January 28. Watch the hearing here.
⚠️ Sign in CON on HB 2572 HERE by Wednesday, January 28 at 12:30 pm.
LOCAL NEWS AND DEMOCRACY
HB 1170 Informing Users When Content is Developed or
Modified by Artificial Intelligence.
This bill, initiated by Rep. Shavers, steps in where the federal
government has failed to act. It requires producers and modifiers of artificial
intelligence with audiences of more than 1 million to make available an AI
detection tool. The measure also requires companies to identify AI-generated
images, videos or audio recordings by way of a watermark or other means. In the form of a second substitute, the bill establishes an
important industry standard and begins to address AI’s negative potentials. HB 1170 has a hearing
in House Committee on Appropriations on Monday, January 26, at 4:00 pm.
⚠️ Sign in PRO on HB 1170 HERE by Monday, January 26, at 3:00 pm.
Environment
AGRICULTURE
HB 2129 Fortifying agritourism.
Public Hearing Jan 28 at 8:00 am in House Local Government Committee.
⚠️Sign in PRO on HB 2129 HERE before Wednesday, January 28 at 7:00 am.
CLIMATE CRISIS & ENERGY
SB 5439 Divestment of funds under management by the state investment board from thermal coal.
Burning coal is the dirtiest way to produce electricity. It releases several carcinogenic toxins and pollutants including particulates. To avoid investing in the degradation of public health and the environment, this bill directs the state investment board to begin orderly divestment from coal-based energy industry, from mining to coal-fired electricity generation. SB 5439 is scheduled for hearing in Senate Ways & Means Jan 29 at 4:00 pm.
⚠️ Sign in PRO on SB 5439 HERE by Thursday Jan 29, 3:00 pm
SB 6172 Eliminating preferential treatment related to a coal-fired electric generating plant.
This bill and its House companion remove the exemption from the Cap-and-Invest Program (Climate Commitment Act) for coal-fired electric generation facilities after January 1, 2026, meaning they must purchase allowances to emit greenhouse gases if they operate after that date, and pay other previously exempted taxes. SB 6172 has a hearing on Jan 28 in Senate Environment, Energy & Technology at 8:00 am.
⚠️ Sign in PRO on SB 6172 HERE by Wednesday, Jan 28, 7:00 am
HB 2496 Tribal consultation conducted by the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council.
The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) coordinates all evaluation and licensing steps for siting certain energy facilities and specifies the conditions of construction and operation. Current law requires the EFSEC to fully consult with affected federally-recognized tribes during energy site certification. This bill requires the EFSEC to summarize the result of the consultation and allow the tribe to amend the summary or submit its own, before submitting the siting recommendation report to the Governor. HB 2496 has a hearing in House Environment & Energy on Monday, Jan 26 at 1:30 pm.
⚠️ Sign in PRO on HB 2496 HERE by Monday, Jan 26, 12:30 pm
FORESTS
HB 2170/SB 5999 Expanding revenue generation and economic opportunities from natural climate solutions and ecosystem services.
This bill would give the DNR the legal authority to expand revenue generation from natural climate solutions and ecosystem services—such as carbon storage—rather than clearcut logging. Action is needed now to give Washington's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) a better way to protect older forests—while generating revenue from ecosystem services instead of destroying them.
⚠️Tell your legislators HERE to SUPPORT HB 2170/SB 5999.
HB 2117/SB 5838 Adding a tribal member to the board of natural resources.
This is an agency request by Lands Commissioner Upthegrove to add a tribal representative to the Board of Natural Resources, expanding it from six to seven members. The goal of this bill is to bring traditional ecological knowledge, improve collaboration, and build trust with tribes regarding the management of forests and public lands. The legislation stipulates that the governor will appoint the tribal representative for a four-year term after soliciting nominees from federally recognized tribes in Washington state. HB 2117 is scheduled for hearing in House Agriculture & Natural Resources at 9:30 am on Jan 27.
⚠️ Sign in PRO on HB 2117 HERE before 8:30 am on Jan. 27.
HB 2170/SB 5999 Expanding revenue generation and economic opportunities from natural climate solutions and ecosystem services.
This legislative session, Washington lawmakers are considering a bill that would give the Washington’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) the legal authority to expand revenue generation from natural climate solutions and ecosystem services—such as carbon storage—rather than clearcut logging. Action is needed now to give DNR a better way to protect older forests—while generating revenue from ecosystem services instead of destroying them. HB 2170 is scheduled for hearing in House Agriculture & Natural Resources on Jan 28 at 8:00 am.
⚠️ Please sign in PRO on HB 2170 HERE before 7:00 am on Jan. 28.
Social & Economic Policy
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
HB 2595 Extending the time to seek post-conviction relief.
Under current law, people convicted of a crime have only one year to file a petition for post-conviction relief. This bill would extend that period to five years and grant people who have previously had a petition denied as untimely four years to refile. HB 2595 is scheduled for hearing in House Civil Rights & Judiciary on Jan 28 at 8:00 am.
⚠️ Sign in Pro on HB 2595 HERE by Jan. 28 at 7:00 am.
SB 5945 No Juvenile Strikes.
This would eliminate the use of any conviction for a crime committed before age 18 as a "strike" offense and require resentencing for people who are serving life without parole due to one or more underlying convictions for crimes committed before the person turned 18. SB 5945 scheduled for hearing in Senate Ways & Means on Jan 29 at 3:00 pm.
⚠️ Sign in Pro on HB SB 5945 HERE by Jan. 29 at 2:00 pm
HEALTHCARE
SB 6292 Establishing a joint legislative executive committee on health care financing.
Establishing a convening of state experts to develop recommendations and strategies to stabilize the health care system, including ensuring access to care and making health care premiums, health care services, and medications more affordable for the residents of Washington state because of the federal undermining of the health care system. SB 6292 is scheduled for hearing in Senate Health & Long-Term Care on Jan 29 at 8 am.
⚠️ Sign in PRO on SB 6292 HERE by Thursday, January 29 at 7 am.
SB 5947 Establishing the Washington health care board.
The health care board shall design and implement the Washington health plan to provide for all medically necessary health care services for all residents of the state subject to a federal waiver for a state-based universal health care plan, federal funding to support the implementation of the plan is received, and any necessary implementing legislation has been adopted by the legislature. SB 5947 is scheduled for hearing in Senate Health & Long-Term Care at 8 am on Jan 29.
⚠️ Sign in PRO on SB 5947 HERE by Thursday, January 29 at 7 am.
SJR 8206 Amending the Constitution to establish a right to affordable health care.
The secretary of state shall submit to the qualified voters of the state a chance to vote on a new Article to the Constitution of the state of Washington, thus meeting the state’s obligation to ensure that every resident of Washington has access to cost-effective, clinically appropriate, and affordable health care as a fundamental right. SJR 8206 is scheduled for hearing in Senate Health & Long-Term Care at 8 am on Jan 29.
⚠️ Sign in PRO on JR 8206 HERE by Thursday, January 29 at 7 am.
HB 2250/SB 5959 Concerning residency requirements for charity care.
Defines that eligibility for charity care is limited to Washington state residents who currently lives in Washington and meets various other eligibility requirements (job, length of residency, etc). HB 2250 is scheduled for hearing in House Healthcare & Wellness on Jan 27 at 1:30 pm.
⚠️ Sign in CON on HB 2250 HERE by Tuesday, January 27 at 12:30 pm.
HB 1812 Concerning patient-centered equitable access to anesthesia services and reimbursement.
Preventing commercial health insurers from imposing time caps, denial of coverage or physical status caps for anesthesia during surgery. The bill notes that insurers have targeted some of the most vulnerable patients receiving anesthesia care including those under the age of one, those over the age of 70, those in emergency conditions, and those with severe systemic diseases or illnesses. HB 1812 is scheduled for hearing in House Health Care & Wellness at 1:30 pm on Jan 27.
⚠️ Sign in PRO on HB 1812 HERE by Tuesday, January 27 at 12:30 pm.
HB 2564/SB 6210 Concerning the health plan certification process.
Permits the Health Benefit Exchange to develop market factor criteria as an additional criteria for insurance carriers to meet as part of the health plan certification process thus safeguarding access and affordability for exchange customers through the health plan certification process to reduce volatility in federal environment. HB 2564 is scheduled for hearing in House Health Care & Wellness on Jan 28 at 1:30 pm.
⚠️ Sign in PRO on HB 2564 HERE by Wednesday, January 28 at 12:30 PM.
HB 1809 Professionalizing first responders and co-responders through training and reimbursement for behavioral health emergency response.
Recognizes the need for high acuity first response services for people experiencing behavioral health emergencies to complement the 988 crisis line and behavioral health crisis response system. To help address this need, 911 and 988 response systems must work together to create a seamless crisis care delivery. HB 1809 is scheduled for hearing on Jan 28 at 1:30 pm in House Health Care & Wellness.
⚠️ Send a comment in SUPPORT of HB 1809 to your legislators HERE by Wednesday, January 28 at 12:30 PM.
HB 2384 Increasing regulatory oversight of continuing care retirement communities.
Clarifies definition of "Life care contract," means a contract to provide a person, for the duration of their life or for a term in excess of one year, nursing, medical services, or personal care services and board and lodging when an entrance fee is paid, and develops standards for actuarial analysis in order for the facility to meet its contract obligations. HB 2384 is scheduled for executive action on Jan 28 at 1:30 pm in House Health Care & Wellness.
⚠️ Send a comment in SUPPORT of HB 2384 to your legislators HERE by Wednesday, January 28 at 12:30 PM.
SB 6182 Establishing an abortion savings program.
Establishing an abortion savings program through a tax on health carriers. SB 6182 scheduled for hearing Jan 27 at 10:30 am in Senate Health & Long-Term Care.
⚠️ Sign in PRO on SB 6182 HERE by Tuesday, January 27 at 9:30 am.
HB 1496 Strengthening patients' rights regarding their health care information.
Promoting access to information and providing enforcement protections for the appropriate use of the information by charging a fee for providing health info to a person, limit of $50 for 3rd parties. Scheduled for executive session in House Health Care & Wellness on Jan 30 at 8:00 am.
⚠️ Send a comment in SUPPORT of HB 1496 to your legislators HERE by Friday, January 30 at 7 am.
IMMIGRANTS
Violation of Rights During Immigration Enforcement
HB 2597 Concerning remedies for violations of federal constitutional rights occurring during immigration enforcement.
This bill builds on case law that holds that federal employees may be liable for damages for violations of federal laws, that federal employees do not have immunity from state laws while acting in the course of their employment, and that federal officials are subject to laws for damages for abuse of power. It asserts that violating the federal constitutional rights of residents of the United States is never necessary or proper and that Washington State has the right to adjudicate claims of federal constitutional violations. This bill will have a public hearing in the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee on January 28 at 8:00 am.
⚠️Sign in PRO on HB 2597 HERE before 7:00 am on Wednesday, January 28.
Fine Private Detention Facilities for Lack of Access
SB 6286 Concerning the state's ability to fine private detention facilities that deny entry to the department of health for an inspection.
Last legislative session HB 1232 Inspection of private detention facilities by Department of Health (DOH) passed and was signed by Governor. However, DOH has been denied entry to conduct inspections. This bill defines consequences for not following state law. SB 6286 levies civil fines for failure to permit entry by DOH. Fines will be allocated to the federal enforcement accountability and community repair account and are designated to be used to provide assistance to individuals or families with members that have been wrongfully detained and released by the court, assaulted, or killed by agents employed by the United States immigration and customs enforcement. This bill will have a public hearing in the Senate Committee on Human Services on January 28 at 4:00 pm.
⚠️Sign in PRO on SB 6286 HERE before 3:00 pm on Wednesday, January 28.
Divest Public Investment in Private Detention
SB 6109 Prohibiting investment of funds under management by the state investment board in private detention facilities.
The bill requires that no new investments by the state investment board be made in any entity that owns, operates, or invests in a private detention facility and that by January 1, 2030 no state investment board funds are invested in such entities. The bill provides a caveat about divestment avoiding monetary loss. The purpose of the bill is to ensure that Washington State neither invests in nor profits from the private detention of individuals. Investing in private detention facilities can pose significant ethical, reputational, and financial risks due to documented human rights abuses, poor safety records, and high volatility driven by political changes. This bill will have a public hearing in the Senate Ways & Means Committee on January 29 at 4:00 pm.
⚠️Sign in PRO on SB 6109 HERE before 3:00 pm on Thursday, January 29.
K-12 Education
HB 2262 Relating to civics education for public school students through instruction and information about the production and use of official signatures.
Beginning with or before the 2027-28 school year, students will receive instruction in producing an official cursive signature. This instruction will include how signatures are used by officials in elections, initiative, referenda, and recall processes. This bill is scheduled for public hearing in the House Education Committee on Jan 29 at 8:00 am.
⚠ ️Sign in PRO on HB 2262 HERE before 7:00 am on Thursday, Jan 29.