Here are several more good bills and bad bills making their way through the halls of Olympia. (Or should I say, through the “Zoom” meetings, where citizens have very limited access to their legislators. Forwarded by Ruth Peterson.
Good Bills –>
| SB 5207 | Freshman senator, Jeff Wilson, introduced this bill. It would streamline environmental permitting. This bill is scheduled for executive session on Feb 11th. Finally – some good news! | Senate Ag, Water, & Natural Resources |
| HB 1029 | Emergency orders and rules – this bill puts a 14 day cap on the Governor’s ability to take over all government during an emergency – Hearing tomorrow on Monday the 8th at 1:30 | House State Government & Tribal Affairs |
| SB 5037 | Sen. Braun introduced a bill requiring schools to offer face to face classes depending on COVID metrics. While we believe in local control, there needs to be some incentive for school districts to be required to meet face to face. Our kids have been out of school for a year. Some are thriving, but a huge number are going to suffer in their educational future forever because of this! | Senate Early Learning & K12 |
| SB 5114 | Sen. Braun introduced another big one. This would move all of the state into Phase 2 of the Governor’s “COVID plan,” allowing restaurants and other industries to open back up safely. We are killing our small businesses and the hospitality industry is suffering mightily. There were over 1600 people who signed up to testify. The vast majority were for the bill. This past week, the Republicans attempted yet again to bring this bill out of committee. They will likely try again. One wonders if the Democrats don’t want to go on record as voting no against all our businesses! | Senate State Government |
| SB 5243 | Senator Lynda Wilson introduced this bill that will streamline the approval of engineered plans. A little in the weeds, but honestly, trying to build anything in some counties is an absolutely nightmare – streamlining anything would be a blessing. | Senate Housing & local Govt |
| SB 5245 | Sen. Brown – Requiring written notification of crime victims before release of prisoners for certain crimes. This has moved to the budget committee. | Senate Ways & Means (budget) |
| SB 5316 | Sen. Wilson, L. – This is also in the weeds, but this is big. The state has gotten millions of dollars from the federal government to help with COVID expenses. It is the Legislature’s job to appropriate funds and decide where the money is spent. The Governor has taken that job over because of yet another loophole in the law. Senator Wilson’s bill requires that a committee, made up of legislators approve or reject a request for expenditure by the Governor. | Senate Ways & Means (budget) |
Bad Bills –>
| HB 1091 | Low Carbon Fuel Standards will definitely increase gas prices further. This obviously hurts everyone, but especially those in the rural areas. Scheduled to be exec’d on Feb 9th. Then it goes to rules. Article discussing this bill – https://www.washingtonpolicy. |
House Appropriations |
| HB 1018 | The “paddleboat tax” – you will have to take a class and pay a fee to be able to use a paddle boat, canoe, or kayak – waiting to be passed out of committee (the term is exec’d) | House Community & Econ Develp |
| SHB 1054 | This bill will really show you how far left the Democrats have moved. This bill outlaws almost every non-lethal tool that police have – including K9 Dogs – when faced with a dangerous or volatile situation. Just a horrific bill. It’s in Rules which means it could go to the House floor for a vote any day. | House Rules |
| HB 1099 | Do you ever want to own a house? Develop property. Do you care what happens to your community? This bill would require the goal of “climate change mitigation” to the goals of Growth Management. This will even require local governments to track your travel. Listen to Rep. Peter Abbarno discuss it. https://peterabbarno. |
House Appropriations |
| HB 1135 | Increase gas prices – Isn’t this one of the best ideas? Right when most of WA state has been out of work for the past year? This will be an 18 cent increase (on top of increases by low carbon fuel standards.) The bill report on this one doesn’t say much, but I linked to it anyway. It’s part of an entire transportation package that includes tons of new spending, as well. Wonder how much goes for the light rail boondoggle? | House Transportation |
| HB 1141 | Expanding assisted suicide | House Rules |
| HB 1225 | Creating school-based health centers in our schools. Basically removes the parent from the health decisions of their children. This one is fast-tracked, as well. Scheduled to be passed out of committee before the end of the week. | House Appropriations |
| SB 5038 | Prohibits open carry at demonstrations at the Capitol. Another Second Amendment issue – this could go to the floor for a vote any day now. | Rules |
| SB 5044 | Imposing Critical Race Theory on our children in public school. This one is fast tracked, folks. May be on the floor this week, passed and sent to the House for a quick pass and then, boom, into law before the end of February. You need to organize and work to get this defeated. | Passed the Senate vote 30-19 Now in House Education |
| SB 5052 | Concerning the creation of health equity zones. This is the year of racial equity & social justice. These bills are fast tracked and will likely be passed. There are a bunch of them. I’m only hitting on a few. These are racists bills. If you have to check a person’s color or gender to be able to choose what action to take, you are doing it wrong! | Senate Ways & Means (budget) |
| SB 5078 | Hi Cap Magazine ban Bill – could go to the floor for a vote any day now | Rules |
| SB 5096 | Capital Gains Income Tax – make no mistake. This is a push for an income tax. The next step is to be exec’d (passed) out of committee | Senate Ways & Means (budget) |
| ESSB 5121 | This bill will allow for early release of even more felons. It was passed in the Senate along party lines this past week, with the Democrat majority rejecting a long list of amendments that would have protected victims and put important restrictions on the program. It’s headed for the House. | It has passed the Senate and is headed fro the House. |
| SB 5188 | The WA State Bank. Terrible idea, but they are definitely pushing it. We have great credit ratings in this state, thanks to Treasurer Duane Davidson. They want to destroy that good rating by creating our own state bank. Not the place of government to do that! This bill is scheduled to be exec’d on Feb 9th. Let’s hope that’s as far as it goes! | Senate Business & Finance |
| SB 5204 | Universal healthcare. Because government just runs everything else so well! | No hearing scheduled yet – Senate Health & LTC |
| SB 5340 | Changes the qualification for running for School Board from requiring citizenship to just being a permanent legal resident. The next step after this is allowing permanent legal residents to vote without requiring citizenship. Scheduled for a hearing on Feb 1 at 1:30 pm This is scheduled to be voted out of committee on Feb. 10th. You need to take action on this one – soon! | Senate Early Learning & K12 |
| SB 5371 | Soda Tax – all sweetened beverages would be taxed if this passes. | No hearing scheduled yet – Senate Health & LTC |
| SB 5373 | More increased prices – a Carbon Tax! | No hearing scheduled yet – Senate Env & Energy |
Follow what the House Republicans are doing in Olympia here: https://houserepublicans.wa.gov/
Follow what the Senate Republicans are doing in Olympia here: https://src.wastateleg.org/
Learn how YOU can be involved in the legislative process and make a difference: https://houserepublicans.wa.gov/2021/02/01/how-you-can-be-involved-in-the-legislative-process/
