State legislature starts passing bills, including SB 5044, forcing public schools to teach “systemic racism”

Jan 31, 2021 | 2021 Olympia Bills to Watch, Education, Olympia News & Views 2021

WashingtonVotes NEWS: Friday, January 29, 2021

State lawmakers debate and take first full votes on passing bills online in mostly empty House and Senate chambers

The House and Senate went into full floor sessions this past week to debate and vote on a dozen bills that had cleared the first steps toward legislative passage. Their respective chambers, however, were essentially empty except for the presiding officers and their staff and a few members spread among the House and Senate desks. Most members participated remotely using online connections.

The scene was remarkably different from the hustle and bustle that usually surrounded floor action during past legislative sessions, when presiding officers frequently had to call for order in the chamber. Some observers likened this year’s “virtual” proceedings to a football game played in an empty stadium.

At times, the interactions seemed awkward, as members intoned traditional phrases like: “Madam Speaker, I rise to support the amendment.” while their image was confined to small computer screens.

Voting procedure, too, was changed to accommodate the online protocol. Normally, many floor actions are settled by “voice” vote, when members simply shout “yes” or “no,” with no formal recorded vote needed. During this week’s proceedings, however, voice votes were cast electronically, raising questions by some members as to whether their individual votes were, in fact, being recorded. Lt. Governor Denny Heck, who presides over the Senate, assured Senators that such voice votes would not be recorded in legislative documents.

Under these constraints, the House passed a number of non-controversial bills by unanimous votes. Only HB 1121, to permit public and private schools to grant individual student emergency waivers from credit and subject area graduation requirements, garnered a split 85-11 recorded vote, with two members not voting.

In the Senate, SB 5044, to require professional training programs concerning ”equity, cultural competency, and dismantling institutional racism in the public school system,” was debated at length, both in-person and via online tools.

The bill, sponsored by a dozen Democrats led by Sen. Mona Das (D-Kent), passed along mostly partisan lines by a 30-19 vote. All Democrats voted for passage, as did Sen. Ron Muzzall (R-Oak Harbor).

A dozen amendments, including proposals to make such training voluntary and to broaden its scope beyond race to disabled students, failed by non-recorded “voice” votes.

If enacted, SB 5044 would introduce a training curriculum based on racial discrimination in public education by requiring school board members, district staff, and teachers to recognize they have created “institutional racism in the public school system.” The curriculum would require each of Washington 295 school districts to adopt the training. None of the bill’s proposed mandates would apply to private schools, homeschooling or non-public online education programs.

An analysis by Washington Policy Center finds that provisions of the bill likely violate the state’s Civil Rights Act and could lead to increased conflict and legal challenges in the state’s public education system. (See link below.)

WashingtonVotes.org is a free service provided by Washington Policy Center and is the go-to tracking tool to keep up with all the action in Olympia, especially during this mostly virtual session. Please check in often and follow us on Facebook and Twitter at #waleg.

Liv Finne of Washington Policy Center has written a very good piece about SB 5044.  READ IT HERE.

It’s easy to let your legislators know what you think about a bill.

Simply call the Legislative HOTLINE and give your information.

CALL THE HOTLINE AT 800-562-6000.

The simplest method about finding / tracking and learning more about a particular bill is through Washington Votes.org.  

The list below was developed by the Legislative Information Center. It includes resources that can help you navigate the Washington State Legislature’s remote 2021 Legislative Session.

Understanding the process

New to how the Legislature operates? Start here!

Watching and participating

See all the action and have your voice heard!

 

Track Legislation

Know where your bills are so you can watch and take part effectively.

Contacting Your Legislator

Start a Dialogue With Your Elected Officials.