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| February 12, 2024
Updates, News from Our Legislative Consultant Nancy Sapiro, Action Alerts, and More
We are now officially more than halfway through this short 60-day 2024 legislative session. Last week, fiscal committees held marathon sessions, deciding the fate of those bills that had significant fiscal implications. Bills that did not advance out of these committees are dead for the session. Since the fiscal cut-off of February 6, legislators have been working day and night (and through the weekend) to get their bills heard, as the next big deadline approaches. By February 13, bills will have to be passed out of their house of origin. The remaining half of the session will be a race to meet the remaining cutoff deadlines.
Below is information on where AAUW-WA's legislative priorities stand as of February 12.
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Supporting Students Who Are Chronically Absent
SB 5850 / HB 2146
Sponsors: Senator Braun and Rep Rule
The bill seeks to tackle the multi-faceted issues contributing to high absence rates in schools.
Update: The bill is ready to be taken up by the Senate, as of February 6.
AAUW-WA sent an email to Senator Braun (primary sponsor) in support of this bill moving to the floor for a vote.
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School Library Information and Technology Programs
ESSB 5102
Sponsor: Senator Wellman
This bill would require school district boards of directors to provide resources and materials for the operation of school library information and technology programs, and to ensure that every student has access to a library technology program.
Update: This bill is not moving forward. A related bill HB 2331 that addresses issues related to instructional materials passed the House 58/39 and is on our support list.
Implementing the Since Time Immemorial Curriculum
2SHB 1332
Sponsor: Rep Lekanoff
In 2015 the legislature mandated schools to teach Washington’s tribal history, culture, and government. This legislation would set minimum standards, a deadline for implementation of Since Time Immemorial, and clear the way for state grants to help develop curricula.
Update: The bill passed out of the House on January 31 with unanimous support. There will be a public hearing on the bill in Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education on February 14.
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If you would like to register your support, click here.
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Establishing an Artificial Intelligence Task Force
SB 5838 / HB 1934
Sponsors: Senator Nguyen and Rep Couture
Artificial intelligence bills have been introduced by members of both parties, addressing the use of AI in court filings, intimate images, and more. The task force would include representatives from the legislature, state agencies, tribes, trade groups, civil liberties organizations, education, consumer advocates, and businesses.
Update: An amended bill passed off of the Senate floor on February 8, 31-18. The companion House bill, HB 1934, was also amended and moved out of its fiscal committee on February 5. It is now in Rules.
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Flexible Work Hours for Peace Officers
ESSB 5424/ HB 1413
Sponsors: Senator Cleveland and Rep Shavers
In an effort to increase the diversity of the workforce in law enforcement, SB 5424 would allow law enforcement agencies to adopt flexible work policies. These policies may allow officers to work less than full-time when feasible, such as supplementing work during peak hours with part-time officers, and include alternative shift and work schedules.
Update: ESSB 5424 passed the Senate unanimously on January 17. It is scheduled to be heard in the House Committee on Community Safety, Justice, & Reentry on February 14. Click here to follow along with the hearing.
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If you would like to register your support of the bill, sign in PRO, click here.
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Concerning Paid Sick Leave
SB 5793/ HB 1991
Sponsors: Senator Saldaña and Rep Fosse
SB 5793 modifies the state's paid sick leave statute to amend the definition of family member within the law to include chosen family. It also included a section to provide paid sick leave for transportation drivers related to inclement weather and declared emergencies.
Update: SB 5793 passed through the Senate on February 7 on a 28/21 vote with amendments that narrowed the scope of the bill, eliminating the provisions around using leave for weather events. SB 5793 is now scheduled to be heard on February 16 in the House policy committee. Click here to follow the hearing.
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Reproductive Freedom Constitutional Amendment
Senate Joint Resolution 8202/ HJR 4201
Sponsors: Senator Keiser and Rep Gregerson, at request of Governor Inslee
This is a proposal to amend the State Constitution to specify that the state cannot interfere with an individual’s reproductive freedom decisions. This includes the right to have an abortion and the right to choose to use contraception.
Update: The resolution is in Senate Rules. Because this is a proposal to amend our constitution it requires a 2/3 vote of the Senate, not a simple majority, for it to advance. AAUW-WA signed a letter of support along with other women’s rights organizations to ask that the bill be called to the floor for a vote.
Keep Our Care Act
SB 5241/ HB 1263
Sponsors: Senator Randall and Rep Simmons
You’ll remember this bill from last year’s weekly updates. SB 5241 would ensure that health entity mergers and acquisitions improve, rather than harm, access to affordable quality care. It would give the AG’s office the tools it needs to ensure that future health system mergers and other transactions improve access to care. Specifically, the bill would prohibit a health entity consolidation that diminishes access to affordable quality care and would ensure AG oversight of all mergers. It also would allow for community input through public notification of proposed consolidations and the opportunity for public input and comment.
Update: Big news! After hours of floor debate on February 8, the bill passed out of the Senate 28-21. Thanks to all of you for your advocacy on behalf of this policy! SB 5241 now moves to the House where we anticipate it will be heard in House Civil Rights and Judiciary on February 14.
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We welcome your input! Our goals for "This Week in Olympia"? Quick to read and easy to find information of interest to YOU. Email suggestions to communications@aauw-wa.org.
More information about Public Policy is available on our AAUW-WA website. Questions? Contact Sandra Distelhorst, publicpolicy@aauw-wa.org.
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