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| January 29, 2024
Updates, News from Our Legislative Consultant Nancy Sapiro, Action Alerts, and More
First off, thanks to all who participated in AAUW-WA Lobby Day. We hope you found it informative and helpful as you engage in your advocacy.
This week marks the beginning of the legislature careening towards its first round of bill cutoffs. With well over 1,000 bills having been introduced since the start of session, the race is on to get bills passed through their respective committees before the bill cutoff dates. Bills must be voted out of the policy committee in their house of origin by January 31. Policies with a financial implication for the state will then need to make a stop in one of the fiscal committees, with a deadline of February 5 to be voted out of those. The legislative process is a series of hurdles designed to winnow down the number of bills being considered and many bills will die in the coming weeks either because they are problematic, too expensive, or for sheer lack of time.
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Legislative Lingo
A quick primer on some of the terms used in these updates
What is Executive Action? The policy committee considering the bill votes on whether to amend the bill, and whether to pass it out of committee. If executive action is taken, it means the bill has passed out of committee and continues on in the process.
What is the Rules Committee? The Rules Committee (of both the House and the Senate) considers all bills reported from policy and fiscal committees and determines whether, and in what order, to schedule their consideration on the floor.
What happens in Appropriations and/or Ways and Means? Both of these committees are fiscal committees – the House calls it Appropriations and the Senate calls it Ways and Means. These committees write the state operating budget, which determines how state revenue is spent on the public's priorities such as education, health care, and public safety. They also must consider any policy bills that require the expenditure of state dollars that will have an impact on the budget as a whole.
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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 Senate bill passed out of Senate Early Learning on January 17 and is scheduled to be heard in Ways & Means on January 30. Click here to follow along with the hearing next week.
The companion House bill has been introduced but no action has been taken on the bill.
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If you want to register your support for the Senate bill prior to the hearing, click here.
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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 in Senate Rules.
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 is ready to go to the floor for a vote of the House.
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Establishing an Artificial Intelligence Task Force
SB 5838 / HB 1934
Sponsors: Senator Nguyen and Rep Couture
Artificial intelligence (AI) is definitely on the minds of legislators in Washington this year, with bills being introduced by members of both parties, addressing the use 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: The Senate bill will be heard in the Senate Ways & Means Committee on January 30. Click here to follow along with the hearing. (Also see Act Now below)
The companion House bill, HB 1934, was heard in the Consumer Protection & Business Committee on January 19 and is scheduled to move out of committee on the 26th.
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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: SB 5424 passed the Senate unanimously and is now in the House. It should be scheduled soon for public hearing in the Community Safety, Justice, & Reentry Committee.
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. This change was made to the state's PFML program in 2021 and has had no impact on the program. Allowing workers to use sick leave to care for chosen family is especially important to Black, Indigenous, and communities of color, immigrant communities, and the LGBTQ+ community who are more likely to depend on non-biologically related family members for care.
Update: The Senate bill is in Rules. The House companion bill, HB 1991, is scheduled to move out of committee on January 26.
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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.
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: The Senate bill needs to be brought to the floor for a vote.
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Please reach out to your state senator and ask them to bring KOCA to the floor and to vote YES. Click here to send a message to your senator.
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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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