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| January 22, 2024
Updates, News from Our Legislative Consultant Nancy Sapiro, Action Alerts, and More
Things were moving fast in the second week of this short, 60-day session. The week began with recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the floors of the House and Senate on Monday. While this day is a holiday for many, it is one of the busiest days in the legislative calendar, with constituents arriving by busloads to meet with their delegations.
With limited time in the 2024 session, legislators are making key decisions on which bills to prioritize. A total of 1,071 bills have been introduced so far, with 569 in the House and 502 in the Senate. Public hearings on policy issues will continue for another week, while decisions are being made on which bills will move on in the process.
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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.
Update: The Senate bill passed out of Senate Early Learning on January 17. It is now in Senate Ways and Means.
School Library Information and Technology Programs
SB 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: The bill is now in Senate Rules.
Implementing the Since Time Immemorial Curriculum
HB 1332
Sponsors: Rep Lekanoff
In 2015 the legislature mandated schools to teach Washington’s tribal history, culture, and government. This legislation would set minimum standards and 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) bills are 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 passed out of its policy committee and is now in Ways and Means. View the hearing.
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Flexible Work Hours for Peace Officers
SB 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 including alternative shift and work schedules.
Update: SB 5424 passed the Senate unanimously. The bill now moves to the House.
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 bill also expands the use of paid sick leave to include extreme weather events, such as snow days that result in the closure of child care centers or schools, and unsafe roads.
Update: The Senate bill is scheduled to move out of committee on January 22. Click here to watch the action. The House companion bill, HB 1991, was heard in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards on January 17 and is scheduled to move out of committee on the 26th. Click here to watch.
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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: SB 5241 is ready to be taken up by the full Senate. The sponsor of the bill has amendments ready, which are acceptable to the reproductive health care community, and which attempt to address some of the reasonable concerns raised by the Hospital Association. This would be a great time to reach out to your Senator (again) and urge them to support the bill.
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Use the "Send a comment on this bill to your legislators" button on the SB 5241 webpage. Or email them directly.
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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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