Week of February 26, 2024
Week of February 26, 2024

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“Legislative Updates and More”

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Thanks to Nancy Sapiro for providing the weekly updates on our Lobby Day and support bills. There are no action alerts included in this update but we will let you know if something comes up.

February 26, 2024
Updates, News from Our Legislative Consultant Nancy Sapiro, Action Alerts, and More

With only two more weeks of session remaining, there is still a lot of work to do. Last week was all about the budget and policy committee cutoff for bills from the opposite house. Both the House and Senate released their 2023-2025 supplemental budget proposals at the beginning of the week, and by week’s end, both chambers had passed their respective budgets.  The next step is for the House, Senate, and the Governor to enter into negotiations to resolve their differences and pass a final budget before March 7. As budget leaders from both houses dig into negotiations to come up with a final product, advocates are coming up against the final two cutoff deadlines before the last day of session, better known as Sine Die.  Monday, February 26, is the fiscal committee cutoff from the opposite house, and Friday, March 2, is the opposite house cutoff.  Time is short to get bills across the finish line!



Below is information on where AAUW-WA's legislative priorities stand as of February 26.
AAUW-WA has four areas of legislative priority for 2024: Education, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Economic Security, and Healthcare. (You can use these links to go to each section.) This issue contains brief summaries, updates and action alerts. For more complete bill summaries, refer to the January 15, 2024 "This Week in Olympia."
 
Supporting Students Who Are Chronically Absent
SB 5850 / HB 2146
Sponsors: Senator Braun and Rep Rule


Addressing the multi-faceted issues contributing to high absence rates in schools. 

Update: 
The bill passed unanimously through the Senate on February 13. SB 5850 passed out of House Education and is now in Appropriations. As of this writing, it has not been scheduled for hearing.

School Library Information and Technology Programs

ESSB 5102
Sponsor: Senator Wellman


Requiring school district boards of directors to provide resources and materials for the operation of school library information and technology programs, and ensuring that every student has access to a library technology program.


Update:
ESSB 5102 unfortunately did not move out of its House of origin by the February 13th cutoff and is now considered dead for the 2024 legislative session.

Implementing the Since Time Immemorial Curriculum
2SHB 1332
Sponsor: Rep Lekanoff


Setting minimum standards and a deadline for implementation of Since Time Immemorial, and clearing the way for state grants to help develop curricula. 

Update:
The bill passed unanimously out of the House on January 31. The bill moved out of policy committee on the 21st and is now in Ways & Means. As of this writing, it has not been scheduled for public hearing.
Establishing an Artificial Intelligence Task Force
SB 5838 / HB 1934
Sponsors: Senator Nguyen and Rep Couture

Crearting an AI task force that 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. SB 5838 was heard in House Appropriations on February 23 and is scheduled to move out of Appropriations on the 26th. Click here to follow along with the hearing.
Flexible Work Hours for Peace Officers
ESSB 5424
Sponsor: Senator Cleveland


Allowing law enforcement agencies to adopt flexible work policies for officers, such as working less than full-time when feasible, supplementing work during peak hours with part-time officers, and including alternative shift and work schedules.

Update: 
ESSB 5424 passed the Senate unanimously. The bill moved out of committee on February 19 and was heard in House Appropriations on the 22nd. The bill is now scheduled to move out of Appropriations on the 26th. Click here to follow along with the hearing.

Concerning Paid Sick Leave
SB 5793
Sponsor: Senator Saldaña 


Modifying the state's paid sick leave statute to amend the definition of family member within the law to include chosen family and allowing workers to use sick leave to care for chosen family.

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. It was heard on February 16 in the House Labor policy committee. It moved out of committee on the 20th and is now in Rules.
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. The bill did not come up for a vote and is therefore dead for the session.
Keep Our Care Act
ESB 5241/ HB 1263
Sponsors: Senator Randall and Rep Simmons
 

Ensuring that health entity mergers and acquisitions improve, rather than harm, access to affordable quality care. Giving the AG’s office the tools it needs to ensure that future health system mergers and other transactions improve access to care. Prohibiting a health entity consolidation that diminishes access to affordable quality care and ensuring AG oversight of all mergers. 

Update: The bill passed off of the Senate floor on February 8. The bill moved out of the House Health committee on the 20th and was heard in House Appropriations on the 23rd. ESB 5241 is now scheduled to move out of Appropriations on the 26th. Click here to follow along with the hearing.

Other bills that AAUW-WA is supportive of and tracking:

Reasonable Accommodations for Constructions Workers who Menstruate or Express Milk – EHB 2266
Sponsor: Rep Stonier

HB 2266 ensures that all employers in the state provide reasonable, sanitary accommodations for workers who menstruate, lactate, or express milk. Current law allows for exemptions for employers with mobile crews or those employing less than 15 workers.  Some of the reasonable accommodations defined in the bill are more frequent and longer bathroom breaks, modified work schedules, and providing seating when it is not usually available. The bill aims to protect the health of workers while also providing additional privacy on jobsites. 
 
Update: The bill has passed the House 84-13. It passed out of the Senate Labor committee and is now in Rules.


Promoting Inclusive Learning Standards and Instructional Materials in Public Schools – ESB 5462
Sponsor: Senator Liias 

This bill would require school districts to adopt curriculum that covers inclusive, age-appropriate materials that tell the histories, contributions, and perspectives of LGBTQ+ Washingtonians. 

Update: The bill passed out of the Senate on January 17 on a 29-19 vote. It passed out of House Education, was heard in Appropriations, and is scheduled for executive action on the 26th.


Harmonizing language relating to reproductive health care services and gender-affirming treatment – HB 1954
Sponsor: Rep Riccelli
 
Last year the Legislature passed a bill, HB 1340, which protects WA health care providers who provide reproductive and gender affirming care. An amendment was added to the bill, at the last moment, which resulted in some unnecessary confusion. As written, the law opens up the possibility of a court determining that the Legislature meant to provide more protections to providers in the context of an unprofessional conduct allegation than in the context of licensure/discipline. This bill is a technical clean-up bill to harmonize the two sections and avoid any future confusion around the law.  
 
Update: The bill passed out of the House on January 25 on a party line vote. It passed off of the Senate floor, 30-19, on February 22 and is now on its way to the Governor’s desk for his consideration.

AAUW-WA is also tracking:

Parental Rights Initiative – Initiative 2081

Initiative 2081 would codify a parents' bill of rights on matters ranging from reviewing textbooks and curriculum to obtaining student records, including disciplinary and health information, to being able to opt their child out of sex education. The measure would require parents to be able to review educational materials and receive copies of academic and medical records for free. It also says parents should “receive written notice and the option to opt their child out” of surveys, assignments, questionnaires, and other activities in which questions are asked about their child’s “sexual experiences or attractions” or their family religion or political affiliations.  
Update: There will be a public hearing on I-2081 on Wednesday, February 28. Click here to follow along. The Legislature can either choose to pass the initiative this session, take no action and let it go to the ballot; or pass an alternative proposal, which would send both I-2081 and the alternative to a vote of the people.

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.
Grace Woo
 



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