Final Report, March 11, 2024
Final Report, March 11, 2024
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It’s a wrap! The 60-day 2024 legislative session concluded on Thursday, March 7. The last day of the legislative session is called Sine Die, Latin for “without a day,” meaning the state legislature adjourned for the 2024 session without setting a specific return date.

March 11, 2024

As the clock ticked down, legislators finalized the supplemental operating, capitol, and transportation budgets; reconciled differences in their versions of bills that passed; and delivered their final bills to the Governor for his consideration. With well over a thousand bills being introduced in this short session, only 340 made it across the finish line. Since this is the second year of the biennium, any bills that did not pass are truly dead and those concepts will require that brand new bills be introduced next year to start the process anew. As for those bills that are delivered to Governor Inslee, at this point in the process, he has 20 days to sign or veto each bill Click here to see what bills are up for action. Bill action can be watched on TVW.

While we may be headed into interim, there are still many opportunities for your continued engagement. As legislators return to their districts, many of them will hold Town Halls. I encourage you to attend and ask questions – why didn’t something pass, what were the stumbling blocks, did they support a bill that you care about?  Additionally, consider reaching out over the interim to your legislators. As cliché as it may sound, they represent you and are always interested in hearing your perspective on public policy issues. 

Finally, all indications point to a wild election year as a significant number of legislators are either retiring or running for other positions. Stay on top of who is running for what office, consider getting involved in a campaign, and let your opinions be known. Happy Interim!

Nancy Sapiro
AAUW-WA Legislative Consultant
AAUW-WA has four areas of legislative priority for 2024: Education, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Economic Security, and Healthcare. For more complete bill summaries, refer to the January 15, 2024 "This Week in Olympia."
Below is how AAUW-WA's legislative priorities fared this session.
 
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 was referred to Appropriations. The bill did not advance out of Appropriations by fiscal cut-off and therefore DIED.

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 13 cutoff. It is 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 its policy committee on the 21st and was referred to Ways & Means. Unfortunately, HB 1332 did not advance out of that committee.
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: 
The bill was delivered to the Governor for his consideration on March 8.
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 was delivered to the Governor for his consideration on March 8.

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 was delivered to the Governor on March 7.
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 was 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, was heard in House Appropriations on the 23rd, and moved out of Appropriations on the 26th.  The bill was scheduled for floor debate on March 1. The House Democrats caucused for over four hours and then moved to adjourn without taking the bill up. Sadly, this means the bill is dead for the session.

Other bills that AAUW-WA is 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. The bill aims to protect the health of workers while also providing additional privacy on jobsites. 
 
Update: The bill was delivered to the Governor on March 7.


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 was delivered to the Governor on March 8.


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. This bill is a technical clean-up bill to harmonize the two sections and avoid any future confusion around the law.  
 
Update: The bill was signed by the Governor on March 7 and will become effective on June 6, 2024.


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: This initiative was heard on February 28 and executive action was taken on the initiative on March 1. As a reminder, the legislature’s options were to pass the initiative, 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. Both the House and Senate passed the initiative, on votes of 82-15 and 49-0 respectively. Initiatives do not require the governor’s signature and therefore, I-2081 will take effect in 90 days.
We welcome your input! Did this format for the weekly legislative updates work for you? What other information would be helpful? 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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