Monday
With two weeks to policy cutoff, committees continue to hear and vote on bills. Monday, the Community Safety Committee has a public hearing scheduled on HB 1512 from Rep. Chipalo Street (D-Seattle), a data-driven approach to reducing traffic fatalities that ensures enforcement is focused where it matters most. In the Education Committee, a public hearing will be held on HB 1634, prime sponsored by Rep. My-Linh Thai (D-Bellevue), which provides additional assistance and resources for comprehensive supports across the behavioral health spectrum.
In the Environment & Energy Committee, two bills addressing community solar are scheduled for public hearings: HB 1598 from Rep. Adam Bernbaum (D-Port Angeles) concerning fair access to community solar and HB 1804 from Rep. Jake Fey (D-Tacoma) improving accessibility of community solar projects.
HB 1732, prime sponsored by Rep. Brianna Thomas (D-Seattle), is scheduled for a public hearing in Housing. The bill limits excessive home buying by investment and business entities. HB 1768 from Rep. Debra Lekanoff (D-Anacortes) similarly limits purchases of manufactured housing communities. In Appropriations, members will vote on moving forward this year’s Rent Stabilization bill, HB 1217 from Sen. Emily Alvarado (D-Seattle).
Tuesday
In the Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee, the public will have the opportunity to testify on HB 1056, prime sponsored by Rep. Darya Farivar (D-Seattle). The bill strengthens and clarifies the authority of the Attorney General to investigate complaints against law enforcement and corrections agencies. In the Local Government Committee, a hearing is scheduled on Rep. Sharon Wylie’s (D-Vancouver) HB 1690 to produce a continuing assessment on maintenance and upgrade needs of water and sewer systems. The Technology, Economic Development & Veterans Committee has executive session scheduled for the Right to Repair Act (HB 1483) from Rep. Mia Gregerson (D-SeaTac).
Votes are scheduled in the Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee on HB 1554 from Rep. Joe Timmons (D-Bellingham) to provide greater equity for eligibility in the College Bound Scholarship Program and HB 1556 from Rep. Debra Entenman (D-Kent) to expand tuition waivers for high school completers at community and technical colleges. The State Government & Tribal Relations Committee also has votes scheduled on HB 1710 from Rep. Sharlett Mena (D-Tacoma) concerning compliance with the Washington Voting Rights Act and HB 1750 from Rep. Natasha Hill (D-Spokane) which creates guidelines for voter suppression and voter dilution claims. Finally, the Housing Committee is scheduled to vote on Rep. Julia Reed’s (D-Seattle) HB 1491 to promote transit-oriented housing development.
Wednesday
Floor action is scheduled for the morning.
The midpoint of the week brings more hearings and votes on bills, starting with the Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee. The committee will hold a vote on HB 1735, from Rep. Lisa Parshley (D-Olympia), to prohibit the force-feeding of birds. The Labor Committee will hold a hearing on HB 1739, prime sponsored by Rep. Mary Fosse (D-Everett), regulating the use of self-service checkout stations.
And in the Local Government Committee, HB 1353 from Rep. Alex Ramel (D-Bellingham) is scheduled for possible executive session. The bill helps address the housing crisis by helping reduce permit wait times through a trial program cities could opt into. In the State Government & Tribal Relations Committee, Rep. Mena’s HB 1759 designating December 12th as the Day of the 12s is scheduled for executive action.
Thursday
Floor action is scheduled for the morning.
Thursday’s committee hearings include new legislation from Rep. Mena, HB 1903, to create a statewide energy bill assistance program for low income families. And in the Appropriations Committee, Rep. Gregerson’s HB 1339 is scheduled for a public hearing. The bill allows cities and towns to choose to hold their elections in even-numbered years, instead of odd-numbered years.
The Transportation Committee has a public hearing on Rep. Fey’s new Road Usage Charge bill to replace the gas tax over the next decade, HB 1921.
Friday
The week comes to an end with a public hearing on HB 1721 in the Consumer Protection & Business Committee. The bill allows for direct sales of zero-emission vehicles by manufacturers, under certain circumstances. In the Health Care & Wellness Committee, a hearing is scheduled for Rep. Osman Salahuddin’s (D-Redmond) HB 1811 to enhance crisis response services through co-response integration and support. And in the Local Government Committee, a possible executive session is scheduled on HB 1254. Prime sponsored by Rep. Davina Duerr (D-Bothell), the bill incorporates the International Wildland Urban Interface Code with the State Building Code.