Monday
Week 2 in the House kicks off with a hearing in the Community Safety Committee on HB 2464 from Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self (D-Mukilteo), legislation that requires private detention facilities to report to the Department of Health and local law enforcement when there are incidents of death, suicide, injuries resulting in an inpatient hospital stay, allegations of abuse or neglect, and disruption of services due to emergencies or disasters. In the Environment & Energy Committee, there is a public hearing scheduled on HB 2421, prime sponsored by Rep. Zach Hall (D-Issaquah), that would restrict the sale of tires containing 6PPD beginning in 2035. Studies show that when 6PPD breaks down, Coho Salmon can be exposed to particles that lead to death.
Also in the afternoon, the Housing Committee will hear public testimony on HB 1974, establishing land banking authorities, prime sponsored by Rep. Natasha Hill (D-Spokane). A new effort to prevent landlords from prohibiting installation of portable cooling devices, like air conditioners and evaporative coolers, also has a public hearing (HB 2265 sponsored by Rep. Sharlett Mena, D-Tacoma).
Tuesday
Tuesday morning, the Finance Committee will hear Rep. April Berg’s (D-Mill Creek) HB 2442 to provide local governments tax resources and fund flexibility. Later in the morning, the Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee has scheduled a public hearing on HB 2279 and HB 2463. HB 2279 from Rep. Lisa Parshley (D-Olympia) evaluates the use of PFAS chemicals in agriculture and HB 2463, prime sponsored by Rep. Kristine Reeves (D-Federal Way), supports Washington farmers feeding families.
The Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee has a public hearing scheduled on legislation to regulate automatic license plate reader cameras (HB 2332), also known as ‘Flock cameras,’ sponsored by Rep. Osman Salahuddin (D-Redmond). In Labor & Workplace Standards, legislators will hear public testimony on HB 2355 from Rep. Brianna Thomas (D-Seattle), establishing labor protections for domestic workers, such as nannies, child care workers, and gardeners.
Later in the afternoon, the Consumer Protection & Business Committee will hear Rep. Reeves’ HB 2439, legislation to prevent youth tobacco and vape use. In the Housing Committee, Rep. Strom Peterson (D-Edmonds) has a public hearing scheduled on HB 2266, which will require communities to ensure housing is built for our most vulnerable community members.
Wednesday
The morning includes a public hearing in Civil Rights & Judiciary on Rep. Salahuddin’s HB 2320 regulating firearm manufacturing, specifically 3D printing of firearm components. The public will also have the opportunity to testify on HB 2548 from Rep. Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way) to strengthen health care market standards. And in the Local Government Committee, Rep. Davina Duerr (D-Bothell) has a public hearing for HB 2267 to help protect local tree canopies.
In the Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Committee, HB 2481, prime sponsored by Rep. Mary Fosse (D-Everett), has a public hearing scheduled. The bill would prohibit surveillance-based price discrimination and surge pricing for retail goods. Also being heard is HB 2503 from Rep. Clyde Shavers (D-Oak Harbor) regulating artificial intelligence training data.
Later, in the afternoon, the Consumer Protection & Business Committee has executive session scheduled on HB 2294, prime sponsored by Rep. Darya Farivar (D-Seattle), to limit negative use restrictions that prohibit grocery stores or pharmacies. The State Government & Tribal Relations Committee will hold a public hearing on HJR 4209 to allow congressional redistricting between decennial censuses (prime sponsored by Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, D-West Seattle).
The day ends with a hearing in the Appropriations Committee on HB 2159, authored by Rep. Steve Bergquist (D-Renton), to create the PreK Promise Account for the early childhood education and assistance program (ECEAP).
Thursday
Thursday morning kicks off executive session in the Community Safety Committee on a variety of legislation, including HB 2173 from Rep. Julio Cortes (D-Everett), which would ban law enforcement from wearing facial coverings while interacting with the public in the performance of their duties. Also up for a vote is HB 2362 from Rep. Brandy Donaghy (D-Everett) to lower the legal blood alcohol limit to 0.05 and HB 2165 prime sponsored by Rep. Edwin Obras (D-Bothell) which establishes the gross misdemeanor offense of False Identification as a Peace Officer. Also holding executive session, the Education Committee will vote on HB 1795, legislation addressing restraint or isolation in public schools, from Rep. Lisa Callan (D-Issaquah).
Also in the morning, a public hearing is scheduled in Environment & Energy on HB 2515, prime sponsored by Rep. Beth Doglio (D-Olympia), to regulate emerging large energy use facilities such as data centers. At the same time, the Housing Committee will hold votes on HB 1974, establishing land banking authorities, from Rep Hill and HB 2269, prime sponsored by Rep. Adam Bernbaum (D-Port Angeles), to address middle housing in rural areas.
Later in the afternoon, the Finance Committee is holding a public hearing on HB 2334, legislation from Rep. Berg to adjust the price of cash transactions to eliminate the need for pennies.
Friday
As the week comes to an end, committees will hold more public hearings and executive sessions. The Consumer Protection & Business Committee will hold a work session on flood insurance. In Early Learning & Human Services, representatives will vote on HB 2099, prime sponsored by Rep. Mari Leavitt (D-University Place), expanding access to ECEAP for military families. And in Health Care & Wellness, Rep. Peterson’s bill to prohibit declawing cats except for therapeutic purposes (HB 1904) is scheduled for a vote.
In the State Government & Tribal Relations Committee, Rep. Berg’s bill to establish the Boys and Men Commission (HB 2401) is scheduled for a public hearing. Later, the committee will vote on HB 2205, prime sponsored by Rep. Mena, also known as the Sports Wagering Integrity Act.
Later in the morning, the Labor & Workplace Standards Committee has a vote scheduled on HB 2144 from Rep. Parshley requiring employers to notify employees when using AI or other electronic monitoring to assist in performance evaluations. The committee will also vote on HB 2303 from Rep. Thomas which would prohibit employers from microchipping employees. Also holding executive session, the Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Committee plans to vote on HB 2157, prime sponsored by Rep. Cindy Ryu (D-Shoreline), regulating high-risk artificial intelligence system development, deployment, and use, and HB 2225, prime sponsored by Rep. Callan, concerning regulation of artificial intelligence companion chatbots.
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