Monday
The third week of session begins with committees continuing to hold hearings and move bills out in anticipation of next week’s policy cutoff deadline.
In the Community Safety Committee, a public hearing is scheduled on HB 2532, banning the sale and distribution of nitrous oxide (except for specific medical, culinary, manufacturing, and automotive exemptions), prime sponsored by Rep. Joe Timmons (D-Bellingham). Housing Committee members have a public hearing on HB 1542, from Rep. Kristine Reeves (D-Federal Way), which would establish certain minimum rights for residents of senior independent living facilities.
Later in the afternoon, Appropriations has a public hearing on several AI related bills, including HB 1170 (prime sponsored by Rep. Clyde Shavers, D-Oak Harbor) requiring users are informed when content is developed or modified by AI. HB 1834, from Rep. Lisa Callan (D-Issaquah), protecting Washington children online, is also scheduled for a public hearing.
Tuesday
Tuesday morning begins with the Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee hearing testimony on HB 2445, prime sponsored by Rep. Adison Richards (D-Gig Harbor), ending probates for profit. The Local Government Committee will hear public testimony on a bill to address affordability and access to food, HB 2313, legislation from Rep. Darya Farivar (D-Seattle) to authorize cities to establish publicly owned grocery stores. In the Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Committee, Chair Cindy Ryu (D-Shoreline) has an executive session scheduled on her bill to regulate high-risk AI system development, deployment, and use (HB 2157).
The afternoon committees include executive session in the Consumer Protection & Business Committee on HB 1078, prime sponsored by Rep. Amy Walen (D-Kirkland), which prohibits insurers from canceling or refusing to renew pet insurance based on a pet’s age or the detection or development of a health condition. Also scheduled for a vote is HB 2294, from Rep. Farivar which improves access to grocery stores and pharmacies by prohibiting “negative use restrictions.” Rep. Dave Paul’s (D-Oak Harbor) HB 2324, concerning tuition waivers for children of eligible veterans, is scheduled for possible vote in the Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee.
In State Government & Tribal Relations, the public have the opportunity to testify on HJR 4210, prime sponsored by Rep. Brianna Thomas (D-Seattle), a constitutional amendment that allows the legislature to determine the duration of regular sessions. The Education Committee has a hearing scheduled for HB 2594, prime sponsored by Rep. Reeves, that ensures that unhoused children and youths in Washington have equal access to free, appropriate public education. Finally, the Housing Committee has a vote scheduled for HB 2266, authored by Rep. Strom Peterson (D-Edmonds), which will require communities to ensure housing is built for our most vulnerable community members.
WEDNESDAY
Wednesday morning begins with a hearing in Civil Rights & Judiciary on HB 2597, prime sponsored by Rep. My-Linh Thai (D-Bellevue), concerning remedies for violations of federal constitutional rights occurring during immigration enforcement. In the Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Committee, executive session is scheduled on Rep. Mary Fosse’s (D-Everett) HB 2481, which would prohibit surveillance-based price discrimination and surge pricing for retail goods. Also scheduled for a possible vote is Rep. Shavers’ HB 2503, regulating artificial intelligence training data.
In the afternoon, the Early Learning & Human Services Committee has a public hearing scheduled on HB 2455, prime sponsored by Rep. Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way), creating a housing assistance pilot program for youth enrolled in extended foster care. The Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee will hear from the public on HB 2427 establishing the Ink of Hope Act, sponsored by Rep. Alicia Rule (D-Blaine).
Later in the day, the Appropriations Committee has executive session scheduled on HB 1607 from Rep. Monica Stonier (D-Vancouver), concerning recycling and waste reduction and HB 1622, prime sponsored by Rep. Lisa Parshley (D-Olympia), allowing bargaining over matters related to the use of artificial intelligence.
THURSDAY
The Community Safety Committee is holding public hearings on two bills addressing ICE in Washington state: HB 2641, prime sponsored by Rep. Tarra Simmons (D-Bremerton), prohibits certain law enforcement agencies from hiring certain federal employees and HB 2648, from Rep. Fosse, would set new requirements for Washington peace officers to record and document interactions with federal ICE agents.
The Housing Committee has executive session scheduled on two bills, HB 1542 from Rep. Reeves concerning senior independent housing and HB 2265 from Rep. Sharlett Mena (D-Tacoma), protecting tenants from periods of extreme heat.
In the afternoon, the Capital Budget is holding a public hearing on HB 2470 which provides school construction assistance program facilities support for on-base schools, prime sponsored by Rep. Mari Leavitt (D-University Place). In the Finance Committee, an executive session is scheduled for Rep. April Berg’s (D-Mill Creek) HB 2442 which addresses flexibility for local government tax resources.
FRIDAY
As the week concludes, the State Government & Tribal Relations Committee is holding a public hearing on HB 2447, legislation sponsored by Rep. Reeves to designate the bluntnose sixgill shark as Washington’s state shark. In the Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee, members will vote on HB 2275 concerning wildfire prevention and creating the Washington wildfire prevention and protection council (prime sponsored by Rep. Reeves).
The Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on Rep. Farivar’s HB 2161 concerning the general powers and duties of the attorney general’s office and Rep. Richards’ HB 2445 ending probates for profit. In the Local Government Committee, Rep. Farivar’s HB 2313 concerning publicly owned grocery stores is scheduled for a vote.
In the Finance Committee, members will hear from the public on HB 2038, prime sponsored by Rep. Callan, establishing the youth behavioral health account funded by a B&O surcharge on social media platforms. HB 2297 from Rep. Farivar is also scheduled for a public hearing. The bill incentivizes grocery stores located in underserved communities. Finally, the committee will also hear HB 2382 concerning excise taxes on cigarettes, vapor products, and tobacco products (sponsored by Rep. Parshley).