Bipartisan Work Group
While I might not always agree with my colleagues across the aisle, it is important to remember that we were all sent to Olympia by our constituents with the goal of making Washington a better place. With that in mind, Representative Skyler Rude (R- Walla Walla) and I have co-founded the Bipartisan Work Group. The goal of the work group is to help establish relationships across the aisle and work together to find common ground. There is so much that can be done that is not acrimonious or partisan, but it can often get lost in the mix. This work group aims to help bridge that divide and make our Legislature more collaborative.
In that vein, our first meeting featured a lecture by University of Washington professor Dr. David E. Smith entitled Civil Conversations in an Angry Age. Dr. Smith broke down the structure of how we converse as well as the root causes of both civility and incivility. He also shared tools for having more fruitful discussions. I am excited to continue to work with Rep. Rude to increase civility and build bi-partisan consensus.
Summary of 2020 Bills
The bills I am sponsoring this year have a range of goals and inspirations. Some seek to fundamentally reset the balance of power between corporations and consumers and other seek to solve small problems. Some were born out of a need to examine our values and priorities and others were requested by constituents and stakeholders. I believe each bill will make our state a better place. Here is a short description and update of the bills I am working on this year.
HB 1999- Clean car standards and program
Summary: Brings Washington fully into alignment with California’s clean emission standards by implementing zero emission vehicle program regulations.
Status: Referred to the Environment & Energy Committee. Companion bill, SB 5811 is making progress in the Senate and will most likely be the vehicle for this policy.
HB 2281- Amending the types of non-profits qualified to engage in gambling
Summary: At the request of the Gambling Commission, this bill allows religious and scientific organizations to host certain gambling activities such as bingo nights and raffles.
Status: Passed out of the Commerce & Gaming Committee with a unanimous vote on 1/21. Referred to the Rules Committee.
HB 2294- Protecting health care providers
Summary: Mandates that an assault on a licensed massage therapist when they are at work will be charged as a felony assault.
Status: Heard in the Public Safety Committee on 1/27.
HB 2485- Regulating direct to consumer genetic testing companies
Summary: Establishes consumer rights for direct to consumer genetic testing companies. Prohibits sharing a customer’s genetic information with health or life insurance companies or employers; requires express consent from the consumer to share genetic information with other companies or researchers; and requires law enforcement to obtain a warrant to access genetic information.
Status: Heard in the Innovation, Technology & Economic Development Committee on 1/24.
HB 2612- Modifying the regulated marijuana system
Summary: Creates more legal protections for medical marijuana patients.
Status: Referred to the Health Care & Wellness Committee.
HB 2676- Establishing requirements for autonomous vehicle testing
Summary: Sets standards for companies to test autonomous vehicles including the requirement that they hold liability insurance.
Status: Referred to the Transportation Committee.
HB 2739- Updating the shared leave program
Summary: Updates the shared leave program to allow more flexibility for employees using the program. This bill was requested by a constituent who has a child with a chronic illness.
Status: Passed out of the State Government & Tribal Relations Committee on with a unanimous vote on 1/31.
HB 2740- Employment rights of individuals who lawfully consume marijuana
Summary: Bans the use of pre-employment cannabis testing while maintaining companies’ ability to have drug free workplace policies. Exemptions for specific industries such as law enforcement, operators of heavy machinery, and some health care workers will be included.
Status: Heard in the Labor & Workplace Standards Committee on 1/28.
HB 2742- Consumer data protection
Summary: Defines basic consumer rights for personal data collected by technology companies. Creates an enforcement mechanism for protecting those rights.
Status: Heard in the Innovation, Technology & Economic Development Committee on 1/22.
HB 2839- Regulating digital entertainment games
Summary: Requires that games with randomized rewards and virtual purchases to clearly state the odds of randomized rewards. Bans the sale of these games to purchasers under the age of 21.
Status: Referred to the Commerce & Gaming Committee.
HB 2844- Protecting students with seizure disorders
Summary: Requires schools to create individual health plans for students with seizure disorders.
Status: Referred to the Education Committee.
Podcast
Check out my episode of Capitol Ideas: The Washington State House Democratic Caucus Podcast. On this episode we discuss consumer data privacy.
Thank you
Thank you all for taking to the time to read this week’s newsletter and for taking an interest in our progress in the House of Representatives. If you have any questions, inquiries, or concerns please feel free to contact me with the info below.
Sincerely,
Shelley Kloba
Representative, 1st Legislative District
Washington State Legislature