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Thursday, April 27

In rebuke to fall of Roe, Gov. Inslee signs WA abortion legislation
Gov. Jay Inslee signed a suite of five bills Thursday to shore up access to abortion in Washington, a ceremonial flourish demonstrating how blue states are reacting as the demise of Roe v. Wade approaches its anniversary. “We are here to proclaim very vocally and very forcefully that we will not allow any state or any Trump-appointed judge to jeopardize a woman’s right of choice in the state of Washington,” Inslee said Thursday, flanked by lawmakers and advocates on the roof of the Hans Rosling Center for Population Health at the University of Washington. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Ken Lambert)

With assault weapons ban, Washington enters a new era of gun reform
Ten years ago, control of Washington’s government was split between the two major political parties; the National Rifle Association was one of the most powerful lobbying organizations in America; and even some Democratic state lawmakers wouldn’t support stricter firearms legislation. Contrast these events with Tuesday’s bill-signing ceremony in the state reception room at the Capitol building and you’ll see just how much the conversation around guns has changed in Washington. Flanked by dozens of advocates and Democratic elected officials in a Capitol closed due to security cautions, Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law shortly before noon a trio of ambitious firearms restrictions. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Amanda Snyder)

Wash. adopts ‘most significant privacy legislation’ this decade
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) will sign a bill Thursday that aims to protect the data privacy of people seeking reproductive and gender-affirming care but has the potential to do much more. Privacy attorneys say the language, definitions and scope of the “Washington My Health My Data Act” are uniquely broad, making it, in the words of one lawyer, “a transformative privacy law for the United states.” The Washington measure, introduced in response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, has drawn the most attention. Continue reading at Pluribus News.

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Axios
Air pollution in the Seattle area has gone up

Columbian
PeaceHealth cuts 51 jobs in Southwest Washington
Vancouver distinguishes between warehouses, industrial buildings in face of moratorium
Sen. Annette Cleveland secures $515K to help Columbia Play Project kick-start children’s museum in Clark County (Cleveland)

The Daily News
Nearly 300 pounds of pharma drugs ‘taken back’ in Cowlitz County

The Inlander
Washington lawmakers passed a flurry of bills this session to reform housing regulations, and increase supply for renters and homebuyers (Billig, Riccelli)
Since 2014, 1,500 pedestrians and 750 people on bicycles have been struck by cars in Spokane County, and 78 of them were killed — can we stop the carnage?

News Tribune
Nurses picket outside Good Sam Hospital in Puyallup. ‘We are already spread so thin’
How bad is youth gun violence in Tacoma? Advocacy group hosts talk with local politicians
Opinion: Fort Steilacoom’s history should be told — in full. It won’t happen under DSHS’s care
Opinion: The Port of Tacoma is getting a raw deal in NW Seaport Alliance. That can’t continue

Olympian
Scammers imitating Washington State Patrol phone numbers to get personal information
E. Washington group sues state to stop new assault weapon sales ban

Puget Sound Business Journal
Seattle workers need to earn $213K to feel like a six-figure earner
Economic impact of Washington’s life science sector hit $35B in 2021

Seattle Medium
Seattle/King County Clinic Offers Free Dental, Medical, And Vision Care Services This Weekend

Seattle Times
How WA lawmakers tried this year to ease hospitals’ financial woes
In rebuke to fall of Roe, Gov. Inslee signs WA abortion legislation
WA budgets $2B to cut greenhouse gas emissions; here’s where money will go (Nguyen)
Agency gets $6M from state to take over failed hotel shelter program (Macri)
King County Councilmember Dunn proposes criminalizing public drug use
Students, family hold vigil for Ingraham High student shot in November
Seattle social housing developer receives state funding for start up (Nguyen, Chopp, Saldaña, Macri)

Spokesman Review
Spokane Farmers’ Market moves to Browne’s Addition as conservation district secures funding for permanent market

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Capital budget: Walla Walla Public Library gets $2 million for renovation, expansion

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Gov. Jay Inslee signs group of bills on abortion and reproductive health access
Bacterial outbreak infects 31 patients at Virginia Mason Medical Center
State Patrol expert determines trooper at fault in injury crash, but WSP cited the other driver
A Washington photographer’s quest to document every federally recognized tribe in the US
Fish from Washington’s coastal commercial troll Chinook fishery are a more sustainable way to eat salmon

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Seattle considering its own drug possession ordinance
Sen. Cantwell introduces bill banning hidden fees for concert, sporting event tickets
Cities search for solutions to drug possession issue after lawmakers fail to pass legislation

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
New unit to investigate, prosecute organized retail crime across Washington state

KNKX Public Radio
Washington governor signs new gun bills into law, including ‘assault weapons’ ban (Peterson)

KUOW Public Radio
NRA joins legal fight challenging Washington’s assault weapons ban

KXLY (ABC)
Spokane gun shop, local Olympian file lawsuit challenging Washington’s new gun law
The U.S. Supreme Court is losing the trust of WA voters, poll says

NW Public Radio
‘Don’t wait’: Hospital staff, first responders practice active shooter response

Q13 TV (FOX)
Everett proposes new camping ban law
Washington legislature adjourn without reaching a solution on drug possession bill (Robinson)
Gov. Inslee to sign bills on reproductive health, gender-affirming care (Slatter, Hansen,Riccelli, Cleveland, Keiser)

Web

Crosscut
With assault weapons ban, Washington enters a new era of gun reform (Peterson, Berry, Pedersen)

MyNorthwest
Free health care clinic to aid Washingtonians who can’t afford healthcare
Union accuses Starbucks of unfair labor practices…again
King County reaches e-cigarette settlement against Juul

Pluribus News
Wash. adopts ‘most significant privacy legislation’ this decade (Slatter)

Wednesday, April 26

Opinion: Anger over WA assault weapon ban isn’t just about gun rights — it’s about selfishness
After years of failed attempts and squandered opportunities, the state did something it should have done long ago: banning the sale, manufacture, transfer and importation of more than 50 assault-style weapons, the kind of guns capable of quickly turning a violent crime into a mass murder. Governor Jay Inslee, flanked by a team of beaming liberal lawmakers and supporters, signed the historic bill into law, making Washington the 10th state to implement such a ban, effectively immediately. Continue reading at News Tribune. (Lindsey Wasson)

How the implosion of WA’s drug possession law could spell disaster for addiction support services
The Washington Legislature adjourned Sunday without passing House Bill 5536. The bill would have replaced the state’s sunsetting drug possession law, making possession a gross misdemeanor. Now the legal status of drug possession is in limbo – along with $270 million worth of services that the bill would have put into place for people with addictions.Continue reading at KUOW. (U.S. Attorneys Office for Utah via AP)

Washington’s 68th Legislative Session is officially over. Here’s a recap of what ended up passing – or not
A lightsaber, beads, a gong, at least two wigs, custom T-shirts and a cowbell were among the unusual objects Washington Legislators brought to the floor to ring in the last day of the session on Sunday. Just after 10 p.m., House of Representatives Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, and President of the Senate Denny Heck struck their gavels in the same moment to signify Sine Die, the conclusion of the 68th Legislative session marked by policy on healthcare, public safety and housing. This session was the Legislature’s first return in person since COVID-19 restrictions required remote participation for the previous two sessions. Continue reading at Spokesman Review. (Elena Perry)

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Associated Press
Gov. Inslee signs three gun bills into law
Microsoft Activision merger blocked over competition fears
Washington State Officially Abolishes Death Penalty
New Washington gun law already faces federal court challenges (Peterson, Berry)
Washington becomes 10th state to enact semi-automatic rifle ban, law effective immediately (Peterson, Berry)

Aberdeen Daily World
Initial vote returns lean against creation of new RFA

Axios
Murray and Schrier seek to protect abortion doctors in blue states

Bellingham Herald
Bellingham officials disclose results of citywide rental inspections
Teacher reductions, larger classes likely at Bellingham Schools due to $16M budget cut
WA becomes 10th state in the U.S. to ban assault weapons after Inslee signs bill into law (Peterson, Berry, Pederson)

Capital Press
Washington lawmakers budget cap-and-trade funds
Washington lawmakers adjourn, in some cases without action (Chapman, Keiser)

Columbian
Clark County sheriff, prosecutor named in suit over Washington gun law
Vancouver adopts relaxed environmental standards to speed housing construction
Opinion: Legislators must compromise to pass drug law

The Daily News
With funding on the horizon, Longview schools look to improve special education services

Everett Herald
Edmonds mayor delivers stern warning after spate of violence
Snohomish County receives an F on air quality report card
Comment: Increasing flood of guns isn’t making anyone feel safe

Indian Country Today
Deb Haaland visits Tulalip to hear from boarding school survivors

News Tribune
Tacoma’s new safe parking site has served only 2 people — but one is already housed
Editorial: Anger over WA assault weapon ban isn’t just about gun rights — it’s about selfishness

Olympian
Got COVID-19? Starting May 11, you can’t rely on WA state to notify people of exposure
Olympia, Tumwater voters defeat RFA plan by a wide margin. Here’s what happens now

Peninsula Daily News
Special legislative session in works (Tharinger, Van De Wege, Chapman)
New Washington gun law already faces federal court challenge
Closures, other DOT projects upcoming

Puget Sound Business Journal
Washington state to pull plug on Covid notification app

Seattle Medium
Two Seattle Public School Principals Awarded $25,000 For Advancing Educational Justice
Seattle Office of Inspector General Releases Recommendations For Improving SPD’s Response To Protests

Seattle Times
WA Democrats, you had one job (Jinkins, Mullet)
WA ferry reservation system hit with delays
Transparency advocates sue WA over ‘legislative privilege’ exemption (Jinkins)
School closures, cuts to clubs and music possible as WA schools face ‘cliff’
WA bans sale of AR-15s and other semi-automatic rifles, effective immediately (Peterson, Pedersen, Hackney, Berry)

The Skanner
Semi-Automatic Rifle Ban Passes Washington State Legislature

Spokesman Review
Inslee signs Washington’s ban on new assault weapons
Murray’s 10,000th vote marks a new era for women in the Senate
Washington’s 68th Legislative Session is officially over. Here’s a recap of what ended up passing – or not (Jinkins, Heck, Nobles, Trudeau, Taylor)
Opinion: Accountability requires answers, not slogans

Tri-City Herald
‘Very little faith.’ Pasco wants a plan in case WA lawmakers can’t fix drug laws

Wenatchee World
New bill set to make changes in permit processing, Chelan County not worried

Yakima Herald-Republic
Ceremony welcomes Jared Boswell as new Yakima County Superior Court Judge
$5 million in state funding will help propel PNWU’s new dental school in Yakima
Report finds more WA kids enter preschool developmentally behind due to pandemic

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
King County cities Auburn, Maple Valley scramble to ban drug use
First lawsuit filed against Washington’s assault weapons ban, AG Ferguson confident ban will survive

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
What’s next for drug laws in Washington state? (Jinkins)
Why isn’t Washington State Ferries building new vessels?
Inslee signs 3 bills into law aimed at preventing gun violence in Washington state (Peterson, Berry)

KNKX Public Radio
Washington state Legislature adjourns without a new drug possession law on the books (Jinkins)

KUOW Public Radio
Gun rights groups sue to stop WA ban on semi-automatic rifle sales
Washington governor signs new gun bills into law, including “assault weapons” ban (Peterson)
How the implosion of WA’s drug possession law could spell disaster for addiction support services

KXLY (ABC)
WA lawmakers reject drug possession bill, cities to make own ordinances

Radio Pacific
Drug Possession And Use Will Be Legal In Washington Without Quick Action

Web

Cascadia Daily News
State funds $9M crisis center for Whatcom (Rule, Shewmake)
Bellingham Public Schools to reduce 80 certificated staff

MyNorthwest
5-1-1 traveler alert number will soon be a thing of the past

West Seattle Blog
LEGISLATURE: West Seattle’s State House reps split on drug-law vote (Fitzgibbon, Alvarado, Nguyen)

Tuesday, April 25

WA bans sale of AR-15s and other semiautomatic rifles, effective immediately
Washington has become the 10th state to prohibit sales of AR-15s and dozens of other semiautomatic rifles, as Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday signed the ban into law, effective immediately. Inslee also was set to sign two other major gun bills Tuesday. One will require proof of safety training and a 10-day waiting period for all gun purchases.The other will allow the state attorney general or private citizens to sue gun manufacturers and dealers under public nuisance laws if they negligently allow their guns to be sold to minors or straw purchasers. All three of the gun bills passed the Legislature on largely party line votes, with Republicans opposing them and most Democrats voting in support. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Elaine Thompson)

2023 session was ‘the year of housing’ for Washington Legislature
Lawmakers and advocates coined the Washington Legislature’s 2023 session “the year of housing.” Sunday marked the deadline to pass the last of an extensive batch of affordable housing, homelessness and rent protection bills. And while rental hike protections died in the final hours of the session, lawmakers approved millions to fund affordable developments while providing additional assistance for youth experiencing homelessness and more middle housing options. Continue reading at Columbian. (Amanda Cowan)

7 things state lawmakers did this session — and 1 they didn’t
State lawmakers figured to close out their 2023 session Sunday night by voting to reset Washington’s approach on illegal drug possession. But that didn’t happen. Instead, a compromise Blake bill sunk under the weight of bipartisan opposition, delivering a chaotic ending to a 105-day session in which protecting individuals’ lives, liberties and pursuits got invoked in many of the year’s legislative debates. This was the first in-person session in three years. Legislators wasted few moments, passing hundreds of bills for Gov. Jay Inslee to consider signing. Here are seven things they did — and the one big one they didn’t that could bring them back to Olympia for an emergency special session. Continue reading at Everett Herald.

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Associated Press
Washington lawmakers pass two-year budget, end session

Aberdeen Daily World
State’s final capital budget includes $421M for local districts (Tharinger)

Axios
New Washington law makes medically assisted death easier to access

Capital Press
Pollution lawsuit could curb use of aerial fire retardant

Columbian
2023 session was ‘the year of housing’ for Washington Legislature (Bateman, Gregerson, Taylor)
Clark County legislators see bills, resolutions pass (Stonier, Wylie, Cleveland)
Washington Legislature increases support for free school meals (Riccelli)
Opinion: In Our View: Assault rifle ban step in right direction

The Daily News
What does recent court action mean for abortion pill access in Washington?

Everett Herald
Cities, county look to step in after state balks on Blake bill
7 things state lawmakers did this session — and 1 they didn’t (Berg)
Cabinet secretary visits Tulalip to listen to boarding school survivors
Oh what a final night as Blake fix fails and a GOP leader exits (Berg)
Comment: Carbon offset market is growing, but is it helping?
Editorial: Drug bill’s failure leaves law to cities, counties (Robinson, Dhingra)

Olympian
State to keep Legislative Building closed Tuesday until after Inslee signs weapons bills
Port of Olympia commission votes 2-1 to formally support state’s plan for Capitol Lake

Peninsula Daily News
Drug possession laws in limbo after House rejects Blake bill (Chapman, Tharinger, Robinson, Dhingra, Taylor)

Puget Sound Business Journal
Survey: 90% of WA health care leaders expect staffing concerns to stay
New Washington state program aims to curb carbon emissions

Seattle Times
WA bans sale of AR-15s and other semiautomatic rifles, effective immediately
King County special election: Vote on crisis care levy today
Tribe to fish for salmon on Elwha River a decade after dams fell
Inside the stunning fall of WA’s drug-possession legislation — and what comes next (Jinkins, Simmons, Berry, Pedersen)
Editorial: Call special session of WA Legislature to fix drug possession mess (Jinkins)

Skagit Valley Herald
Funding for Skagit County mental health, addiction treatment facility included in state budget

Sol De Yakima
Nueva unidad de casos sin resolver de WA se centrará en indígenas desaparecidos, asesinados (Lekanoff, Dhingra)

Spokesman Review
Washington legislators didn’t pass new drug possession laws in time. What happens now?
Getting There: Spokane’s City Line will be free for more than eight weeks after July 15 launch
Wilcox leaves post of top House Republican in Washington
With no solution to Washington’s drug possession law reached, local governments look to ward off ‘chaos’ with their own rules (Billig, Jinkins)

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Blue Mountain Action Council food pantry shifts away from federal COVID funds

Wenatchee World
State legislators finalize $85 million budget schedule for Confluence Parkway project

Yakima Herald-Republic
May 5 events planned around the region for missing and murdered Indigenous people
Vantage Bridge repairs will detour some I-90 traffic through Yakima starting in 2024

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Edmonds district says it’s facing $15 million budget deficit, proposing budget cuts
Road built to replace Alaskan Way Viaduct opening within 2 weeks

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Washington lawmakers pass two-year budget, end session (Pedersen, Pollet)

KUOW Public Radio
Expanded WA free-meal program headed to a school near you
Here’s what Washington lawmakers say is behind drug possession bill’s last-minute failure (Jinkins)

Q13 TV (FOX)
Washington state’s COVID-19 exposure notification app will end May 11
Legislative session ends as WA lawmakers pass two-year, $69 billion budget (Pollet, Pedersen)

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Secretary of State sits down with local college students
Whatcom tribes receive major grants for environmental restoration

Crosscut
WA legislature fails to pass new drug law; special session likely (Jinkins, Robinson)

MyNorthwest
Safety still a concern for Ingraham High School students, parents
New leader for WA State House Republicans selected Monday
Washington State Ferry summer reservations go on sale Tuesday
$60 million in environmental awards headed to WA state
11 Washington counties receive ‘F’ grades for air quality
Kent Mayor wants to keep tougher drug use laws, with legislation stalling

La Raza del Noroeste
El escritorio del gobernador es la próxima parada de legislación de Fey para ayudar a estudiantes sin hogar (Fey)

Monday, April 24

WA session ends: Lawmakers acted on guns, housing, abortion … but not drugs
Rattled by national events and responding to crises closer to home, Washington’s majority Democrats muscled through major legislation during the session that came to a close Sunday. After years of attempts, they passed a ban on sales of AR-15s and dozens of other models of weapons, responding to the unending series of mass shootings throughout the country. They stiffened protections for abortion rights and stockpiled thousands of doses of abortion medication after the Supreme Court knocked down Roe v. Wade. They passed sweeping legislation allowing for duplexes and fourplexes throughout most of the state, and poured hundreds of millions of dollars into programs to combat the crisis in housing affordability and homelessness. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Karen Ducey)

WA Legislature sends $13.4 billion transportation budget to governor for signature
Washington state lawmakers on Saturday passed a $13.4 billion transportation budget for the 2023-25 biennium, with major investments in the ferry system, transportation workforce, traffic safety and keeping projects on track that are already in the works. This is the first year the state can use funding from the federal Climate Commitment Act that passed in 2021. Nearly $1 billion of that will be used for projects such as electrifying a broad range of transportation equipment as well as investments in public transit and pedestrian infrastructure. On Saturday, the Senate passed the bill with a 46-3 vote while the House voted unanimously on final passage of the budget. Continue reading at Olympian. (Peter Haley)

In honor of Earth Day, here’s a look at five environmental bills in Washington that could literally change the world
For more than 50 years, earthlings have marked their calendars for April 22 as Earth Day, set aside for raising awareness for the health of the planet. Groups in more than 190 countries participate in environmentalist efforts in observance of the holiday. In honor of Earth Day, here’s a look at how the Legislature is looking to protect marine wildlife, evaluate composting and enhance the wellbeing of the blue-and-green orb we call home. Continue reading at Spokesman Review. (Marina Lohrbach)

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Associated Press
‘Too much to learn’: Schools race to catch up kids’ reading
GOP states targeting diversity, equity efforts in higher education

Aberdeen Daily World
Turbines and brine: Washington offshore wind proposals present complex threats, challenges

Axios
5 big things Washington’s Legislature did this year

Everett Herald
Snohomish Health District retirees to regain access to health benefits
After Bolt Creek, Western WA gears up for another fire season — in April
Chair jokes, death penalty divide and the arrival of budgets (Rolfes, Peterson)
House OKs capital budget with funds for dozens of county projects (Cortes)
Drug possession laws in limbo after House rejects deal on Blake bill (Robinson, Dhingra, Taylor)
Comment: Parents must call for reforms to K-12 education
Comment: Why state is working to save its kelp, seagrass forests
Editorial: Make the most of Earth Day with meaningful action
Letter: Expanded Child Tax Credit cut poverty in half; restore it

News Tribune
Tacoma Public Schools to slash 22 jobs during next school year. Are more cuts coming?

Olympian
WA Legislature sends $13.4 billion transportation budget to governor for signature (Fey)
Hundreds gather at the Capitol in support of, and in opposition to, transgender rights bill (Liias)
Special session could be called after lawmakers fail to replace expiring drug possession law (Robinson, Billig)

Peninsula Daily News
Assault weapons sale ban approved
Van De Wege lone Democratic senator to oppose gun ban (Van De Wege, Shavers, Rule, Tharinger, Chapman)

Puget Sound Business Journal
Seattle flips the switch on power grid modernization
Covid-19’s debt trap: Relief programs could lead to big headaches

Seattle Times
Interior secretary visits Tulalip in wake of boarding school revelations
Legislature strengthens oversight of private special ed schools (Santos)
The Cold War between WA and neighbor Idaho gets hotter
WA’s new ban on single-family zoning exempts some of Seattle’s wealthiest neighborhoods (Bateman)
WA House rejects drug possession compromise as session ends (Alvarado, Street, Stonier, Jinkins)
WA session ends: Lawmakers acted on guns, housing, abortion … but not drugs (Pederson, Pollet, Jinkins, Street)

Spokesman Review
Washington Senate confirms all Fish and Wildlife commissioners (Van De Wege)
Despite reforms, 2022 was one of the deadliest years for police shootings in Spokane County
The 9 people in Spokane County shot at by police in 2022
Insee says he’ll call back legislators to pass drug possession law (Billig, Stonier, Springer)
Lawmakers still searching for compromise on Washington’s drug possession law as session nears end (Billig)
In honor of Earth Day, here’s a look at five environmental bills in Washington that could literally change the world (Mena, Billig)
Washington Legislature passes $70 billion operations budget before adjourning Sunday (Rolfes, Riccelli)
Rep Doglio & Rep. Dye: Bipartisan environmental accomplishments worth celebrating this Earth Day

Yakima Herald-Republic
Funding for MLK Jr. Pool in east Yakima, PNWU dental school in state capital budget
Editorial: Newspaper tax cut will benefit local communities

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
In Session: Washington state legislative session ends Sunday
Supreme Court preserves access to abortion pill for now
Bill in Olympia that would raise real estate tax dead, sponsor says (Berg)
28 mayors sign letter detailing concerns about Washington drug laws to state legislators
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland hears from local survivors of Indian boarding school system
Drug possession bill voted down last-minute, possibly shifting enforcement (Simmons, Street, Stonier)

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Bill to protect youth seeking gender-affirming, reproductive care heads to Inslee’s desk (Liias)
Legislative Roundup: Lawmakers pass operating budget on final day of session (Stonier)
Shellfish harvest restricted in select areas in Washington due to high bacteria levels

KNKX Public Radio
Poll: Two-thirds oppose banning medication abortion
Washington establishes cold case unit to investigate missing and murdered Indigenous people (Lekanoff)

KUOW Public Radio
‘Social equity’ cannabis licenses aim to repair drug law harms to BIPOC communities
Week in Review: downtown, ferries, and gun control
Seattle’s plan to reward people for not using drugs
Bringing ancestors home — the long process of recovering tribal remains
Will Washington’s new assault weapons ban hold up in court? Gov. Inslee thinks ‘it should survive’

KXLY (ABC)
WA legislature passes capital budget: how it would affect the Spokane area

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Tenants Revolt hopes to propose local housing legislation
Buses every 5 minutes in Bellingham?

The Stranger
Olympia Shatters Plan to Reboot Its War on Drugs (Goodman, Jinkins, Alvarado, Bateman, Berry, Chopp, Doglio, Farivar, Gregerson, Macri, Mena, Morgan, Reed, Reeves, Santos, Simmons, Street)

Friday, April 21

Washington state bans sale of most semi-automatic rifles
The Washington Legislature has passed a law to ban the sale, importation and distribution of assault-style rifles, sending one of the highest-profile firearms-regulation bills to the desk of Gov. Jay Inslee for his signature. Inslee, a three-term Democrat and former congressman who supported the federal assault weapons ban, requested House Bill 1240, along with Attorney General Bob Ferguson, and is expected to sign it. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Strom Peterson, D-Edmonds, bars the distribution, manufacture, importation or sale of AR-style semi-automatic rifles, as well as some other kinds of semi-automatic weapons. “We do not have to continue to tolerate these weapons of war in our community,” Peterson said in a statement last month when the bill first passed the House. “This is not a ban on possession, nor is it a ban on personal protection. This policy acknowledges the data and reduces the risk of harm our communities face with a policy we know will be effective in saving lives.” Continue reading at Crosscut. (Ted S. Warren)

New law gives nurses stronger voice in setting hospital staffing levels
Nurses secured a greater role in deciding minimum staffing levels in hospitals across the state under a law signed Thursday by Gov. Jay Inslee. The legislation requires hospital administrators and nurses to agree on the number of staff assigned in each patient care unit, and how workers will be assured of receiving proper rest and meal breaks. Senate Bill 5236, sponsored by Sen. June Robinson, D-Everett, represents a compromise between nurses and hospital leaders. The two sides battled to a draw in the 2022 session. “I’m just thrilled that we got it to the finish line,” Robinson said. “It will make conditions better for nurses and patients.” Continue reading at Everett Herald. (Kevin Clark)

Washington establishes cold case unit to investigate missing and murdered Indigenous peoples cases
On April 20, Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law Substitute House Bill 1177 that establishes a cold case unit specifically for missing and murdered Indigenous women and people (MMIWP) in the state. “This legislation will ensure that Indigenous victims of crime receive robust, thorough investigations and potential prosecution,” Inslee said. Rep. Debra Lekanoff, (D-40th District) was the primary sponsor of the bill, which passed unanimously in the house and senate during the legislative session. Lekanoff is a co-chair on the state’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Task Force, which recommended the legislation in 2022. “We have witnessed women who look like me, aunties, girls who look like me, grandmothers, go missing one after another with unresolved cases, unresolved attention from governing bodies,” Lekanoff said. Now, Lekanoff said, Washington state is leading the nation and making missing and murdered Indigenous people a priority for the state. Continue reading at Northwest Public Broadcasting. (Johanna Bejarano)