Click here for our Daily E-Clips policy.

Friday, March 8

Hogtying people soon to be outlawed in Washington; Spokane police already abandoned controversial practice
Hogtying people could soon be banned in Washington with a bill headed for the governor’s desk. This year’s legislation draws from the death of 33-year-old Manuel Ellis, who told Tacoma police he couldn’t breathe after they hogtied him face down on the sidewalk in 2020. The bill unanimously sailed through the Senate in early February before securing an 89-7 vote in the House on Feb. 28. Following amendments in the House, the Senate granted approval on Monday and sent the bill to the governor. Continue reading at The Spokesman Review. (Jesse Tinsley)

Big bills, tense debates, lawmaker departures: Takeaways from Washington state’s 2024 legislative session
Washington’s 60-day legislative session has ended. Spirits were high in Olympia Thursday as lawmakers adjourned “sine die.” Several new policies and millions of new dollars are going toward core issues like schools and behavioral health, including increases in special education funding and support for tribes leading the response to the state’s opioid crisis. Democrats also approved a slate of firearm legislation and a utility and natural gas bill that stirred up controversy in the final days. Continue reading at KUOW. (NW News Network)

WA Legislature revs up plan to electrify 10,000 school buses
Washington is poised to start transitioning its more than 10,000 school buses from diesel to electric, to cut the carbon pollution getting into kids’ lungs and our environment. “It is as much about healthy kids as it is for the environment. … I understand the anxiety about this big change, but we can’t wait any longer. Our children’s future depends on this,” said Rep Tana Senn, D-Mercer Island, who introduced House Bill 1368 to make this commitment to switch from diesel to electric school buses. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Amanda Snyder)

Print

Capital Press
Seattle solar company seeks to sidestep Eastern Washington county

Columbian
Daylight saving begins soon. When will it ever end?
Patients could face out-of-network costs if Legacy Health, Regence negotiations fail
New projects headed for Southwest Washington as lawmakers approve capital budget (Stonier)

Everett Herald
How did Snohomish County lawmakers’ bills fare in Olympia? (Cortes, Ortiz-Self, Liias)
After culvert bursts, 23 Tulalip Reservation residents stranded
Everett police seek $300K for controversial gunshot detection sensors
‘Outpouring of support’: Trooper’s memorial, motorcade set for Everett
Mining company appeals closure, says site near Everett school not ‘unsafe’
Letter: Thanks to lawmakers for passing octopus farming ban (Peterson)

News Tribune
WA lawmakers fall short on housing as 2024 legislative session adjourns (Heck, Jinkins, Billig, Hunt)
WA lawmakers OK supplemental capital budget. Here are some funded Tacoma-area projects

Peninsula Daily News
Nearly $5M in state proposal for Sequim CTE project (Tharinger, Wellman)

Puget Sound Business Journal
SBA’s Lender Match tool gets upgrade
Share of small-business owners with $100K-plus in debt rises

Seattle Times
Most WA courts aren’t requiring mandatory fees from convicted sex buyers (Orwall)
WA Legislature wraps up with bills on the cutting room floor, half of initiatives cleared (Jinkins, Fitzgibbon, Ormsby, Nguyen, Mullet)
Opinion: Our traffic safety culture is broken. Working together will fix it
Editorial: Seattle City Council sets boundaries on protests. It’s about time

Spokesman Review
Washington’s 2024 legislative session wrapped up Thursday. Here’s a look at how the day went (Billig, Ormsby)
Hogtying people soon to be outlawed in Washington; Spokane police already abandoned controversial practice (Mena, Trudeau)

Walla Walla Union-Bulletin
Traffic concerns chief for residents at briefing on Walla Walla tax increment area

Wenatchee World
Washington Court of Appeals upholds Confluence Health COVID-19 vaccine lawsuit dismissal

Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima Council removes two advisory committees from city government, changes 3 others

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Yes, Washington still observes Daylight Saving Time – here’s why
Democrats, Republicans say there’s reason to celebrate 2024 session (Jinkins)
PNW colleges see ‘explosive’ increase of students enrolling in environmental studies

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Downtown leaders rally for a transformative 2024 amid drug crisis challenges
Report highlights issues with delayed justice in King County’s sexual assault cases
How will Washington’s new Parents Bill of Rights impact your student’s privacy? (Santos)
Narcan could be available to counter fentanyl overdoses at every WA public school (Kuderer)

KUOW Public Radio
Here are the big takeaways from WA’s 2024 legislative session (Billig, Mullet, Van De Wege, Dhingra, Kuderer, Randall, Bateman, Riccelli)
King County Council members push back on criticism over handling of asylum-seeker crisis
As asylum-seekers flow into Washington, state lawmakers earmark $32.7 million for housing, immigration services

Web

Crosscut
WA Legislature revs up plan to electrify 10,000 school buses (Senn, Wellman, Nguyen)

Thursday, March 7

Washington lawmakers finalize spending plans for the year
Lawmakers are turning their attention in the final hours of the 2024 session to money. More specifically, exactly how they want to spend lots of additional dollars in the second half of the state’s two-year budgeting cycle. Agreements for the supplemental operating and transportation budgets are awaiting action before Sine Die on Thursday. Lawmakers approved the capital budget on Wednesday. Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Bill Lucia)

Legislation aims to increase access to lifesaving allergy medication in schools
Schools may see increased access to lifesaving allergy medication thanks to a bill that would allow them to stock epinephrine vials and autoinjectors. Schools are currently only allowed to stock epinephrine autoinjectors, more commonly known as EpiPens, for when a student has a severe allergic reaction. However, this year’s legislation would allow schools to house vials of the drug, which school nurses or other trained people could administer via syringe. Continue reading at Spokesman Review. (Melissa Lukenbaugh)

Lawmakers, county agencies drive toward more electric buses
lawmakers passed HB1368, a measure aimed at moving school districts toward all-electric buses. The bill strengthens a current grant program, directing funds to go first to districts where students face disproportionate amounts of poor air quality and have old diesel buses. The Climate Commitment Act helps to fund the grant program for electric school buses, covering the difference between the costs of diesel and electric buses until electricity is less. Continue reading at King 5.

Print

Aberdeen Daily World
Commissioners push ahead with homeless shelter funding
Final state capital budget showers Harbor, tribe in funding

Axios
Singles need 27 years to save for a Seattle starter home
What’s next for a new I-5 bridge over the Columbia River

Bainbridge Island Review
Police given more leeway to pursue suspects (Entenmann, Dhingra)

Capital Press
Washington ranch sues state over canceled grazing leases

Columbian
Vancouver group among those suing Washington over squirrel
Washington’s Insurance Commissioner urges companies to work with fire victims
Vancouver Farmers Market, Papa Murphy’s see impact after rollback in food stamps
Stepping stones to a home: Vancouver man finds affordable housing after living in his car

Everett Herald
Public memorial announced for state trooper killed on I-5
Editorial: Bills offer financial health for residents, state
Letter: Work of legislators, groups to protect animals appreciated (Peterson, Walen)

The Inlander
For more than a hundred years, bridges have united — and divided — Spokane
A refurbished bus brings opioid treatment to Deer Park, testing a model that could be used across the rural U.S.

International Examiner
Japanese Americans organize ‘Day of Remembrance, Week of Action’ to shut down Washington state’s ICE detention center, end deportation flights

News Tribune
Editorial: A famed provider says Tacoma’s camping ban is toxic. It’s returning money to prove it

Puget Sound Business Journal
A workforce crisis is brewing, but employees are getting the message

Seattle Times
Daylight saving begins soon. When will it ever end?
WA lawmaker questions validity of Seattle’s housing plan (Bateman)
Seattle police use of force nears all-time lows, but racial disparities still plague the numbers
Opinion: Don’t stigmatize users; address the real source of overburdened ERs

Spokesman Review
Spokane Valley to purchase land for affordable housing development
Spokane Public Schools bans Border Patrol agents from entering schools
Legislation aims to increase access to lifesaving allergy medication in schools (Bronoske)
PFAS well testing now underway. EPA is looking for another 150 homeowners to sign up
Washington lawmakers finalized the state’s 2024 supplemental capital budget. What’s in store for Spokane County?
Opinion: Welcoming immigrants is a win-win for Spokane

Washington Post
Amid explosive demand, America is running out of power
Earth posts warmest February and ninth straight record-setting month

WA State Standard
WA Legislature ramps up school construction spending (Mullet)
Washington lawmakers finalize spending plans for the year (Robinson, Fey)

Wenatchee World
Douglas County PUD residential customers could see $3 monthly rate increase in 2026
Cost of policing going up for Douglas County towns as commissioners consider new contracts

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Lawmakers, county agencies drive toward more electric buses (Senn)
WA lawmakers pass new law to combat catalytic converter thefts
Bill that raises minimum age to marry in Washington lands on governor’s desk (Stonier, Trudeau)
Mountlake Terrace Police Department distributing Narcan to community members

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Lawmakers pass legislation expanding places where you can’t carry a gun

KUOW Public Radio
Tukwila is swelling with asylum-seekers. What can be done?
Will Seattle’s new growth plan produce enough housing for newcomers?
Corner stores are the cornerstone of Seattle’s quest to become a 15-minute city
NTSB says Boeing is withholding key details about door plug on Alaska 737 Max 9 jet

KXLY (ABC)
Spokane community requests state of emergency for fentanyl overdoses

FOX13 TV
State lawmakers pass bill phasing out natural gas (Doglio, Orwall)

Web

Crosscut
A heap of housing bills failed in WA’s legislative session (Reed, Morgan, Alvarado, Peterson)

Wednesday, March 6

Dual language education is one step closer to becoming a WA law
Educators say that to sustain and expand dual language and tribal education, increased funding is needed. House Bill 1228, sponsored by Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self, D-Mukilteo, passed unanimously in both the House and Senate. It would create permanent funding to make these programs available to every school district by 2040. The Legislature plans to annually fund at least 10 new dual language education programs, with the average grant award of $40,000. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Aidé Villalobos)

WA lawmakers vote to prohibit firearms in more public areas
Washington lawmakers are expanding the list of places in the state where weapons, including firearms, will be prohibited under a new bill passed by the Legislature Monday. Senate Bill 5444, sponsored by Sen. Javier Valdez, D-Seattle, will prohibit individuals from possessing weapons at zoos, aquariums, libraries and transit stations in Washington. The prohibitions in the bill do not apply to those with a concealed pistol license. Continue reading at The News Tribune. (Tri-City Herald)

Local students, staff have better access to naloxone under new law
Last month, lawmakers in both the state House and Senate voted unanimously to pass Senate Bill 5804, requiring all public schools to stock naloxone, also known as Narcan. Another bill, House Bill 2112, would provide free Narcan to high school and college students to take home. The House bill was proposed as part of the state’s operating budget. The Senate Ways and Means Committee is set to decide on the budget this week. Continue reading at The Everett Herald. (Olivia Vanni)

Print

Aberdeen Daily World
Former Gateway Center property listed for surplus sale, then removed

Axios
How wildfires impact mental health

Bellingham Herald
WA Legislature passes 3 controversial initiatives as clock counts down for 2024 session (Robinson, Pederson, Kuderer)

Columbian
Interstate 5 Bridge program releases second set of renderings for replacement span
Meals on Wheels gets 2 grants for $1.7M for meals tailored to those just released from hospital
EPA proposes adding Columbia River from Grand Coulee Dam to Canada border to superfund list
Major Columbia River property owner frustrated that I-5 Bridge project has yet to get Coast Guard approval

Everett Herald
Secretary of State Steve Hobbs: ‘I wanted to serve my country’
Local students, staff have better access to naloxone under new law (Kuderer)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools (Ortiz-Self)

Kent Reporter
State Sen. Keiser announces retirement after 29 years in Legislature (Keiser, Billig)

News Tribune
WA lawmakers vote to prohibit firearms in more public areas (Valdez)
This city just committed $1 million to controversial Spanaway homeless village project
What’s up with Tacoma apartment building? Rents on rise as city mulls new housing options

Peninsula Daily News
Closures for fish passages shortened

Puget Sound Business Journal
The Washington capital gains tax is here to stay, for now

Seattle Times
Bill that would up oversight of WA hospital consolidations dies (Simmons)
Dual language education is one step closer to becoming a WA law (Ortiz-Self)
WA to train public defenders, prosecutors for rural, underserved areas (Dhingra)
WA won’t legalize cafes in residential neighborhoods, lawmakers decide
After march on King County Courthouse, help arrives for asylum-seekers
WA’s lackluster snowpack draws concerns, especially on the Olympic Peninsula
Opinion: Fencing will make our freeway overpasses safer
Editorial: Close gap between promise and reality of dual-credit courses

Spokesman Review
EPA proposes adding Upper Columbia River to superfund list
Keep on trucking: Spokane confronts issues in replacing its fire and police vehicles
Not just ‘a big city issue’: Stevens County raises community awareness of opioid overdoses

Tri-City Herald
WA lawmakers vote to prohibit firearms in more public areas (Valdez)
Worse than COVID shutdown. Pasco businesses in dire straits over overpass closure project

Walla Walla Union Bulletin
Planned Parenthood installs 24/7 morning-after pill vending machine

Washington Post
Businesses escalate fight against Biden rule on gig worker pay
Federal judge orders minority-business agency opened to all races
Why hospitals in many states with legal abortion may refuse to perform them

WA State Standard
House, Senate at odds on rules to govern collective bargaining with their staff (Stanford, Riccelli)
Child sex trafficking survivor says update of WA laws will help prevent stories like hers (Dhingra)
EPA looks to unlock Superfund dollars for Columbia River site in northeast Washington

Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima Valley junior water rights holders looking at reduced supply for coming year

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Duwamish tribe wants input on City of Seattle projects
Puget Sound Energy works to make power outages ‘invisible’ to customers
Some law enforcement agencies say they won’t change pursuit policies after new initiative goes into effect
Hundreds of Longview residents are unable to get opioid medication for chronic pain from local pharmacies
Former WSDOT economist sues agency and governor’s office, claims he was pressured to lie about gas prices

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Bill to create AI task force passes Washington state legislature
Seattle Mayor announces “One Seattle” comprehensive housing plan affecting all neighborhoods

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
K-12 parental ‘bill of rights’ set to become law in Washington State (Marci)

KNKX Public Radio
Washington police pursuit rules to change after Legislature adopts 3 voter initiatives (Trudeau)

KUOW Public Radio
Here’s why WA Democrats passed 3 Republican-backed voter initiatives (Goodman, Pedersen, Jinkins)
King County leaders say they have new plans to fight the opioid crisis. But when?
Washington’s legislative maps were challenged by someone who helped draw them
Facing another hotel eviction, Seattle area asylum-seekers lean on religious groups to foot the bill

KXLY (ABC)
New law aims to ease police chase restrictions in Washington
EPA proposes adding Upper Columbia River to National Priorities List for cleanup

FOX13 TV
Washington’s ‘Stripper Bill of Rights’: Proposed bill aims to protect sex workers

Web

B-Town Blog
Sen. Karen Keiser announces that she will retire from WA State Legislature (Keiser, Billig)

Cascadia Daily News
A maxed-out power grid: What it takes to keep the lights on in Whatcom County
New Skagit hearing examiner to review controversial decision on gravel mine project

Crosscut
Seattle shares plan for more housing density in every neighborhood

Tuesday, March 5

As an opioids scourge devastates tribes, lawmakers work to provide relief
A bill that would bring millions of dollars to tribes in Washington state to address the opioid crisis received unanimous support in the House on Friday, opening the door for state funding to address a scourge that some say is claiming a generation. “This bill invests in Indian country. It invests in the Native Americans of Washington state. It invests in the preservation of generations of Native Americans whose land we stand on today,” Democratic Rep. Debra Lekanoff, who is Tlingit and Aleut, said during the vote. Continue reading at ICT News. (Lindsey Wasson)

Bill requiring WA schools to carry overdose reversal medication heads to Inslee
Washington House and Senate lawmakers have unanimously passed a bill requiring all public, charter and certain tribal schools in the state to carry naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medication also known by the brand name Narcan. Senate Bill 5804, sponsored by Sen. Patty Kuderer, D-Bellevue, will move to Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk, where he is expected to sign it into law, Kuderer’s office said. “We all wish we weren’t here as a nation, but we are,” Kuderer said. “This bill is about saving lives.” Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Drew Angerer)

Rules on firearms storage, open-carry, buybacks, and gun dealers advance in Washington Legislature
As the Washington Legislature heads into its final week, four bills that address firearms storage, open-carry, buybacks and gun dealers have passed both chambers and appear headed to the governor’s desk. HB 1903 establishes a civil infraction and fine of up to $1,000 for gun owners who fail to report a lost or stolen firearm within 24 hours. The owner could be fined if a “prohibited person” subsequently gains access to the firearm. Continue reading at KUOW. (Everett Police Department)

Print

Axios
Seattle among first to get double-decker wireless electric buses

Bellingham Herald
Thousands of schools at risk of closing due to enrollment loss: An exclusive report
This WA agency handled dozens of complaints in ’23. Here’s what angered consumers

Capital Press
Federal water managers to increase spill over dams
Reclamation bureau projects 72% water supply in Yakima River basin

Columbian
Housed, but hanging on by thread: Vancouver family struggles as they watch neighbors end up homeless
PeaceHealth Southwest Washington Medical Center sued by former worker, accused of wage and hours violations

Everett Herald
To combat overdoses, Mountlake Terrace police expand naloxone access
Editorial: Schools need to adopt policies on use of AI tools

Indian Country Today
As an opioids scourge devastates tribes, lawmakers work to provide relief (Lekanoff)

Islands’ Weekly
State Government: No ‘implementation’ funds this year for privately-run water taxi service in San Juans (Ramel)

News Tribune
Locked-up sex predators sued WA over dirty water. State’s agreed to settle for millions
WA Legislature passes 3 controversial initiatives as clock counts down for 2024 session (Robinson, Pedersen, Kuderer)

Puget Sound Business Journal
FAA finds production line issues at Boeing and key supplier
Bankruptcy filings are on the rise, but a larger surge is looming

Seattle Medium
Washington State Legislature Passes Bill To Expand Benefits For Veterans (Lovick)

Seattle Times
King County announces 5 new priorities in addressing fentanyl crisis
Mayor Harrell proposes housing density in every Seattle neighborhood
As free COVID test program ends, here’s how to get no-cost tests in WA
WA Legislature passes 3 initiatives covering taxes, schools and police chases (Street, Macri, Kuderer)

Spokesman Review
SPS investigates racist slavery-themed item in Wilson Elementary newsletter
Initiative enhancing parental rights over school-aged children approved by Washington legislature (Wellman, Wilson)
Washingtonians do not – and will not – have to pay personal income tax with initiative passed by the Legislature (Robinson, Ormsby, Street)
Washington Legislature loosens restrictions on police pursuits as Legislature backs initiative walking back chase reforms (Billig, Ormsby)
Opinion: New parental rights legislation poses a threat to youth health

Tri-City Herald
Bill to avert U.S. government shutdown includes record $3B Hanford nuclear site spending

Washington Post
Want to electrify your home? It might need this upgrade first.
U.S. caps most credit card late fees at $8 in new Biden crackdown
‘On stolen land’: Tribes fight clean-energy projects backed by Biden

WA State Standard
Washington Legislature approves three citizen initiatives (Robinson, Street, Wellman, Macri, Kuderer, Farivar)
WA Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig not running for reelection (Billig)
Bill requiring WA schools to carry overdose reversal medication heads to Inslee (Kuderer, Leavitt)

Wenatchee World
Columbia Elementary supporters rally at Washington Park

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
King County reveals plans to combat fentanyl overdoses
Burien City Council approves amendment to make public camping ban stricter
Seattle family real estate business shares hope amid decades-old racist housing practices
Driver who hit and killed WSP trooper on I-5 admitted to weed, alcohol use before deadly crash, court documents say

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Sound Transit beefing up security after numerous violent occurrences
Washington lawmakers pass initiative to roll back limits on police pursuits (Farivar)

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
King County announces new fentanyl overdose prevention actions
FAA says Boeing fails to meet quality-control standards in manufacturing
Seattle city attorney’s office seeks removal of judge from future cases, alleging bias

KUOW Public Radio
State steps in as Tukwila School District faces fiscal crisis
FAA audit faults Boeing for ‘multiple instances’ of quality control shortcomings
Washington police pursuit rules to change after Legislature adopts 3 voter initiatives (Trudeau)
Measure would clear the way for Washington high schoolers to get an even earlier jump on college
Rules on firearms storage, open-carry, buybacks, and gun dealers advance in Washington Legislature

KXLY (ABC)
Spokane City Council considers declaring a public health emergency due to growing drug crisis

NW Public Radio
New hearing is scheduled for WA redistricting map case

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Lynden High School sees double-digit jump in freshmen passing classes
Opinion: Secrecy spreads as Washington’s landmark transparency law is shredded

Crosscut
How the Israel/Hamas war influenced a WA genocide education bill (Wellman, Alvarado)

West Seattle Blog
State Legislature passes initiative allowing more police chases; West Seattle legislators all vote no (Nguyen, Alvarado, Fitzgibbon)

Monday, March 4

WA legislators are pushing new gun bills. Here’s what could pass
After the Washington Legislature passed a ban on the sale of many semiautomatic rifles in 2023, Everytown for Gun Safety ranked Washington among the top 10 states with the strongest regulations. But gun safety and responsibility advocates weren’t done with their work in Olympia, and have proposed a group of new regulations during the 2024 session, with a few proposals likely headed toward the governor’s desk – including one that would require people to report the theft of a firearm within 24 hours. Continue reading at Crosscut. (Amanda Snyder)

Fentanyl crisis in WA needs a turning point, so what is being done?
Washington came to understand the scope and severity of the state’s fentanyl crisis in 2023 more than any other year. State lawmakers made fentanyl one of the pressing issues in the short legislative session. A new Seattle City Council has also named the drug crisis a top priority, inspiring a renewed focus on law and order. Here are five things to look for in 2024, according to experts from state and local policy, health, education and law enforcement. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Kevin Clark)

Washington lawmakers move to rein in unscrupulous rooftop solar companies
Out-of-state sales lead generators and marketing companies are responsible for many of the dubious solar energy ads you encounter online. Deceptive and high-pressure in-person tactics are also generating complaints to state government, notably when salespeople overpromise on incentives and electricity bill savings. And, in some cases, homeowners have reported flawed installs that left their homes damaged and their new solar panels not working correctly. In Olympia this winter, state lawmakers took a stab at addressing these issues by strengthening consumer protections for solar installations.
Continue reading at WA State Standard. (Getty Images)