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Dear friends and neighbors,
Six weeks down and nine to go!
Last Monday and today mark a couple of milestones in the legislative process: Policy and Fiscal cutoffs respectively.
The name fits perfectly because bills that don’t make the cut, meaning, they don’t get voted out of committee, are relegated to collect virtual dust on a figurative shelf until they’re automatically re-introduced next session.
When I get asked if a bill that got stuck in committee is dead, well, let’s just say its pulse is slowed way down. Because, since the Legislature runs on a 2-year cycle, many bills get worked on and improved over the interim so they can have a fighting chance to pass in the second year of the biennium.
After today’s fiscal cutoff at 5 p.m., the next step starting tomorrow is Floor action—voting on bills—all day, every day until Tuesday, March 9. Right after that, we’ll begin holding committee hearings on Senate bills.
Click on the image below to visit the calendar website, or click here for a day-to-day PDF version.
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Making progress on police reform and accountability
On February 10, we passed two police accountability bills that are part of the package proposed by the House Democrats’ Policing Policy Leadership Team, of which I am a member.
HB 1088, toughens state law on police officer impeachment disclosures, creates best practices and online training on that subject, and requires that law enforcement agencies must inquire about past impeachment disclosures before hiring an officer. Learn more about this measure here.
HB 1089, which I sponsored, provides meaningful transparency about investigations and charging decisions made after deadly force is used by police. These investigations are required under Initiative 940, passed by Washington voters in 2018.
My bill authorizes the State Auditor to review a deadly force investigation and determine whether the involved law enforcement agencies complied with all applicable rules and procedures. Additionally, upon request of the Criminal Justice Training Commission, the State Auditor would provide review of a law enforcement agency to ensure that all applicable rules and procedures have been followed.
The purpose of these audits is to provide another check on the system as we continue efforts to build trust between communities and law enforcement. It’s an opportunity for ongoing learning and improving deadly force investigation policies and procedures to make sure they are working.
Watch my latest Video Update for a more in-depth look at this policy:
Could you have some dollars laying around and not know about it?
One in seven Washingtonians have unclaimed money from old utility deposits, bank accounts, investments, rebates, gift cards, insurance premiums and more waiting in the State Treasury to get picked up by its rightful owner.
If I had any money sitting somewhere, I’d like to know about it and how to retrieve it. So I am supporting HB 1352 to help get the word out about these lost funds, especially now that many people are struggling to make ends meet.
Check out this page at the Department of Revenue, to find out if you have any unclaimed money.
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Supporting Young Adults through COVID-19
It’s not easy for anyone right now, but youth 18-25, who may have seen big life changes derailed when COVID-19 hit, are experiencing particularly stressful challenges. Those are precious years in which young people start to spread their wings, head to college, enter the workforce, or even start a family.
Graduations, performances, first days on the job or in class have all been delayed or moved online. And even with the hope of vaccinations around the corner, many young adults may not see their lives go back to normal for a while. When they do, it won’t bring back the experiences that they missed.
If you parent, educate, mentor or counsel youth of this age, the Washington State Department of Health has put together some tips and resources in both English and en Español. You may have leaned heavily on these tactics over the past year, and I hope they serve as an affirmation of what you already do or inspiration for additional ways to connect with young adults who are struggling.
Behavioral health for all people, regardless of age, is something I take seriously and will carefully consider as we continue to pass legislation that puts people first.
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Ask BILL 3
In this third edition of Ask BILL, I respond to constituent emails on COVID vaccines and give kudos to Eastside Fire & Rescue for the great job they’re doing getting vaccines to folks in adult family homes (more information on that effort in this newsletter from the Mayor of Issaquah, Mary Lou Pauly).
I also have great news: my legislation on urban forestry, HB 1216, and the one on long-term forest health, HB 1168, were both passed out of Appropriations bringing them one step closer to hitting the Floor for a vote! And I also invite you to join your 5th legislative delegation at our virtual town hall on Saturday, March 13, at 11 a.m. For all the information, go to the Facebook event page, and submit questions in advance here.
Thank you for reading my newsletter. If you need more information on any of the issues discussed here, or on any other legislative matter, please don’t hesitate to contact my office.
And visit my official Facebook page for frequent updates.
Sincerely,
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