OLYMPIA—At a key deadline for legislation to pass each chamber, the House of Representatives has approved bills by Rep. Steve Tharinger (D-Port Townsend) and Rep. Adam Bernbaum (D-Port Angeles).
“We’re now considering bills the Senate passed while they vote on our bills,” said Tharinger, chair of the House Capital Budget Committee. “The House will release its operating budget proposal and March 24 and the capital budget proposal on March 31.”
The 105-day legislative session is scheduled to end on April 27.
“Our legislation tends to focus on bipartisan issues,” Bernbaum said. “Childcare, health care, wildfire prevention—those are policy areas that connect everyone here in the 24th District.”
Wildfires—Our state has over 1.25 million acres of untreated forest in need of prescribed burn or other intervention. House Bill 1563, a priority for the environmental community sponsored by Rep. Bernbaum, creates a pilot program to support prescribed burns. The bill passed off of the House floor on March 7 by a vote of 96 to 1.
Health care price transparency—The healthcare system can be difficult to navigate for many Washingtonians. House Bill 1382 introduced by Rep. Tharinger aligns state law with federal policy regarding healthcare price transparency. This bill will help Washingtonians traverse the healthcare system easier by modernizing the Washington State All Payers Claim Database. The bill passed the House on March 5 by a vote of 58 to 39.
Good government—House Bill 1439 by Rep. Bernbaum modifies motor vehicle and driver licensing laws to align with federal definitions, as well as making technical corrections and streamlining requirements for the Department of Licensing. The House passed it off the floor on March 4 by a unanimous vote of 95 to 0.
Supporting the timber industry—House Bill 1389 by Rep. Bernbaum extends the expiration date for reporting requirement on timber purchases. It passed the House on March 10 by a unanimous vote of 93-0.
Childcare—The Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program is a vital service that ensures all children in Washington have the resources to get a fair start in life. House Bill 1351 by Rep. Bernbaum allows children slightly older than the required age to fill extra available spaces. This legislation allows children in need to access the services they require as soon as possible. This bill unanimously passed the house on March 4 by a vote of 96 to 0.
###