Essential information on each bill is below. For more details, click on the bill number – e.g., “SB 5000.” The new page will show the progress of the bill, videos of debate, and the link to send a comment to your legislator about the bill.
Bill Summary
Washington State House Bill 1310 is a bipartisan bill that aims to improve special education funding. The bill addresses issues of inadequate funding, proposing to eliminate enrollment caps and increase funding multipliers. It emphasizes inclusion by incentivizing students’ placement in general education settings. The bill also streamlines the safety net application process for districts with exceptional needs and establishes mechanisms for monitoring and reducing disproportionality in special education identification. Finally, it mandates reporting on the impact of these changes.
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Environment
Concerning the implementation of the recommendations of the department of fish and wildlife regarding the gray wolf.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1311 addresses the management and protection of gray wolves in Washington state by implementing recommendations from the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The bill finds that the wolf population has grown steadily for 14 consecutive years since 2008, expanding across various regions of the state, and determines that the current “endangered” designation is no longer appropriate. Instead, the bill proposes changing the wolves’ status to “sensitive,” which would protect them from unlawful take, harassment, and hunting while still allowing for ongoing monitoring and cooperative management. The new classification would prohibit wolf hunting, maintain their listing as a priority species, and require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to prioritize wolf conservation. The sensitive species designation would be reviewed in two years and would only revert to endangered status if the wolf population is shown to be vulnerable or declining below the current population count. The bill amends existing wildlife classification laws to provide this new regulatory framework and requires the director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife to implement these changes as soon as practicable. The WDFW will manage wolves under the new classification, prioritizing conservation efforts and habitat protection.
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Safety
Concerning persons serving long sentences for offenses committed prior to reaching 21 years of age.
Bill Summary
HB 1317 is a dangerous rollback of sentencing laws that prioritizes leniency for violent offenders — such as murders and rapists — over justice for victims and public safety. By allowing individuals convicted of serious crimes under the age of 21 to petition for early release, the bill undermines the severity of their offenses and reduces accountability. The existing system already allows courts to consider mitigating factors of youth at sentencing, making this bill unnecessary. Reducing the minimum time served for crimes like first-degree murder ignores the lasting impact these violent acts have on victims’ families and communities. Victims and their families deserve certainty and closure, not a legal process that reopens their trauma and forces them to relive it every few years.
The bill also would force the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board (ISRB) to evaluate and possibly release offenders who were originally given lengthy sentences for a reason. Lowering the threshold for early release from 20 years to 15 years further weakens sentencing, sending the wrong message about consequences for violent crime. Washington’s justice system should focus on protecting communities and ensuring that violent criminals serve the time they were given. By opposing HB 1317, we stand against the Democrat’s “soft-on-crime” agenda.
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Safety
Concerning the governor’s authority to limit outside militia activities within the state.
Bill Summary
This is Gov. Ferguson’s “emergency” legislative act designed to prevent the arrest of illegal immigrants. The argument for a declared emergency measure is its “necessity” for “preserving public safety” and supporting state government. If state government was truly interested in preserving public safety they would have passed an emergency measure preventing illegal immigrants from entering our state. This Washington state legislative act restricts the entry of out-of-state militias into the state unless the governor provides written authorization or there’s a federal call to service. The governor retains the power to revoke such authorization at any time. The act mandates that a militia immediately cease operations and depart upon receiving notification of a denial or withdrawal of entry.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1323 proposes that individuals who intentionally block state highways without lawful authority, while acting in concert with three or more people, face gross misdemeanor charges. For those who organize or lead such activities, the bill introduces stricter consequences, elevating the offense to a Class C felony with mandatory penalties, including a minimum fine of $5,000 and at least 30 days in jail. Additionally, repeat offenders or those whose actions result in harm or delays to emergency services would face enhanced penalties, ensuring accountability for the significant risks imposed on public safety.
Last year, pro-Palestinian protesters successfully shut down highway traffic on two separate occasions. The first was in January, when protesters blocked all northbound lanes of I-5 in downtown Seattle for five hours. The second was in April, when protesters obstructed access to SeaTac Airport for three hours. While only six individuals were charged for the I-5 incident, 46 people faced charges following the SeaTac incident. However, charges against all 46 were dropped in August.
Rep. Andrew Barkis, R-Yelm says that’s unacceptable. “This legislation is about protecting commuters and communities alike, ensuring those who put the public at risk through reckless and illegal behavior face appropriate consequences for their actions,” said Barkis. “Last year, highway blockades disrupted lives, delayed emergency services, and created unnecessary risks on our roads. By passing this bill, lawmakers can send a clear message that Washington will not tolerate these stunts going forward. It is critical we prioritize the needs of law-abiding Washingtonians over criminals who have no respect for their fellow citizens.”