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
Senate Bill 5169 seeks to reduce the trauma experienced by children who witness violent crimes. The bill would allow out-of-court statements from children under 18 to be used as evidence in cases involving violent crimes, trafficking, or sexual exploitation. It also clarifies that child witnesses may testify via closed-circuit television, shielding them from the witnesses, ensuring that their testimony can be presented in a way that prioritizes their well-being while upholding justice. “Children who witness violent crimes should not have to endure further trauma in the courtroom,” said T’wina Nobles, D-Fircrest. “This bill ensures that their voices are heard in a way that prioritizes their well-being while upholding justice.”
The legislation also modifies Washington’s hearsay rules by making statements from children of testifying in open court. Under current law, out-of-court statements from children are only admissible if the child was the direct victim of the crime, often requiring young witnesses to testify in court, where they may face intimidation or retraumatization. SB 5169 expands these protections to chid witnesses admissible in dependency proceedings, adult criminal trials, and juvenile adjudications under certain conditions. Specifically, it applies to statements describing: Acts or attempted acts of physical abuse against the child or another child; trafficking or sexual exploitation of children and related violations; acts or attempted acts of sexual contact involving the child or another child; violent offenses or attempted violent offenses committed against or by someone known to the child.
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Property
Concerning boundary line surveys on public lands owned or managed by the Department of Natural Resources.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5170 establishes new notification and consultation requirements for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) when conducting land surveys and boundary line adjustments on public lands. Specifically, when DNR plans to establish land boundaries on non-aquatic lands, they must provide written notification to affected landowners within 30 days of the proposed survey. The notification must include details about the current and future location of proposed section corners or boundary markers. DNR must also provide landowners an opportunity to review the proposed boundaries, present historical evidence about boundary locations, and be involved in discussions about potential changes to their property boundaries. Before undertaking any survey under existing state laws, DNR must first notify adjoining landowners in writing and allow them to review, comment, and provide evidence about historical boundaries. Additionally, the bill modifies existing law to require that before DNR can file a lawsuit to determine a boundary line, they must first follow these new notification and consultation procedures. These provisions aim to increase transparency and collaboration between DNR and neighboring landowners during boundary surveys and potential adjustments.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5171 addresses important concerns for livestock owners who are affected by wolf predation. The bill outlines a fairer and clearer process for claiming damages resulting from wolf attacks. One of the bill’s key provisions is the introduction of “indirect damage claims” that account for losses not just from direct kills but also from losses caused by harassment and disruption by wolves, such as reduced weight gain. The bill requires that these indirect damages be measured by comparing current year losses to a claimant’s average losses before wolves re-established in the region, ensuring fairness in the claim process.
It also widens the scope for indirect claims, even considering livestock losses that cannot be immediately explained but were found in wolf-occupied areas. This ensures that farmers are not left without compensation when the exact cause of death is unclear but wolves are known to be in the vicinity. By making these adjustments, the bill equips both the Department of Fish and Wildlife and affected farmers with the tools for a more precise compensation process. This proposed change will help ensure that farmers are fairly compensated for actual losses attributable to wolf predation, and can continue raising livestock without undue financial damage from these events.
Bill Summary
As they are prone to do, the government – specifically the Department of Ecology – now wants to manage your ability to heat your home. Senate Bill 5174 updates Washington state’s regulations concerning wood burning devices by revising multiple sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) related to air quality and emission standards. The bill modifies definitions for wood burning devices, including adding new definitions for residential forced-air furnaces and residential hydronic heaters, and updates terminology from “solid fuel” to “wood” throughout the text. The legislation authorizes the Department of Ecology to adopt federal emission standards for various wood burning devices, including new residential wood heaters, forced-air furnaces, and hydronic heaters.
The bill allows the department to implement emission standards for masonry heaters and establishes a process for maintaining and updating these standards, with provisions for retailers to sell existing inventory for up to 12 months after a device is removed from the department’s certification list. No wood burning devices will be available to purchase in Washington State that do not meet the statewide emission performance standards. Furthermore, it will be illegal for a homeowner to sell their home if the wood burning device does not meet the emission performance standards. Additionally, the bill maintains existing regulations about burn bans during periods of impaired air quality, restrictions on materials that can be burned, and provisions for emergency situations, while providing more precise language and updated references to federal environmental protection standards.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5175 establishes a photovoltaic module stewardship and takeback program in Washington State, amending existing laws to ensure a safe and environmentally sound recycling system for photovoltaic modules. It mandates that manufacturers finance the takeback and recycling system, and outlines the responsibilities of various stakeholders, including manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. Key provisions include the requirement for manufacturers to submit a stewardship plan by January 31, 2030, detailing how they will manage the recycling process, minimize hazardous waste, and recover valuable materials. The bill also establishes a photovoltaic module advisory committee to provide recommendations on the program.
Additionally, the bill includes provisions for penalties for non-compliance, such as fines for manufacturers that fail to submit an approved stewardship plan before selling photovoltaic modules. It also allows for the establishment of a photovoltaic module recycling account to fund the program’s administrative costs. The advisory committee will consist of various stakeholders, including representatives from tribal organizations, environmental nonprofits, and the photovoltaic industry, and is tasked with developing recommendations for effective recycling practices. The act is set to take effect on June 30, 2025, and includes an expiration date for the advisory committee’s provisions in July 2030. The bill has unanimous bipartisan support in the Senate.