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.
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Taxes
Standardizing notification provisions relating to local tax rate changes and shared taxes administered by the department.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5315 aims to standardize notification provisions related to local tax rate changes and shared taxes administered by the Washington State Department of Revenue. Key amendments include changes to the effective dates for local sales and use tax changes, which can now take effect no sooner than 75 days after the department is notified in writing, and only on specific dates (January, April, or July). Additionally, the bill introduces a requirement for authorized authorities to notify the department in writing of any local sales and use tax changes, including providing a signed ordinance or resolution and, in cases of annexation, a complete ordinance with legal descriptions and maps.
Further amendments address public facilities districts, allowing them to impose sales and use taxes under certain conditions, with specific population thresholds and construction timelines. The bill also clarifies that the tax rate for these districts cannot exceed 0.037 percent and mandates that any tax imposed must be matched with funds from other public or private sources. Notably, the bill requires public facilities districts to notify the department in writing at least 75 days before retiring any bonds related to the tax, ensuring transparency and compliance with the new regulations.
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Energy
Exempting local governments providing certain services for projects under the jurisdiction of the energy facility siting evaluation council from certain appeals.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5317 is a critical step toward streamlining Washington’s energy infrastructure development by reducing unnecessary bureaucratic delays. This bill ensures that local governments providing technical assistance, application reviews, or inspections for energy facility projects under the jurisdiction of the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) are protected from excessive appeals that could slow down critical energy projects.
Currently, energy facility projects must navigate a complex web of local and state regulations, often facing prolonged legal challenges that stall construction, increase costs, and delay the availability of much-needed energy resources. SB 5317 eliminates redundant permitting requirements by ensuring that once an energy project is certified by the EFSEC, it is not subject to additional conflicting state or local laws. By cutting red tape, this bill supports faster approval and construction of energy facilities, including renewable energy projects that are essential for meeting Washington’s growing energy demands. It also gives cities and counties the confidence to engage in technical reviews without fear of legal roadblocks, ensuring that energy projects proceed efficiently and with proper oversight.
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Life
Concerning access at public postsecondary educational institutions to medication abortion.
Bill Summary
This Senate Bill mandates that public higher education institutions provide access to abortion medications for students by the 2026-27 academic year. The bill cites significant barriers for students seeking abortion services, including distance to facilities and increased wait times. It proposes solutions, including on-campus access through student health centers or referrals to off-campus providers, along with telehealth support.
Not surprisingly, the legislation does not take into account the dangers of utilizing abortion medications without physician supervision but instead emphasizes the purported safety and efficacy of the abortion medications. Unbelievably, the bill also notes the medications importance in regards to academic success. In other words, kill the baby so you can achieve better grades.
Abstaining from sex outside marriage would be a much better approach. By making it easier to obtain an abortion by simply going to the campus abortion clinic (sans ’Student Health Center’) it promotes even more promiscuous sexual behaviors. Please oppose this awful legislation.
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Safety
Concerning the penalties for theft and possession of stolen property from first responders.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5323 modifies Washington state law to enhance penalties for theft and possession of stolen property specifically related to first responders’ equipment. The legislation amends two existing criminal statutes to create a new category of theft and stolen property possession that applies when the stolen items are critical equipment used by firefighters or emergency medical service providers, taken from a fire station, emergency medical services building, facility, structure, or vehicle. Under the new provisions, such theft or possession would automatically be considered a first-degree offense – a class B felon – regardless of the monetary value of the stolen items. This change acknowledges the critical importance of emergency response equipment and provides stronger legal protections for first responders by creating more severe criminal consequences for those who steal their essential work tools and technology. The bill aims to deter theft of equipment that could potentially compromise emergency response capabilities and put public safety at risk.
Bill Summary
This bill amends the existing law regarding the Northeast Washington Wolf-Livestock Management Account, expanding the permitted uses of funds and codifying ongoing practices. The account, which is held by the state treasurer, can now receive receipts from various sources including legislative appropriations, private donations, and other public or private funding. The bill specifically allows expenditures for three purposes: (1) deploying nonlethal wolf deterrence resources, (2) wolf-livestock management, and (3) providing grants to the sheriffs’ offices in Stevens and Ferry counties to support a local wildlife specialist who assists the Department of Fish and Wildlife in wolf management.
The account’s expenditures can only be authorized by the director in consultation with an advisory board, and while the account is subject to standard state allotment procedures, it does not require a specific appropriation. Any interest earned on the account’s deposits will remain in the account. The bill also maintains the advisory board’s ability to solicit and receive gifts and grants from public and private sources to support wolf management efforts.