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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Safety
Expanding the crime of endangerment with a controlled substance to include fentanyl and other high-potency synthetic opioids.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1087 would criminalize knowingly exposing a child or dependent adult to fentanyl or other synthetic opioids.
“Fentanyl has devastated families and communities across Washington state. No child should be put in harm’s way because of the reckless actions of adults,” said Graham, who was recently appointed ranking Republican on the House Community Safety Committee. “This bill is a solution to fix Washington by protecting our most vulnerable and holding offenders accountable.”
Currently, under state law, endangerment with a controlled substance applies primarily to methamphetamine exposure. If passed, House Bill 1087 would expand the applicable substances to include fentanyl, its chemical derivatives and other synthetic opioids. Knowingly exposing a child or dependent adult to these substances would be classified as a Class B felony,
“We must do more to address the addiction crisis in Washington state, specifically regarding fentanyl,” Couture said. “At the same time, we have to ensure this drug is not claiming the lives of Washington children who do not choose to expose themselves to this drug. Sadly, we are seeing these unnecessary deaths rising in our state. When a parent’s addiction costs a child their life, there must be real consequences. This bill ensures those consequences exist.”
Bill Summary
In his ongoing effort to stop the needless deaths of children exposed to fentanyl by parents struggling with addiction, Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, has pre-filed legislation to protect children from fentanyl and other dangerous drugs in the home. Fentanyl is the leading cause of death among kids under Child Protective Services supervision.
“The state of Washington is leaving innocent babies and toddlers trapped in homes where parents are actively abusing hard drugs like fentanyl and meth,” said Couture. “The Department of Children, Youth and Families thinks it’s safe to lock small children in homes where they can easily ingest these deadly drugs that in some cases look like candy. These kids are dying because parents are prioritizing drugs over them. It is our job to make sure that can’t happen. It is our job to give these kids the chance they deserve.”
While much of the nation has seen a drop in fatal overdoses, Washington continues to see an increase, with nearly 3,600 overdose deaths in Washington state between May of 2023 and April 2024. Most of those deaths were related to fentanyl. During this same time frame, Washington state saw a significant increase in the number of young children dying or nearly dying because of accidental fentanyl exposure in the home last year, according to the latest Office of Family and Children’s Ombuds report.
Couture’s House Bill 1092 is an effort to reverse that trend. The bill would require law enforcement or Child Protective Services to remove kids from dangerous homes with fentanyl or other hard drug abuse. A parent or guardian’s promise to keep their drugs secured, such as in a lock box, would not be considered a sufficient safeguard to protect kids in the home.
After removing a child, parents would be urged to seek treatment for their addiction and offered services. A child who has been removed from the home due to exposure to fentanyl and other hard drugs can be reunited with their family once the Department of Children, Youth, and Families can show the parent or guardian has at least six months of sobriety by way of passing random drug screenings twice a month.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1096 aims to enhance housing options in Washington by allowing existing residential lots to be split into new residential lots through a streamlined administrative process. This initiative is designed to support homeowners facing changing life circumstances and to provide prospective homebuyers, particularly first-time buyers, with more affordable housing opportunities. The legislation mandates that cities complying with minimum density requirements must establish a process for simultaneous review and approval of administrative lot splits and residential building permits, facilitating the development of middle housing or single-family homes.
Key provisions include that the lot split process may only require an administrative decision without a public hearing, provided certain conditions are met, such as compliance with development standards and the absence of displacement of renters. The bill also stipulates that cities cannot impose limits on the number of dwelling units below what is allowed by existing zoning laws and that any newly created lots must adhere to local density requirements. Additionally, cities are granted immunity from liability related to the approval of lot splits, and the Department of Commerce is tasked with developing guidance and providing grants to assist cities in implementing these requirements.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1098 proposes establishing a new county local road trust account in Washington State’s motor vehicle fund and directs the County Road Administration Board to adopt rules regarding the allocation of funds in the account. The bill defines key terms related to road projects and establishes criteria for project selection, prioritizing overburdened communities and environmental health. It outlines eligible project types and details fund allocation procedures, including matching fund requirements and eligibility restrictions for counties working with the Washington State Department of Transportation. It limits the eligibility for these funds to counties with populations under 8,000 and counties that have not diverted county road levy funds for other purposes.
Bill Summary
House Bill 1099, sponsored by Sam Low, R-Lake Stevens, would establish a Tenant Assistance Program to provide monthly financial assistance of up to $400 for low-income renters, ensuring they pay no more than 30% of their monthly income on housing.
Washington’s housing crisis continues to burden residents across the state, with sky-rocketing home prices, the sixth-highest rents in the nation and more than 200,000 people experiencing homelessness or housing instability. In the past 40 years, Washington ranks #1 in the nation for the largest home price increase at 828 percent – way above the national average of 500 percent.
Rep. Low noted,”The situation we’re facing in Washington is dire. Nearly three-quarters of residents can’t afford to buy a median-priced home and renters are struggling with skyrocketing costs.” Low continued, “The housing crisis is not just about numbers—it’s about people—families struggling to make ends meet, young professionals unable to buy their first home, and seniors living in fear of losing what they’ve worked their entire lives to attain. This bill is designed to provide immediate relief and long-term solutions.”