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 5583 raises the maximum price for raffle tickets from $25 to $30 and increases the age for youth hunting and fishing from 15 to 16 years old. The bill also establishes new reporting requirements for licensees, imposing administrative penalties for non-compliance, and requires hunters who failed to report their wildlife harvests in the previous year to complete a report and pay any penalties before obtaining a new license.
Further amendments include the introduction of a supplemental migratory bird permit for individuals aged 16 and older, updated age requirements for safe firearm handling certification, and new exemptions for current or retired federal peace officers from certain training requirements. The bill restructures fees for turkey tags, allocating two-thirds of the revenue for turkey or upland game bird management, and introduces new fee structures for various fishing and hunting licenses. It also allows for combination licenses that may offer discounts for seniors and disabled veterans, while repealing certain previous acts related to hunting and fishing regulations. The changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with specific provisions, such as surcharges on fees, taking effect on September 1, 2027.
SB 5583 proposes a 38% increase in recreational hunting and fishing license fees. This is a heavy financial burden on residents and the increased fees make hunting and fishing less accessible to the public, particularly to low-income or middle-class individuals. This bill will also hurt local businesses that rely on outdoor enthusiasts, such as sporting goods stores, rental shops, and guide services. The reduction in participation may create a ripple effect throughout the economy, leading to job losses and a decline in revenue for these businesses. While the bill outlines how revenue from the fee increases will be allocated to various enhancement and research programs, there’s no guarantee that these funds will effectively improve the fishing and hunting experience or that they will be used efficiently. Please oppose this legislation which acts another tax on the citizens of Washington.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5586, Washington State’s Electric Vehicle Battery Management Act, is modeled after the New Jersey EV batter bill and establishes a producer responsibility program for ensuring safe recycling ore repurposing of electric vehicle batteries. The bill mandates producers to create and implement battery management plans for collection, recycling, and disposal. These plans must detail environmentally sound practices and include consumer education initiatives. The act also outlines registration requirements for producers, fee structures to fund the program, and penalties for non-compliance. Finally, it amends existing law to incorporate the new regulations and clarifies definitions related to battery types and recycling processes.
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Housing
Concerning affordable housing development in counties not closing the gap between estimated existing housing units within the county and existing housing needs.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5587 aims to enhance affordable housing development in counties that are not meeting the housing needs of their populations. It amends existing laws to require the Washington Center for Real Estate Research to produce a series of reports that assess housing supply and affordability metrics for cities with populations of 10,000 or more. These reports will include analyses of existing housing units and needs across various income levels, as well as progress in closing the gap between housing supply and demand. The reports will be submitted to legislative committees for review and will be updated every two years.
Additionally, the bill modifies the criteria for local governments to qualify for financial assistance under the public works assistance program. It emphasizes the importance of projects that promote affordable housing, particularly in counties identified as having a gap between existing housing units and housing needs. The maximum funding amount for any jurisdiction is set at $10 million per biennium. The bill also introduces new language to prioritize projects that encourage infill development and affordable housing, ensuring that local governments are utilizing all available revenue sources for public works funding. The act is officially titled the Affordable Housing Action Act.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5601 aims to promote the production and utilization of alternative jet fuels in Washington State by amending existing laws and introducing new provisions. It establishes a competitive grant program to support the research, development, and construction of infrastructure necessary for alternative jet fuels. The legislation mandates collaboration among various stakeholders, including tribes and local governments, to foster the development of renewable fuels and green electrolytic hydrogen. Additionally, the Department of Ecology is required to prepare nonproject environmental impact statements for clean energy projects and consult with affected tribes regarding potential impacts.
Furthermore, the bill introduces new definitions and provisions related to the manufacturing and blending of alternative jet fuel, including tax exemptions for facilities engaged in these activities. Specifically, it exempts leasehold interests in buildings, machinery, and equipment used primarily for manufacturing or blending alternative jet fuel from state property and leasehold taxes, provided that the fuel produced meets certain carbon reduction criteria. The bill also establishes a performance statement for the tax preferences granted, with criteria for extending these preferences based on increased production, minimal pollution impact, and measurable economic growth. A preliminary report is due by December 1, 2032.
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Health Care
Providing sufficient funding for the Washington state long-term care ombuds program.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5606 addresses funding for Washington state’s long-term care ombuds program, which provides advocacy and protection for residents in licensed long-term care facilities. The bill first acknowledges that residents have specific rights under state law, are classified as vulnerable adults, and are entitled to ombuds services that help investigate and resolve complaints affecting their health, safety, and welfare.
The LTC Ombuds Program advocates for residents of nursing homes, adult family homes, and assisted living facilities. Its purpose is to protect and promote the resident rights guaranteed to residents under federal and state law and regulations. Program staff and certified volunteers are trained to receive complaints and resolve problems in situations involving quality of care, use of restraints, transfer and discharge, abuse, and other aspects of resident dignity and rights. The are on the front line of being advocates for residents.
The program needs additional funding to respond to the increase in the number of people who rely on long term care facilities. Recognizing that a 2020 report found insufficient funding to meet recommended staffing levels, the bill requires the long-term care ombuds program to develop annual funding recommendations by September 1, 2025. These recommendations must ensure adequate resources to maintain a ratio of one full-time ombuds for every 2,000 residents, as suggested by the Institute of Medicine. The funding recommendations must also account for projected growth in long-term care facilities, inflation factors from the consumer price index, and administrative needs. The department of commerce must then submit these recommendations to the office of financial management and legislative fiscal committees for budget consideration, with the ultimate goal of ensuring robust support for protecting the rights and well-being of long-term care facility residents.