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 5745 amends various sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) to enhance the legal framework surrounding involuntary treatment for individuals with behavioral health disorders. It introduces new definitions, such as “state facility,” which includes specific facilities operated by the Department of Social and Health Services, and clarifies the definition of “substance use disorder.” The bill also expands the definition of “treatment records” to encompass a broader range of documentation related to behavioral health services while excluding personal notes from treatment providers. Additionally, it updates terminology related to mental health and substance use treatment, ensuring alignment with current practices.
Moreover, the bill establishes a framework for legal representation in civil commitment cases, mandating that counties provide appointed counsel for individuals detained under mental health laws, regardless of their county of origin. It outlines the reimbursement process for legal services and specifies that no filing fees may be charged for civil commitment cases subject to reimbursement. The bill also emphasizes the importance of individualized treatment plans for minors and clarifies the roles of various professionals involved in mental health care. Overall, the amendments aim to improve access to legal support and enhance the clarity and effectiveness of mental health services in Washington State. The bill has very strong bipartisan support.
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Safety
Creating an advisory committee on electric vehicle charger infrastructure property crime.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5746 establishes an advisory committee focused on addressing property crimes related to electric vehicle charger infrastructure in Washington State. This committee will operate under the Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council and will include a diverse range of representatives, such as members from law enforcement, the attorney general’s office, local government, and the electric vehicle services industry. The committee’s responsibilities include providing guidance on reducing electric vehicle charger property crime, responding to legislative inquiries, and reporting its findings and recommendations in the council’s annual report. The committee is required to meet regularly and will be active until its expiration date of July 1, 2027. The legislation has unanimous bipartisan support in the Senate.
EV chargers have become a prime target nationwide and in Washington as thieves look to make a quick buck by selling charger cables for recycling. Last year a trade publication reported about 100 thefts of EV charging equipment in Seattle, rendering about 5.6 percent of the city’s 1,780 chargers at least temporarily unusable. The State Department of Transportation reported that total wire theft on its properties cost taxpayers $1.5 million between 2021 and 2024.
“Whether we are talking about a coordinated effort to steal charger cords for their copper recycling value, or hooligans who wreck chargers just to be ornery, these crimes have a serious impact on our efforts to promote electric vehicles,” said Jeff Wilson, R-Longview. “Criminal gangs are getting involved, and these property crimes are skyrocketing.” Wilson continued, “Two years ago I passed a bill requiring scrap metal dealers to check ID and record information when people bring EV charger components in for recycling. That might help deter some thefts, but unfortunately this has become so lucrative that theft rings have become organized. The Legislature needs expert advice if it is going to slam the brakes on this crime. We’ve been intent on deploying charging stations across the state, but that’s really just the beginning. We also have to figure out how to keep the thieves and vandals away.”
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5747 supports affordable housing development, making it easier, faster, and more cost-effective to build and renovate homes for low- and moderate-income families. The bill allows affordable housing projects to use any of the previous four building code standards or the latest international building codes, giving developers flexibility to reduce construction costs while maintaining safety and quality. By also permitting projects to adhere to previous energy code standards, the bill removes unnecessary regulatory barriers that drive up costs and delay much-needed housing projects. This legislation accelerates the construction of affordable housing, ensuring that working families, seniors, and those in need can find stable homes without unnecessary red tape.
The 12-year Multi-Family Property Tax Exemption (MFTE) program, which incentivizes the development of affordable housing, will now be more practical and attractive for builders. This means more rental units will be available at affordable prices, helping communities keep pace with housing demand. The bill does not compromise safety but instead provides builders with reasonable flexibility in using tried-and-tested building codes. It ensures that housing remains affordable by reducing excessive regulatory costs, allowing resources to go directly into home construction rather than bureaucratic hurdles.
For homeowners, the bill defines affordable housing as housing within reach of low- and moderate-income households, ensuring policies support real people in need. By cutting unnecessary restrictions, this legislation removes roadblocks that slow down housing projects, helping to address the state’s housing crisis. Lower development costs translate to lower rents and increased homeownership opportunities, benefiting families and individuals struggling with rising housing costs.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5748 offers an innovative solution to make development more affordable by incentivizing the reduction or elimination of impact fees. The bill allows cities and counties to replace traditional impact fees with a local sales and use tax, though it requires voter approval to do so. This tax would be capped at a rate of 1% and can only be enacted if a local government significantly reduces impact fees by at least 50%. By allowing for a substantial reduction or outright elimination of impact fees, this bill reduces the financial burden on developers, ultimately making new housing and businesses more affordable in rapidly growing areas.
Cities and counties would retain local control over how these tax revenues are spent, ensuring they go directly to the public facilities for which impact fees would have been collected, such as roads, parks, schools, and fire protection services. This will make development easier and faster, which is essential to meet the demands of a growing population. The ability to review the tax rate every three years ensures that it stays balanced with development costs and prevents unnecessary taxation. Such a system removes the financial barriers that can delay or even prevent the construction of much-needed housing and business expansions. With clear and targeted use of tax revenues, SB 5748 provides a transparent and accountable model for funding local infrastructure. This is a win-win for both developers and the communities that desperately need new homes and services.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5749 aims to address the housing supply crisis in Washington State by allowing cities and code cities to designate “housing development opportunity zones.” These zones can be established in areas with existing large commercial developments, such as shopping malls and vacant stores, to prioritize residential and mixed-use development. The bill outlines that cities can utilize existing infrastructure and may waive impact fees to reduce development costs. Additionally, the resolutions or ordinances for these zones are exempt from certain planning requirements, allowing for more flexible implementation.
To ensure accountability, the bill mandates an evaluation by the joint legislative audit and review committee to assess the number of housing units, particularly affordable housing units, created in these zones. If the review indicates that affordable housing has not increased, the legislature intends to repeal the authorization for these zones. The act is set to expire on July 1, 2045, and requires cities to cooperate with the committee in providing necessary data for the evaluation.