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
Concerning the sales and use tax supporting chemical dependency and mental health treatment programs.
Bill Summary
SB 5696 amends an RCW to clarify the use of sales and use tax revenues for chemical dependency and mental health treatment programs, as well as therapeutic court programs. It establishes that the construction of new facilities and modifications to existing structures are acceptable uses of the tax revenues. The bill emphasizes that these programs are part of local government public safety initiatives and outlines the specific purposes for which the collected funds must be utilized, including treatment services, case management, transportation, and housing.
Additionally, the bill details the conditions under which counties and cities can impose the sales and use tax, including provisions for crediting taxes imposed by cities within counties. It specifies the percentage of collected funds that may be used to supplant existing funding for various populations and timelines, ensuring that the primary focus remains on providing new or expanded services. The legislation also allows for the use of funds to support the costs associated with therapeutic court operations, while ensuring that the funds cannot be used to replace lapsed federal funding for these services.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5703 is a common sense reform that upholds fairness for municipal solid waste systems across our cities and counties. The bill removes waste-to-energy facilities from being unfairly burdened under the state’s Cap-and-Invest Program, ensuring they are treated like other essential public services. These facilities play a crucial role in waste management, converting trash into energy rather than allowing it to pile up in landfills. Under current law, however, they face costly carbon credit requirements that drive up waste disposal costs for local governments and taxpayers.
By exempting waste-to-energy facilities that have been in operation since before 1992, this bill protects municipalities from unnecessary financial strain while maintaining responsible environmental policies. The current system disproportionately impacts communities that rely on these facilities, penalizing them for providing efficient waste solutions. SB 5703 corrects this imbalance, helping local governments maintain affordable waste management without sacrificing environmental protections. Waste-to-energy remains a cleaner alternative to landfills, which release harmful methane into the atmosphere without energy recovery.
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Safety
Improving traffic safety by modifying penalty amounts for certain traffic infractions.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5705 aims to improve traffic safety by modifying penalty amounts for various traffic infractions across multiple sections of Washington state law. The bill introduces escalating penalties for repeat offenders within two-year periods for several traffic-related violations, including following too closely, speeding, negligent driving, and using personal electronic devices while driving. Specifically, for these infractions, a second or subsequent violation within two years will result in a fine double the base penalty amount, though courts retain some discretion to waive or reduce the fine.
The bill also adds a new provision that increases penalties for using a personal electronic device in school, playground, or crosswalk speed zones, with a mandatory double penalty that cannot be waived or reduced. The changes are intended to create stronger deterrents for repeated traffic violations and enhance overall road safety by imposing more significant consequences for drivers who repeatedly engage in risky behavior.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5708 aims to enhance the protection of minors in Washington state when using online services, products, or features. The bill mandates that businesses providing online services likely to be accessed by minors must implement age estimation practices, apply privacy protections, and configure default privacy settings to prioritize minors’ safety. Additionally, it prohibits the collection, sale, or retention of personal information from minors under 13, unless necessary for age assurance compliance.
Furthermore, the bill outlines specific actions that businesses must take to protect minors, including providing clear privacy information, enforcing community standards, and ensuring that minors are aware when they are being monitored. It also restricts the use of personal information in ways that could harm minors and prohibits the use of “dark patterns” to manipulate minors into providing personal information. The legislation establishes penalties for violations and emphasizes that compliance does not shield businesses from liability for harm caused to minors. Overall, the bill seeks to create a safer online environment for children by regulating how online services interact with and protect young users.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5710 addresses diesel vessel procurement for the Washington State Ferries by authorizing the department of transportation to contract for the acquisition of clean diesel ferry vessels to replace the current Issaquah class. The bill allows the department to use multiple procurement methods, including design-build, design-bid-build, or lease-to-buy options, and provides flexibility in the vessel acquisition process. Notably, the bill includes a 13 percent bid price credit for vessels constructed in Washington state, which represents the economic impact and additional costs associated with out-of-state shipbuilding.
The legislation exempts these vessel procurement contracts from certain standard procurement requirements and allows the department to postpone hybrid electric vessel conversions if service problems might arise. The bill also includes provisions for independent oversight, such as employing third-party experts to monitor the vessel procurement process, and requires contractors to meet various state and federal requirements related to apprenticeships, environmental standards, and business enterprise goals. An emergency clause is included, indicating the immediate importance of the legislation for public safety and state transportation infrastructure.