Action Alerts for bills will be shown here in accordance with the schedule of the testimony hearings.
Bills below are for the week of: Monday, February 23rd to Friday, February 28th, 2025.
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Environment
A hearing on HB 1037 has been scheduled:
Senate Bill 5053 amends existing laws regarding the creation and governance of public facilities districts in Washington State. It allows towns and cities in counties with populations under one million to create such districts, either individually or through agreements with contiguous towns or counties. Additionally, it specifies that cities with populations between 80,000 and 115,000 in counties with populations over one million can also establish districts if they meet certain conditions. The bill introduces provisions for the governance structure of these districts, including the composition of boards of directors, which can vary based on how the district is formed. Notably, it allows for the creation of additional public facilities districts under specific conditions and clarifies the boundaries of these districts.
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Education
A hearing on SB 5007 has been scheduled:
Senate Bill 5007 is focused on supporting students who are chronically absent and at risk of not graduating high school. You can’t teach kids who aren’t in the classroom, and absenteeism has become a major barrier to ensuring all students receive the education they deserve. This bill strikes a balance, respecting local and parental authority while ensuring schools have the tools to reengage students and help them succeed.
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Education
A hearing on SB 5027 has been scheduled:
Senate Bill 5027 establishes a law school loan repayment program specifically for public defenders and prosecutors in Washington State, aimed at alleviating the financial burden of educational loans for attorneys working in these critical roles. To qualify, applicants must be licensed attorneys practicing full-time in public defense or prosecution, with a commitment to maintain their positions for at least three years. The program offers a minimum of $20,000 per year in loan repayment assistance for up to three years, with the possibility of extension, and sets a cap of $120,000 in total assistance. Participants must adhere to specific service obligations and report any changes in employment status, with provisions for repayment if they do not fulfill their commitments.
The legislation prioritizes funding for public defenders and prosecutors in rural areas if resources are limited, ensuring that those serving in underserved communities receive support.
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Environment
A hearing on SB 5033 has been scheduled:
Senate Bill 5033 addresses the sampling and testing of biosolids (municipal sewage sludge) for PFAS chemicals, which are known as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment. The bill requires the Washington State Department of Ecology to establish PFAS chemical sampling and testing requirements for biosolids by July 1, 2027, and complete a comprehensive analysis of PFAS levels in Washington state’s biosolids by July 1, 2028. By December 1, 2028, the department must submit a report to the legislature with a summary of the analysis and recommendations for future action.
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Health Care
A hearing on SB 5258 has been scheduled:
Senate Bill 5258 aims to implement recommendations from the state auditor to reduce improper Medicaid concurrent enrollment payments in Washington. It introduces several new sections which require collaboration between the authority and the department to notify each other when individuals enrolled in both Medicaid and other income-based programs move out of state. Additionally, the authority is tasked with working alongside federal agencies to clarify eligibility determinations for clients receiving social security income and to ensure that caseworkers are trained to prevent concurrent enrollments in multiple Medicaid programs. The bill also mandates that managed care organizations analyze their enrollment records monthly to identify individuals enrolled in multiple state Medicaid programs and report these findings to the authority.
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Safety
A hearing on SB 5278 has been scheduled:
Senate Bill 5278, also know as the Juvenile Rehabilitation Overcrowding Relief Act (J-RORA) addresses overcrowding in Washington’s juvenile rehabilitation institutions. It amends existing statutes and creates new sections to manage the population and protect youth and staff. The bill focuses on transferring juveniles to community-based programs, work release facilities, or, in some cases, to the Department of Corrections. It outlines eligibility criteria and procedures for these transfers, aiming to reduce institutional populations to rated bed capacity. The legislation also emphasizes assessments, rehabilitation programs, and risk management, while prioritizing public safety.
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Elections
A hearing on SB 5382 has been scheduled:
Senate Bill 5382, aka “The Initiative Killer,” would require those gathering initiative signatures to sign a declaration under penalty of false swearing that information written by signers is accurate and they were not paid for their signature. It also directs the Secretary of State, in validating signatures, to verify the address listed by a person on an initiative or referendum petition is the same as the one that is on their voter registration card. Specifically, if there is no address match or if the address is not specified, the signature will not be considered valid. Brian Heywood, founder of Let’s Go Washington, blasted the bill. “The legislature is showing what they really think about 3 million voters engaging in citizen advocacy,” he said in a statement. “This bill is politically motivated to solidify the power of the majority and silence anyone who questions their authority.”
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Transportation
A hearing on SB 5710 has been scheduled:
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.
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Safety
A hearing on SB 5757 has been scheduled:
Bipartisan SB 5757 enhances the regulation and oversight of automated traffic safety cameras used by cities and counties in Washington. The bill requires local legislative authorities to conduct an analysis of proposed camera locations, considering the impact on vulnerable road users, before installation or relocation. Significant changes include the stipulation that 50% of all revenue from automated traffic safety camera infractions must be deposited into the state motor vehicle fund. Furthermore, it clarifies that infractions detected by these cameras will not affect the registered owner’s driving record and sets a maximum fine of $145, adjustable for inflation, but with potential doubling for school zone violations.
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Education
A hearing on SJR 8200 has been scheduled:
Senate Joint Resolution 8200 proposes a Washington state constitutional amendment. The amendment modifies Article VII, section 2, and Article VIII, section 6, concerning property tax limitations and municipal debt. It aims to streamline the process for school districts to levy taxes and issue bonds, requiring a 55% voter approval rather than adherence to the existing threshold of 60%. Specific exceptions and conditions are outlined for exceeding tax and debt limits, including provisions for infrastructure projects and bond repayments.