TVW Daily Legislative Update

The Washington state Senate debated HB 2124, relating to collective bargaining rights for legislative employees.

Today's Legislative update is on a bill that would reduce tolls for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

On March 7, the Senate Ways and Means Committee convened to discuss a bill that would create a sales tax holiday on September 3-5.

This edition of Legislative Update covers a bill concerning abortion care.

On this Legislative Update we take a look at a bill that tries to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings.

The Washington State Senate debated HB 1725, relating to missing indigenous persons.

On this segment of Legislative Update we cover a resolution by the WA State Senate which supports Ukrainian Americans.

Today's Legislative Update covers a bill that would allow schools to excuse student absences due to mental health reasons

On this segment of Legislative Update we take a look at Governor Inslee's state indoor mask policy updates.

This Legislative Update is on a bill that would help make schools more equipped for earthquakes and tsunamis.

The house of representatives debates and votes on a bill that affects benefits and prices for Uber and Lyft drivers

Legislative Update covers the approval of the Senate's version of the Capital Budget.

The House Environment and Energy Committee meets for a public hearing where they discuss Senate Bill 5703, which bans the addition of certain toxic chemicals in cosmetics.

State Senate Democrats unveiled their proposed supplemental operating budget during a press conference.

On this segment of Legislative Update we cover a bill concerning medical translations on prescription bottles.

Legislative Update covers a bill that could potentially help reduce the cost of insulin.

This Legislative Update covers a bill concerning the energy efficiency of certain appliances.

On this segment of Legislative Update aSenate committee discusses a bill that aims to help address overdose and suicide fatalities.

On this segment of Legislative Update the House of Representatives passes SHB 1571 concerning missing indigenous people.

In this Legislative Update the Washington State Senate convened floor action on SB 5942 regarding the Uniform College Athlete Name, Image, or Likeness Act.

The Senate Transportation discussed the "Move Ahead Washington" transportation plan.

In this Legislative Update House of Representatives holds a floor session on HB 1901 concerning civil protection orders.

Senate Law & Justice Committee held a hearing on House Bill 1719, which aims to ease restrictions on law enforcement's use of military equipment. This would allow the use of firearms at least .50 caliber or greater, except for rifles.

On the final day for fiscal committees to act on bills, members of the House Appropriations convene for a public hearing on House Bill 1181, which aims to help prevent military and veteran suicide.

House Appropriations Committee covers a bill to strengthen housing assistance for youth exiting the state's child welfare system

The House Finance Committee listens to a public hearing on HB 1734 regarding taxing certain alcoholic drinks.

The Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee discusses a bill to legalize Psilocybin a.k.a "Magic Mushrooms."

The House Local Government Committee covers a bill regarding homeless housing in Growth Management Areas (GMAs).

Senate Labor, Commerce and Tribal Affairs Committee discusses a bill to put new staffing regulations on hospitals and health care facilities.

The Senate State Government & Elections Committee holds a public hearing to discuss SB 5909 concerning Governor's use of emergency powers.

The Senate Labor, Commerce, and Tribal Affairs Committee holds a public hearing on a bill concerning covid-19 health care workers.

Members of the senate business, financial services, and trade committee convened to discuss a new proposal for tax reform in Washington state. Senate bill 5769 aims to exempt state property taxes on homes worth at least two-hundred-and-fifty-thousand dollars, and to eliminate B&O taxes for manufacturers. The bill also proposes to repeal the capital gains tax and Washington's long-term care tax program.

The Senate Labor, Commerce, and Tribal Affairs Committee holds a public hearing to discuss SB 5559, which concerns the use of paid sick leave by uninsured employees.

The Senate Human Services, Reentry and Rehabilitation Committee discusses a bill to help with foster youth financial education.

The House Health Care and Wellness Committee held a public hearing on HB 1851, which expands access to abortion.

The House Transportation Committee listens to testimony on the status of highway rest areas.

The House Public Safety committee heard testimony on vehicular pursuits.

Representatives spoke on HR 4635 - Honoring Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr.

The House Transportation committee heard testimony on the cold-water shock bill, HB 1595 - Installing signs on or near bridges to provide information to deter jumping.

The Senate Law and Justice Committee discusses SB 5573 -Concerning drug offender sentencing alternatives for offenders convicted of driving or control of a vehicle while under the influence.

The House Civil Rights and Judiciary committee held a work session on HB1618.

The Washington state legislature begins the 2022 session. The 2022 legislative session is being held remotely dues to Covid restrictions.

Governor Jay Inslee gave his State-of-the-State address and Sen. Chris Gildon of Puyallup gave the Republican response.

The House also voted on the concurrence of several bills that have been amended by the senate thursday. One of them was House Bill 1168, which aims to reduce wildfires and improve long-term forest health.

In the afternoon of April 21st, the House convened for a floor debate on the highly-contentious capital gains tax bill. SB 5096 aims to impose a 7% tax on the sales of high-valued assets, such as stocks and bonds--with profits in excess of $250,000. The tax will fund child care and education in the state. Exempt from the tax are retirement funds, all real estate, agricultural resources such as farmland, livestock and timber; as well as qualified family-owned businesses, among others.

The House Appropriations Committee convened for an executive session Wednesday, April 21, to go over the highly-contentious Senate Bill 5476; also known as the “Blake Bill”. The bill addresses the Washington State Supreme Court's " State v. Blake" ruling that decriminalizes personal possession of certain amounts of drugs.

In the evening of April 19, state senators convened for a floor debate to discuss House Bill 1477, which aims to establish a national 988-crisis hotline to address behavioral health crises and suicide prevention. The hotline would be funded by an excise tax on certain telecommunications services -- which will mean an additional monthly charge on Washingtonians' cell phone bills.

On Monday, April 19th the House Appropriations Committee held a Public Hearing to discuss Senate Bill 5126, also Known as the Climate Commitment Act.

In the afternoon of Thursday, April 15, the Senate held a floor debate on Senate Bill 5476, a response to the Washington Supreme Court's recent "Blake" decision that decriminalized personal possession of certain amounts of drugs.

On the evening of April 14th, State Representatives convened for a floor session to discuss concurrence on House Bill 1267--concerning independent investigations on police use of force. The bill aims to establish a new state office under the Governor, to look into incidents that involve peace officers' use of deadly force.

Republican leaders gathered Wednesday morning during a virtual press conference to give their perspective on the legislative session so far.