It’s now week 5 of the legislative session in Olympia.
Last week (Week 4) of the short session that ends March 12 saw a transition to hearing bills in the funding committees (Appropriations and Ways & Means) when a bill involved funding (had a fiscal note) or were transportation related. Our best arguments might not be heard on why an issue is good or bad – these committees consider arguments to fund or not to fund. But our votes will still be registered.
Some good news is that all the bad bills should have been filed by Feb. 4 – bill cutoff from committees. There is an outside chance that a new bill could be introduced this weekend and pass out of the finance committees by Monday February 9. We wouldn’t put it past them, but we should have seen their worst for this session.
Friday featured the continued push to tax millionaires in Senate Bill 6346, which saw 61,000 (75%) of registrants that were CON, which is probably a record. The Senate also passed the anti-voter integrity bill SB 5892 that “protects the voter registration database,” supposedly stopping the state from complying with ongoing federal data requests and court cases. That bill will move on to a house committee as early as next week.
Committees are generally going to be quiet for the next week or so as the full chambers convene to debate.
Floor action is best followed on the House Floor Calendar and Senate Floor Calendar.
When a bill is being debated on the floor, you can still write letters to legislators, call their offices to register your concerns or support, and ask for a meeting (most will meet virtually now).
Thanks,
Legislative Action Committee