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Making Democracy Work |
Making Democracy Work
ELECTIONS AND MONEY IN POLITICS
HB 1710 Pre-Clearance for Proposed Changes to Election Procedures.
Civil rights activists fought for our federal and state Voting Rights Acts, which ensure that voters of every race and background have an equal voice in our democracy. In 2013 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder removed “preclearance.” 13 years after this decision, the voter turnout gap between white and voters of color has increased and continues to increase.
The Washington Voting Rights Act (WVRA) was passed and signed into law in 2018 to protect voters in Washington independent of the federal law. This bill would amend the WVRA to include preclearance which requires certain local election officials to consult with the state attorney general’s office before making changes to election procedures that may violate the state’s Voting Rights Act prohibition against racial discrimination. Without preclearance, redressing violations to the state VRA requires lengthy and expensive litigation after the fact.
Supporting the League’s belief in fair elections, HB 1710 would allow our state to use preclearance to prevent racial discrimination in election procedures. This bill passed on the Floor of the House on Feb. 12 by 57/39. It was heard in the Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee, on Feb. 20 and will have an exec. session on Feb. 24.
⚠️ Contact State Government committee members HERE to ask them to vote FOR HB 1710 and pass it out of committee before Weds. Feb 24 at 12:30 pm.
HB 1750 Creating guidelines for voter suppression and vote dilution claims under the Washington voting rights act.
HB 1750 is related to HB 1710 and prohibits certain political subdivisions from implementing and enforcing any election policy or practice that may violate the Washington State Voting Rights Act’s prohibition against racial discrimination. This bill passed the House on Feb. 12 - 57/37. It had a public hearing in Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections on Feb 20 and it is scheduled for exec. session on Feb. 24 at 1:30 pm.
⚠️ Contact State Government committee members HERE to ask them to vote FOR HB 1750 and pass it out of committee.
LOCAL NEWS AND DEMOCRACY
SB 5400 A Substitute to Support Local News Journalism.
With a substitution by Sen. Rebecca Saldaña, SB 5400 technically remains viable this session as the bill is considered “Necessary to Implement the Budget,” meaning it would generate revenue that could be used to balance the budget.
SB 5400 would generate $27 million from a surcharge on social media platforms and search engines and be used as grants to support the hiring of reporters and editors at qualifying local news outlets.
Many Washington lawmakers have been quick to say publicly they value local news, but it’s been more difficult to ascertain where they stand on this piece of legislation. Last week, though, Saldaña sent her constituents a newsletter featuring a link to a Seattle Times story explaining her support for efforts to help rebuild local news in Washington.
“We rely on newspapers and journalists to help people have access to their democracy, understand what’s happening,” Saldaña told the paper.
Advocates note social media platforms and search engines take content from original producers of news without compensation and siphon off advertising dollars, contributing significantly to the local news crisis.
In the final weeks of the session, supporters are encouraged to continue to contact their senators to advocate for SB 5400, noting that the bill would not rely on state dollars or call for a tax on individuals or on any other businesses.
Supporters also note that the decline of local news is linked to reductions in voter turnout, fewer candidates seeking public office, increases in political polarization, reduced civic engagement, greater challenges to public health, and higher government costs
⚠️ Please send a message to your Senator HERE to say that you support SB 5400.
HB 1170 Informing Users When Content is Developed or Modified by Artificial Intelligence.
While New York and Massachusetts have passed legislation directed at regulating the use of artificial intelligence in the production of journalism, HB 1170 in Washington has a broader application.
It would require producers and modifiers of content for audiences of more than 1 million who employ artificial intelligence with audiences of more than 1 million to make available an AI detection tool and to identify AI-generated images, videos or audio recordings by way of a watermark or other means. Having passed the House on a 56-37 vote, it had a public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology last week and is scheduled for an executive session on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 1:30 pm.
HB 1170 would establish an important industry standard and begin to address AI’s negative potentials.
⚠️ Please send a message to your Senator HERE that you support HB 1170 and ask them to support it when it comes to them for a vote.
Environment
AGRICULTURE
SB 5971 Establishing a Green Fertilizer Incentive Program to Support the Production and Adoption of Low Carbon Nitrogen Fertilizer in Washington State.
This bill passed the Senate 48-0. Public Hearing Feb. 24 at 10:30 in House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee. Scheduled for executive session Feb. 25 at 8 am.
⚠️ Sign in PRO on SB 5971 HERE by Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 9:30 am.
CLIMATE CRISIS AND ENERGY
E2SHB 2251 Revisions to the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) Investment Accounts (Engrossed, Second Substitute House Bill).
The CCA generates revenue from the auction of allowances that our state’s largest polluters require to purchase as they release greenhouse gases (GHG) in their normal operations. The revenue is allocated by statute to achieve the intent and required CCA investment to reduce pollution overall, reduce pollution in overburdened communities, including Tribes, and to mitigate the environmental effects of climate change. The December forecast from the Department of Ecology shows how CCA revenue is expected to go down over time as fewer allowances are available to auction. Such reductions in allowances available and the revenue were in the structure of the comprehensive CCA as we drove down GHG pollution. To increase transparency of the allocations under the declining revenue, this bill redefines and renames the CCA accounts from which CCA investments are made. The allowed and intended CCA investments remain essentially the same. We can anticipate additional adjustment over the remaining life of the CCA as we approach mid-century. Scheduled for public hearing in Senate Ways & Means Feb. 24 at 4 pm.
⚠️ Sign in PRO on HB 2367 HERE by Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 3 pm.
WASTE DIVERSION
ESSB 5975/HB 2344 Providing consumer access to safe cookware and interstate and international trade certainty in the regulation of lead in cookware).
Led by Sen Harris and Rep. Low, this bill would roll-back provisions in recent law requiring lead-free cookware. STATUS: Passed the Senate (42-7); public hearing scheduled in the House Committee on Environment & Energy Monday, Feb. 23, at 1:30 pm
⚠️ Sign in CON on ESSB 5975 HERE by Monday, Feb. 23, at 12:30 pm.
2ESSB 5360 Environmental Crimes.
Championed by Sen. Trudeau this bill establishes new, and reclassifies existing, crimes for certain violations of the state Water Pollution Control Act, Clean Air Act, Hazardous Waste Management Act, and other specified environmental statutes. Repeals existing criminal penalty provisions in environmental statutes. Establishes a three-tiered system of crimes for certain violations of the state Water Pollution Control Act, Clean Air Act, Hazardous Waste Management Act (environmental statutes), with associated penalties and exemptions. Includes certain first- and second-degree felony violations of environmental statutes in the state sentencing grid, as seriousness level three and one offenses, respectively. The intention is to create meaningful accountability for entities that pollute water and air. STATUS: Rules suspended and it passed out of the Senate (27-22) on Feb. 17; scheduled for hearing in House Committee on Environment & Energy on Monday, Feb. 24, at 1:30 pm.
⚠️ Sign in PRO for 2ESSB 5360 HERE by Monday, Feb. 24, at 12:30 pm.
Social & Economic Policy
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
HB 1634 Providing school districts and public schools with assistance to coordinate comprehensive behavioral health supports for students.
The bill would establish a technical assistance and training network to provide school districts and public schools with the technical assistance, resources, and training necessary to coordinate comprehensive supports for their students. This is particularly important for smaller school districts. There is a public hearing scheduled in the Senate Committee Early Learning & K-12 Education on Feb. 24 at 8 am.
⚠️ Sign in PRO on HB 1634 HERE by Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 7 am.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
SB 5974 Local Law Enforcement.Modernizing and strengthening laws concerning sheriffs, police chiefs, town marshals, law enforcement agency volunteers, youth cadets, specially commissioned officers, and police matrons. Scheduled for public hearing in House Community Safety on Feb. 23 at 1:30 pm. Executive session scheduled for Feb. 24 at 4 pm.
⚠️ Sign in Pro on 2SSB 5974 HERE by Monday, Feb. 23 at 12:30 pm.
EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION
HB 2689 Concerning the working connections child care program.
Requested by the Office of Financial Management, HB 2689 implements cuts to Working Connections Child Care (WCCC). From July 1-Dec 31, 2026, DCYF must stop accepting new families into WCCC with exceptions for families served through child welfare. Jan 1, 2027, new entries may be accepted if WCCC is at or under 33,000 households based on priorities specified in the bill. Child care centers to be reimbursed for care at the subsidy base rate that achieves the 75th percentile of the market. Fiscal note: largely indeterminate. Referred to Appropriations Jan. 28. Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations on Feb. 26 at 1:30 pm.
⚠️ Sign in CON on HB 2689 HERE by Thursday, Feb. 26 at 12:30 pm.
HEALTHCARE
HB 2145/SB 5981 Protecting patient access to discounted medications and health care services through Washington's health care safety net by preventing manufacturer limitations on the 340B drug pricing program.
This bill would protect access to discounted medications and health care services by preventing manufacture limitations on the 340B drug pricing program. The 340B program requires drug manufacturers to offer discounts on outpatient medications to eligible providers that serve low-income and uninsured populations. It enables covered "entities to stretch scarce federal resources as far as possible, reaching more eligible patients and providing more comprehensive services" thus increasing access to care for vulnerable populations. E2SSB 5981 Passed Senate; Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness Feb. 20 at 8 am, Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness Feb. 25 at 1:30 pm.
⚠️ Comment in SUPPORT of SB 5981 HERE by Wednesday, February 25 at 12:30 pm.
SB 5947 Establishing the Washington health care board.
This bill would lay the groundwork for universal health care coverage in WA State. Creates and describes members of a Washington Health Care Board which shall design and implement the Washington health plan to provide for all medically necessary health care services for all residents of the state. It would take effect when a federal waiver to establish a state-based universal health care plan and to receive federal funding for that plan. ESB 5847 Passed Senate 30/19; referred to House Health Care & Wellness on Feb. 19.
⚠️ Comment in SUPPORT of SB 5947 HERE to your representatives to encourage consideration of this bill in House Health Care & Wellness prior to Feb 25.
SB 6183 Concerning coverage for HIV antiviral drugs.
This bill would require health plans to provide coverage for all federal food and drug administration approved HIV antiviral drugs without prior authorization, step therapy, or any other utilization management protocols. SSB 6183 Passed Senate; Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness Feb. 24 at 1:30 PM. Scheduled for Executive Session in the House on Feb. 25 at 1:30 PM.
⚠️ Sign in PRO on SB 6183 HERE by Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 12:30 pm.
IMMIGRANTS
Protecting Apple Health Expansion
Legislators are considering making cuts to Apple Health Expansion that helps about 9000 low-income immigrants in Washington. There are over 100,000 uninsured immigrants in the state, we do not need to add 9000 more. Remember, folks without health insurance wind up in the ER and we all pay (much more) for that. Please add your voice to protecting health insurance for immigrants.
⚠️ Send a message English HERE by Monday, Feb. 23 by 3 pm.
⚠️ Envie un mensaje en español AQUI antes de las 15h del 23 de febrero
HB 2464 Concerning reporting requirements and law enforcement responses for incidents at private detention facilities.
This bill would require private detention facilities to report all critical incidents to law enforcement agencies within 24 hours of the incident. The bill received a do pass by the House Committee on Community Safety, passed the House floor vote Feb.16. It has a public hearing in Senate Human Services, Feb. 23 at 1:30 pm.
⚠️ Sign in PRO on HB 2464 HERE by Monday, Feb. 23 at 12:30 pm.
SSB 5906 Establishing data and personal safety protections within areas of public accommodation for all Washington residents (The Secure and Accountable Federal Enforcement Act [the SAFE Act]).
The bill would protect sensitive areas such as schools, hospitals, daycares, and election offices from federal immigration operations. The substitute bill would strengthen definitions. The substitute bill passed was by Senate Ways & Means on Feb. 9. It passed the Senate in a floor vote Feb. 12. Public hearing in the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee Feb. 20, 10:30 am. Executive session scheduled for Feb. 25, 8 am.
⚠️Tell the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee HERE to vote PRO for SSB 5906.
REVENUE
SB 6346/HB 2724 Millionaires’ Tax.
An ACT Relating to investing in Washington families and businesses to fund K-12 education, health care, higher education, other essential governmental services, and the working families' tax credit, and to reduce certain sales and use taxes and certain business and occupation taxes by establishing a tax on millionaires.
To begin making the state’s tax structure more equitable and generate funding to help address the state’s budget problems, SB 6346/HB 2724, Millionaires' Tax, would establish a tax on incomes exceeding $1 million annually. The state’s revenue deficit is estimated at $2.3 billion annually, beginning in 2026. If passed, SB 6346 would generate significant additional revenue, estimated between $1-3 billion per biennium. It would only affect the very small percentage of the population with incomes high enough to be eligible for the tax. It would not affect more than 99.9% of the population.
The LWVWA has made SB 6346 a top priority because it affects all other proposals with any fiscal impact, and because it is consistent with the League position on taxes. Support action to obtain a balanced tax structure that is fair, adequate, flexible, and has a sound economic effect. The bill passed by the Senate, and now in the House, was changed very little from previous versions. It is scheduled for a hearing in the House Finance Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 8:00 am.
⚠️ Sign in PRO on SB 6346 HERE before Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 7:00 am.
⚠️ If you would prefer to send a message giving your reasons for supporting the bill, please use do so HERE.