Washington State Legislative Session 2024 Overview
The 2024 Washington State Legislative Session overview highlights the biennium operations, session themes, initiatives, potential additional initiatives, and general observations. It provides insights into the legislative processes, key agendas, and significant developments during the session.
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2024 Washington State 2024 Washington State Legislative Session Legislative Session Rainier Beach Community Center May 8, 2024 John Stafford
Agenda Agenda OVERVIEW BUDGETS BILLS EVALUATIONS
Overview Overview The Legislature Operates on a Biennium Basis Odd Years = Long Session (105 Days): Create Three Budgets and Pass Bills Even Years = Short Session (60 Days): Tweak The Budgets and Pass Bills Washington is One of 17 States With a Democratic Trifecta Governor Senate: 29-20 House: 58-40 Roughly 1,200 Bills Filed; Less Than Half Became Law
Pre Pre- -Session Themes Session Themes Mental Health/Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention Housing and Homelessness Environment Policing Ferry System Source: Crosscut
6 Initiatives to the Legislature 6 Initiatives to the Legislature ( Let s Go Washington ( Let s Go Washington Brian Heywood PASSED LEGISLATURE DURING 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION Brian Heywood) ) Preclude Income Tax at Any Level of State Government in the Future (I-2111) Allow More Police Pursuits (I-2113) Allow Parents to Review K-12 Curriculum and Be Notified of Child s Medical Care (I-2081) GOING TO NOVEMBER BALLOT Repeal Washington State s 2023 Capital Gains Tax (I-2109) Repeal Carbon Tax (Climate Commitment Act) (I-2117) Allow Opt-Out of State s Long Term Care Tax (I-2124)
3 Potential Additional Initiatives 3 Potential Additional Initiatives (Jim Walsh (Jim Walsh Chair of State GOP) Chair of State GOP) Immigration: Repeal Washington State Status as Sanctuary City Squatters: Illegalize Occupation of Land by Someone Without a Lease Natural Gas Hookup
General Observations on 2024 Legislative Session General Observations on 2024 Legislative Session Massive Impact of the Brian Heywood Initiatives Places Democratic Majority in Defensive Mode Few (If Any) Major Bills Passed Instead, a Session Focused on Incremental Change At Odds with Recent History Republican Victory
Agenda Agenda OVERVIEW BUDGETS BILLS EVALUATIONS
The Three State Budgets The Three State Budgets OPERATING BUDGET 2024: $71.8 Billion 2023: $69.8 Billion TRANSPORTATION BUDGET 2024: $14.6 Billion 2023: $13.6 Billion CAPITAL BUDGET 2024: $10.2 Billion 2023: $8.9 Billion
WASHINGTON STATE TAXATION TAXES PER $1,000 OF PERSONAL INCOME TAXES PER CAPITA TAXES PER CAPITA Source: Washington State Office of Financial Management
Agenda Agenda OVERVIEW BUDGETS BILLS EVALUATIONS
Taxation Taxation PROPERTY TAXES: Allow cities and counties to raise property taxes at higher rates (3% versus the current 1% limit) without voter approval. FAILED (SB 5770) PROPERTY TAXES FOR HOUSING: Tax real estate sales of over $3 million, with proceeds funding affordable housing. FAILED (HB 2276) KING COUNTY TAXES: Allow King County to use new levies to fund existing services, if approved by voters. PASSED (HB 2044) GIFT CARDS: Require unspent gift card balances to be transferred to the state after three years. FAILED (HB 2095)
Transportation Transportation FERRY SYSTEM: Create a work group to study the Washington State Ferry System its value to the state and proposals for long term viability. FAILED (HB 2497) HYBRID DIESEL/ELECTRIC FERRIES: Funding to convert two ferries from diesel to hybrid (with near-total fleet conversion expected by 2040). PASSED VIA BUDGET SCHOOL BUSES: Require and fund electric school buses. PASSED (HB 1368) COLUMBIA RIVER BRIDGE CROSSING (CRC): Roughly $275 million in both Senate and House Transportation Budget for the Columbia River Crossing. PASSED VIA BUDGET
Education Education SPECIAL EDUCATION: Increase funding for special education by raising the special education student enrollment cap from 15% to 17.25%. PASSED (HB 2180) PARAEDUCATORS: Increase funding for hiring additional paraeducators in K-12 schools. PASSED (SB 5882) SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION FINANCING: Issue low or no-interest loans to qualifying school districts to help with school construction. FAILED (SB 5344)
Health Care Health Care HOSPITAL CONSOLIDATION: Bill to increase oversight of hospital mergers. Intended to address two issues: religious care issues (e.g., reproductive care, end of life care, gender affirming care), and private ownership of health care systems (e.g., private equity). FAILED (SB 5241) HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE: Bills to create certificates for MRI technicians and Emergency Medical Technicians to retain health care workers. PASSED (HB 2355) HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE: More funding for physician residency programs in the hopes of keeping physicians in-state after graduation. PASSED VIA BUDGET PHYSICIAN REIMBURSEMENT RATES: Increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for physicians working outside of hospitals. FAILED MATERNAL HEALTH CARE: Provides funding for Doula maternal health care services for low-income women (as part of state s Medicaid bill). PASSED (ESSB 5950) INSULIN: Allows individuals to receive one 30-day emergency supply of insulin per year. FAILED (SB 5776)
Environment Environment LEAD REDUCTION: Ban lead in pots and pans. PASSED (HB 5601) PLASTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT: The Wrap Act -- require companies that produce plastic wrapping to manage their discarded plastic pollution rather than rely on public waste management systems. FAILED (HB 2049) RECYCLING: Require packaging companies to use more recycled material. FAILED (HB 1900) RECYCLING: Establish a bottle deposit program. FAILED (HB 2144) ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: The Cumulative Risk Burden Act --require an analysis of cumulative environmental burdens on communities prior to passing development bills that will increase the burden. FAILED (HB 2070)
Climate Change Climate Change CARBON MARKET: Allows Washington State to join the California-Quebec Joint Carbon Pricing Market. PASSED (HB 6058) DEBARBONIZATION OF PUGET SOUND ENERGY: Facilitate the decarbonization of PSE, in part by limiting natural gas hookups. PASSED (HB 1589) PROMOTING THERMAL HEATING NETWORKS: Bill to promote thermal energy (heating and cooling) networks. PASSED (HB 2131) GASOLINE PRICE ANALYSIS: Create new department to analyze and oversee gas prices charged by refineries. FAILED (SB 6052) GASOLINE REBATES: Pay rebates of $200/year to lower income families for gasoline price increases due to the Climate Commitment Act. FAILED (HB 2040) NUCLEAR ENERGY: Calls for state officials to inform government if/when nuclear energy should be returned as part of the mix in Washington State. PASSED (HB 1924)
Artificial Intelligence Artificial Intelligence Note: Over 400 Bills on AI Introduced in 40 States in 2024 Legislative Sessions. CODIFY REGULATIONS: Create committee to establish regulations for generative intelligence. PASSED (EXECUTIVE ORDER) TASKFORCE: Create an AI taskforce to establish guidelines for policy. PASSED (SB 5838) IMAGES: Allow individuals whose faces are placed on deep-fake pornographic images to sue for damages. PASSED (HB 1999) IMAGES: Allow individuals whose faces are placed on deep-fake pornographic images to sue for damages. PASSED (HB 1999) WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION: Prevent algorithmic discrimination in hiring. FAILED (HB 1951) WORKLACE PROTECTIONS: Require individuals to seek official consent from individuals to use their voices, and other workplace protections. FAILED (SB 6299)
Drug Use Drug Use BIOMETRIC IDENTITY CHECKS: Bill to allow use of biometric markers to confirm age to buy alcohol. FAILED (SB 6179) OVERDOSE REDUCTION CAMPAIGN: Establish statewide campaign to reduce overdoses. PASSED (HB 1956) FENTANYL TREATMENT: $200 million in the Operating Budget for fentanyl treatment. PASSED TRIBES: Provide funding to tribes to combat opioid use. PASSED (SB 6099) ALCOHOL LIMITS: Lower the legal limit for blood alcohol while driving from 0.08 to 0.05. FAILED (SB 5002) SENTENCE REDUCTION: Allow judges to review and possibly shorten lengthy and/or life prison sentences. FAILED (HB 2001) ALTERNATIVE SENTENCING: Dismiss some misdemeanor cases if defendant fulfills conditions such as mental health and/or substance abuse treatment requirements. FAILED (HB 1994)
Gun Control Gun Control PUBLIC AREAS: Restricts gun possession in select public areas (e.g., libraries, zoos, transit stops). PASSED (SB 5444) REPORTING: Establishes civil penalty for failing to report lost or stolen gun within 24 hours. PASSED (HB 1903) GUN DEALER LIABILITY: Gun dealers must hold $1 Million in liability insurance. PASSED (HB 2118) FIREARM SEIZURES: Bill to manage civil seizures and forfeitures of property seized by the police. FAILED (HB 1385)
Criminal Justice Criminal Justice HOTLINE: Create non-police intervention hotline in state for hate crime and bias incidents. PASSED (SB 5427) INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS: Create office in State Attorney Generals Office that would facilitate independent prosecutions of state use-of-force. FAILED (HB 1579) RESENTENCING: Allowing individuals serving sentences for crimes committed as juveniles to be resentenced to lower term. FAILED (HB 2065) HATE CRIME: Expands hate crime law to include bias based desecration of public property. PASSED (SB 5917) HOG TYING: Bill precluding hog-tying by police. PASSED (SB 6009) TRAFFIC CAMERAS: Bill to expand use of traffic cameras. PASSED (HB 2384)
Housing/Homelessness (1 of 2) Housing/Homelessness (1 of 2) TAX POLICY: Lowers taxes for property sales below $3 million, and increases taxes for property sales above $3 million. FAILED (HB 2276) TAX POLICY: Encourage development and preservation of housing (or rental housing). FAILED (SB 6136) AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONVERSIONS: Bill allows a sales and use tax deferral for the conversion of a commercial building to affordable housing. PASSED (SB 6175) ZONING: Makes it easier to split residential lots. FAILED (SB 1245) RENT CONTROL: Limits annual rent increases. FAILED (HB 2114) QUOTAS: Require municipalities to build adequate housing and shelter. FAILED (HB 2474) TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT: Promote transit oriented development. FAILED (HB 2160)
Housing/Homelessness (2 of 2) Housing/Homelessness (2 of 2) INTERIM HOUSING: Provides interim housing for young people immediately upon discharge from inpatient care for behavioral health crisis. PASSED (SHB 1929) MEASUREMENT: Require select counties to measure the gap between current, projected, and required housing. FAILED (SB 6152) AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Penalize cities that do not approve applications for transitional housing or shelters. FAILED (HB 2474) VOUCHERS: Create housing gap vouchers for more affordable housing. FAILED (HB 2453) CREDIT SCORES: Bill to help renters improve credit scores by using on-time rental payments to improve credit scores. FAILED (SB 6112) ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS: Allows ADUs in rural areas. FAILED (HB 2126)
Immigration Immigration HEALTH CARE BENEFITS FOR UNDOCUMENTED RESIDENTS: Funding added to reduce health insurance costs for immigrants (and an expansion of Apple Health to do the same). Washington State applied for a waiver (approved) to allow undocumented workers to purchase private health insurance. PASSED VIA BUDGET ASYLUM SEEKERS: Budget addition of $25 million in support of asylum seekers. PASSED VIA BUDGET LICENSES: Prevent state from denying a license to undocumented individuals in most cases. PASSED (HB 1889) DACA INDIVIDUALS: Requires state agencies to list on their websites which state services are available for DACA individuals. FAILED (SB 5631)
Elections and Issues of Polarization Elections and Issues of Polarization CLOSING LIBRARIES: Legislation to make it more difficult to close/dissolve libraries. PASSED (SB 5824) ELECTIONS: Make it a felony to harass/threaten election workers in Washington State. PASSED (HB 1241) LIMITS ON ADVOCATING FOR IDEOLOGY: Bar employers from firing or disciplining workers who refuse to go to meetings where they are required to listen to an employer s political or religious views. PASSED (SB 5778) ELECTIONS: Allows cities to move elections from odd years to even years to increase voter turnout. FAILED (HB 1932) ELECTIONS: Establish standards for ranked choice voting if/where it is implemented. FAILED (HB 2250)
Other Other CHILD CARE: Expand access to state s Working Connections Child Care Program. PASSED (HB 2124) CLERGY CHILD ABUSE: Require mandatory reporting of child abuse via confession in Catholic Church. FAILED (SB 6298) CANNABIS: Allow people to grow up to 4 cannabis plants at home. FAILED (HB 2194) CHILD MARRIAGE: Eliminate child marriage. PASSED (HB 1455) PENSIONS: Provide pension via automated savings for people that don t receive it via their employer. PASSED (SB 6069) STRIKING WORKERS: Enables striking workers to obtain unemployment benefits. FAILED (SB 5777) ADULT ENTERTAINMENT WORKERS: Provides protections for adult entertainment workers. PASSED (SB 6105)
Agenda Agenda OVERVIEW BUDGETS BILLS EVALUATIONS
Commentary on Legislative Session Commentary on Legislative Session Initiatives overshadowed the session. -- The Washington State Standard Will this finally be the year for a Republican Revival in Washington State That s suddenly the question of the hour as the Democrats stumbled and bumbled their way through a state legislative session in Olympia that somehow granted big victories to the party with no power. Danny Westneat, Seattle Times, March 10, 2024. It s an enormous win for us. The Democrats were forced to grit their teeth and vote in three out of the six conservative initiatives, including undoing one of their own police reforms as well as banning state income taxes. John Braun Democrats totally lost the plot. Huge failure by Dems. Democratic Activist and Organizer. Good bills being fed into a legislative woodchipper. -- Fuse
The November 2024 Elections The November 2024 Elections Governor s Race (Jay Inslee Retiring) Multiple State Legislator Retirements Three Brian Heywood Initiatives Will Be on the Ballot Possibility that Three Jim Walsh Initiatives Will Also Be on the Ballot Presidential Election
