From LWVWA Legislative 2/23/25 newsletter:

Last Friday, February 21, any bill that had not passed the policy committee in the house of origin effectively died for this legislative session. The next cutoff date is for bills to pass the fiscal committees—House Appropriations and Senate Ways & Means—and the transportation committees. That is this coming Friday, February 28. You will see fewer action alerts in this newsletter’s weekly updates because of this timing.

Combat Falsified Petition Signatures. The current law requires that Initiative and Referendum petition signature gatherers swear that every petitioner signed their true name and correctly provided address and voluntarily signed without compensation. SB 5382, Petition Signature Gatherers Can be Charged With a Misdemeanor if They Falsify, makes it a misdemeanor to falsify signatures. These requirements align with similar requirements in many other states. An amendment passed that clarified the address verification process for people who recently moved. This bill passed the Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs and Elections Committee and now has a hearing in the Senate Ways & Means Committee at 1:30 pm on Monday, February 24. Sign in PRO on SB 5382 HERE before 12:30 pm on Monday, February 24.

Promote Transit-Oriented Housing Development. In order to maximize the return on investment in intermodal transportation, HB 1491, Promoting Transit-Oriented Housing Development, would support transit-oriented development that reflects the state’s commitment to affordable housing and vibrant, walkable, accessible urban environments that improve health, expand multimodal transportation options, and include varied community facilities, parks, and green spaces that are open to people of all income levels. It provides guidelines and for assistance to cities in achieving this type of development. This bill passed the House Housing Committee as a substitute and has been referred to the House Capital Budget Committee, where it is scheduled for public hearing at 9:00 am on February 25. Sign in PRO on HB 1491 HERE before 8:00 am on Tuesday, February 25.

Establish Intercity Passenger Rail Improvements. SB 5667 addresses long-standing neglect of the intercity rail system, which should be integral to the State’s transportation system. It sets targets for Amtrak service that include more frequent and reliable services and more reliable on-time service. These improvements are needed to support the state’s goals for climate, public health, equity, and mobility. More people would use the train if these standards were met. SB 5667 is scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Transportation Committee at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, February 25. Sign in PRO for SB 5667 HERE before 12:30 pm on Tuesday, February 25.

For additional action items, which help pass bills the League supports on specific issues, click on the see all action alerts, and take action on the ones you are most interested in.

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