From LWVWA 3/9/25 Legislative newsletter:
Since the fiscal committee cutoff on February 28, the House and Senate have been busy moving bills from their respective Rules Committees to the floor for votes and passing legislation for the opposite chamber to consider. The cutoff for floor action is this week, March 12.
In the weekly updates for this week, you will see a number of bills that are listed as “in Rules Committee, 2nd reading”. These are the ones that will presumably be voted on between Monday and Wednesday this week. Our updates can’t anticipate which ones will be moved ahead, so next week’s updates will give the new status for those bills.
PRIORITY ACTIONS
SB 5077 Automatic Voter Registration Expansion. Expands WA’s Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) system to other state agencies that have the ability to confirm citizenship such at the Health Benefit Exchange, Naturalization agencies, and the Department of Corrections. AVR lowers barriers to registration, streamlines voter registration updates, and increases the accuracy of voter roll information. This bill passed the Senate on February 12. The bill has been scheduled for a public hearing in the House State Govt and Tribal Relations Committee on Friday, March 14 at 8:00.Sign in PRO on SB 5077 HERE by 7:00 am on Friday March 14.
HB 1710 Adds preclearance to the Washington Voting Rights Act of 2018. This bill will require that certain local governments that wish to change their voting policies to vet those changes with the Attorney General office or the Thurston County Superior Court to ensure the changes do not impact the ability for anyone to elect candidates of their preference. When our election processes receive a review from the Attorney General before being implemented, we can prevent negative impacts to a Washingtonian’s power to vote. This bill was passed out of the Appropriations Committee on February 26 and is now in the Rules Committee. Tell your Representative to
vote in support of HB 1710 HERE.
SB 5684 Concerning prohibitions on electioneering within buildings containing the division of elections for county auditor offices, including any adjacent county owned and operated parking lots routinely used for parking at the buildings. Expands the location where a person may not influence or interfere with a voter to the building that contains the division of elections for a county auditor’s office and any adjacent parking lot. Passed 5:4 Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections on February 18 and is now in Rules Committee. Contact your Senator to vote in favor of this bill; Comment in support of SB 5684 HERE and ask them to pass it.
Support Vibrant Communities. 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 as a third substitute and has been referred to the Senate Housing Committee, where it has a public hearing at 10:30 am on Friday, March 14. Sign in PRO for HB 1491 HERE before 9:30 am on Friday, March 14.
Increase Access to Behavioral Health Treatment. Currently, there are not enough psychiatrists and other prescribing professionals to adequately serve the mental health needs of Washingtonians. SB 5112, Establishing a Prescribing Psychologist Certification in Washington State, would help to alleviate the shortage of psychiatrists in Washington State. Patients go without treatment or have long wait times for an initial appointment resulting in worsening of their conditions and unnecessary suffering. These shortages are most critical in rural areas and among disadvantaged and minority populations. Increasing the workforce by allowing specially trained psychologists to prescribe medication would increase access to care. See more information about this bill from NAMI Washington and the Washington State Psychological Association here. Write to your Senator HERE and tell them to bring this bill to a floor vote—and VOTE YES by March 12.
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.
There are many more action alerts in this weeks legislative newsletter! Get the LWVWA Legislative newsletter delivered direct to you by subscribing here.