From LWVWA 1-25-26 legislative newsletter:
The first cut-off for bills to be passed by policy committees is February 4. The reality is that bills need to have hearings this week and then be passed out of committee in executive session to have hope of moving forward. Bills that do not move out of policy committees by February 4 are effectively dead for this biennium. The exception is for bills necessary to implement the budget.
Priority Actions for week of January 26-30
Expand Revenue Generation and Economic Opportunities. Washington lawmakers are considering a bill that would give Washington’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) the legal authority to expand revenue generation to natural climate solutions and ecosystem services—such as carbon storage—rather than clearcut logging. HB 2170 (companion SB 5999), Expanding revenue generation and economic opportunities from natural climate solutions and ecosystem services, gives the DNR a better way to protect older forests—while generating revenue from ecosystem services instead of destroying them. HB 2170 has a public hearing in the House Agriculture & Natural Resources on January 28, at 8:00 am.
Sign in PRO on HB 2170 HERE by Wednesday, January 28 at 7:00 am.
Healthcare Financing. SB 6292, Establishing a joint legislative executive committee on health care financing, would convene state experts to develop recommendations and strategies to stabilize Washington’s health care system. This would include recommendations about ensuring access to care, and making health care premiums, health care services, and medications more affordable for the residents of Washington. This is necessary due to federal actions that undermine our health care system, which now must function with fewer resources while serving more patients. SB 6292 is scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Health & Long-Term Care on January 29 at 8:00 am.
Sign in PRO on SB 6292 HERE by Thursday, January 29 at 7:00 am.
Divest in Thermal Coal. SB 5439 Divestment of funds under management by the state investment board from thermal coal. Burning coal is the dirtiest way to produce electricity. It releases several carcinogenic toxins and pollutants including particulates. To avoid investing in the degradation of public health and the environment, this bill directs the state investment board to begin orderly divestment from coal-based energy industry, from mining to coal-fired electricity generation. SB 5439 is scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Ways & Means on January 29 at 4:00 pm.
Sign in PRO on SB 5439 HERE by Thursday, January 29 at 3:00 pm
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. Thank you for your support for the League’s issues! There are many more action alerts in this weeks legislative newsletter! Get the LWVWA Legislative newsletter delivered direct to you by subscribing here.