Prepared by Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org  As was reported last week, the Washington State Legislature adjourned Sunday, April 23rd, closing the 105-day session with some significant gains, including increased funding for special education, investments from the Climate Commitment Act, and bills designed to prevent and mitigate gun violence. Governor Jay Inslee has until May 16th to sign…

Prepared by Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org  April 23rd was the final day of the 105-day 2023 legislative session. The operating budget Conference Committee released the biennial budget Saturday, April 22nd. The Senate and House are expected to approve the budget bills before adjourning sine die[1]. Here’s a quick overview of ESSB 5187, related to the bigger K-12…

Prepared by Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org  April 12th was the final day for bills to pass out of the opposite chamber, with just a few exceptions. On Thursday, House and Senate legislators turned their floor action attention to changes made in the opposite chamber. Agreed-to changes were marked and passed for concurrence, sending them along to…

Prepared by Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org  By a vote of 27-21 (and one excused), the Senate passed legislation that would prohibit the manufacture, importation, distribution, sale, or offer for sale, of any assault weapon, with a few exceptions, effective upon the governor’s signature. SHB 1240 passed Saturday afternoon after more than 22 amendments and three hours…

Prepared by Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org   House Democrats announced their 2023-25 operating budget on Monday, March 27, and the House Appropriations Committee immediately held a public hearing on the more than 1,200-page document that afternoon. Also released on the 27 was the bipartisan 2023-2025 capital budget.  Both budgets have some things in common with the Senate…

Each week, Marie Sullivan our Legislative Consultant puts together a list of bills and upcoming events that are associated with our legislative priorities. Reports are up-to-date as of the Sunday before the Legislative week begins. Week 15 – April 17 to April 21 (as of 4/16/23) *Days and times can be subject to change. Past…

Prepared by Marie Sullivan, legconsultant@wastatepta.org  Last week the Senate released a proposed 2023-25 capital budget on Monday, March 20th and a proposed 2023-25 operating budget on Thursday, March 23rd. The capital budget public hearing was the same day as the release, while a full day was provided to review the 1,240-page operating budget. That hearing,…