OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state legislators will convene in Olympia beginning Jan. 8 to push through bills relating to a wide array of topics.
Lawmakers have been pre-filing bills for consideration in front of the House and Senate since early December in hopes of pushing them through to a full vote before the last day of the regular session on March 7.
Here's a look at just some of what the state's 147 lawmakers are trying to pass this session.
Relating to the Climate Commitment Act
A group of Republican lawmakers have taken aim at the state's Climate Commitment Act which passed in 2021 and intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by setting an emissions cap, which the Department of Ecology will gradually lower over time. The state aims to incentivize companies to change their operations by requiring them to purchase the allowances to produce greenhouse gas emissions over the state cap, which are auctioned off by Ecology.
The act has generated $1.5 billion for the state, but has also been blamed for high gas and energy prices by some. A slate of bills targeting the act involve disclosing increased fees faced by customers due the cost of complying with the Climate Commitment Act and appropriating some of the funds collected by the state for specific uses.
SB 5877: AN ACT Relating to providing information about the costs of the climate commitment act to electricity and natural gas customers
This bill filed by Republican Sen. Phil Fortunato would require gas and utility companies to provide a complete, itemized listing on billing statements of charges that are being imposed by the electric utility to compensate for costs incurred by compliance with Washington's Climate Commitment Act.
SB 5826: AN ACT Relating to requiring customer charges to be listed on utility billing statements if the charges are a result of implementing the Washington climate commitment act
Similar to SB 5877, this bill put forward by Republican Sen. Drew MacEwan would require electrical and gas companies to list on billing statements all charges related to implementing the Climate Commitment Act.
HB 2050 - Concerning the posting of information about government policies that impact motor vehicle fuel price at fuel pumps.
This bill would require the Department of Agriculture to produce a sticker to be displayed on gas pumps that notifies customers of federal and state fuel tax rates. Put forward by District 12 Republican Rep. Keith Goehner and two colleagues, the sticker must list the rate of each tax in cents per gallon for each type of fuel.
The Department of Agriculture would also be required to provide notice of how the cost of compliance with the Climate Commitment Act impacted the fuel price, to be calculated annually. The bill provides guidance on how that amount should be calculated.
HB 1904: Using climate commitment act revenues to pay for hybrid electric ferries.
Republican Rep. Jim Walsh introduced this bill to allocate some funds generated by the Climate Commitment Act to be used for the costs of building a hybrid electric ferry fleet to replace the Washington State Department of Transportation's current supply of aging and dilapidated ships. The funds would be used to design, purchase and construct the new boats, as well as install the necessary infrastructure to operate them.
Firearm purchasing, transfer and safety
Washington state rarely goes a legislative session without a bill relating to gun control, with the state touting some of the most restrictive gun safety laws in the nation.
Two bills pre-filed this session aim to further flesh-out Washington's regulations on firearms.
HB 1902: Relating to enhancing requirements for the purchase or transfer of firearms by requiring a permit to purchase firearms, specifying standards for firearms safety training programs, and specifying circumstances where a firearm transfer may be delayed
Sponsored by a host of Democratic representatives, HB 1902 would require those seeking to buy firearms to have a valid permit to do so after completing a gun-safety program which complies with requirements to be developed by the Washington State Patrol. It would also prevent gun dealers from transferring firearms to purchasers who have active warrants, or are involved with the justice system in one of a variety of ways. Dealers would be required to run a background check on the purchaser to ensure they are eligible to purchase a firearm.
HB 1903: AN ACT Relating to reporting lost or stolen firearms
This act would require a person who has either lost or suffered a theft of a firearm to report the facts and circumstances to their local law enforcement agency within 24 hours of discovering it. They must provide the make, model, manufacturer and serial number of the gun, any other distinguishing number or identification mark, and the circumstances of the loss or theft. The law enforcement agency will provide that information to a national crime information center database.
Gun owners who fail to report losses or thefts would be subject to a maximum and default penalty of $1,000.
Concerning education
With many schools still grappling with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on students, several bills aim to address students' performance, health and preparedness for life after high school.
HB 2018 - Improving student outcomes by restricting mobile device use by public school students.
This bill directs the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to take the further steps in limiting students use of and access to cell phones while in school. The bill text cites that phones are "a constant distraction" to students, negatively affect performance and have demonstrably negative impacts on teens' mental health.
OSPI would be required to study policies and procedures intended to limit student use of mobile devices during school hours and establish a two-year pilot program to study the effectiveness of different strategies designed for that purpose.
HB 1915: Making financial education instruction a graduation prerequisite and a required component of public education.
This bill would make a half-credit of personal finance knowledge a requirement for students to graduate from high school beginning with the graduating class of 2029. The bill specifies that the requirement must not increase the total number of credits that the state requires of graduating students.
HB 1922: Establishing a grant program for the purchase and installation of vape detectors in public schools.
This bill would provide money for OSPI to distribute to schools to fund the purchase and installation of vape detectors. Schools would also be required to identify available resources or programs to educate kids and teens about the negative health impacts of vaping.
Regulating AI
Citing insufficient action by the federal government to regulate AI and some of its associated technologies, multiple bills are tightening restrictions in the state in how the technology can be used and setting penalties for when people, or organizations, misuse it.
HB 1934: AN ACT Relating to establishing an artificial intelligence task force; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date
A bi-partisan effort by Washington lawmakers and the Washington state Attorney General's Office (AG), the task force would identify the potential benefits and risks of artificial intelligence technology and provide recommendations to the governor's office by 2025.
Recommendations would relate to standards for use and regulations of generative artificial intelligence systems in order to protect residents' privacy, safety, civil and intellectual property rights.
HB 1951: AN ACT Relating to promoting ethical artificial intelligence by protecting against algorithmic discrimination
This act would attempt to mitigate "algorithmic discrimination" which may be inherent in AI programs that help agencies or organizations make decisions which could prove to be consequential to the lives of Washington residents of all ages.
The law would regulate the use of AI in specific decision making processes, for example when making decisions related to hiring or termination, education and vocational training, admissions, financial aid or scholarships, housing or lodging, rental or short-term housing, utilities, internet or telecommunications access, transportation, family planning and adoption services, assessments by CPS, healthcare, health insurance, mental healthcare, dental or vision, financial services, voting and criminal justice proceedings.
HB 1999: Concerning fabricated intimate or sexually explicit images and depictions.
This bill would modify current Washington state law to set penalties for developing, duplicating or distributing "fabricated depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct" - a practice also known as "deep faking" which uses AI to superimpose a person's face onto a picture or video. The law classifies the offense as a class B felony for people over the age of 18, and a gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor for minors.
A Smokey Bear license plate to support wildland firefighters
HB 2108 and SB 5910: AN ACT Relating to creating the state department of natural resources' Smokey Bear special license plates
In a campaign spearheaded by Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz alongside several state lawmakers, these joint bills aim to establish a Smokey Bear license plate in the state of Washington. The proceeds from the special plate will go toward wildfire prevention and a program to support wildland firefighters. The Department of Natural Resources said the money will help support their efforts to reduce the number of wildfires started by humans every year.
The plates will also help raise public awareness of wildfire prevention, supporters say.
Permanent Daylight Saving Time? No - permanent Pacific Standard Time
SB 5795 - AN ACT Relating to exempting the state of Washington from daylight saving time by implementing year-round Pacific standard time
Years ago, Washington state passed a law permanently opting in to Daylight Savings Time. However, the "Saving Sunshine Act," which would give Washington and several other states who have passed similar laws the official go-ahead, has languished in Congress for years.
Taking a different approach, Republican Sen Mike Padden and Democratic Senator Manka Dhingra are proposing utilizing existing federal guidelines which would allow Washington state to remain on Pacific Standard Time permanently. The bill cites the well-documented negative health impacts associated with the switch to Daylight Saving Time as justification for the state to explore moving in the opposite direction.
Restitution for killing or disabling a minor child's parent in a DUI crash
SB 5841: Requiring individuals convicted of offenses related to driving under the influence to pay financial support to minor children and dependents when the offense results in the death or disability of a parent.
Put forward by Democratic Sen. John Lovick, this bill would give courts the authority to require those who have killed or disabled the parent of a minor child to provide financial support for each child or dependent until they reach 18 years of age.
Removing residency requirements for professional licenses
HB 1889 - AN ACT Relating to allowing persons to receive professional licenses and certifications regardless of immigration or citizenship status
This bill would remove proof-of-residency requirements for people to apply for a number of professional licenses and certifications which are regulated by the state. Provided applicants have met all other requirements, they may provide an individual taxpayer identification number as opposed to a social security number.
Housing support for young adults exiting inpatient behavioral health treatment
HB: 1929: Providing transitional housing support for young adults exiting inpatient behavioral health treatment
The bill text cites data showing young people exiting inpatient behavioral health treatment are the largest demographic of people who become homeless within three to 12 months within exiting publicly funded systems of care.
Money allocated by this bull would create a post-inpatient housing program for young adults between 18 and 24 who do not have long-term housing.