Repository update

Hey, y'all. I've been battling a nasty, nasty cold the past several days, but I should be able to resume breaking news alerts today, and Political Bulletins tomorrow!

I'm just one gal, thanks for your patience :) 

BREAKING: State of the Union set for 4 March

 Today, US House Speaker Mike Johnson invited the President to deliver the first State of the Union address of his new term on 4 March 2025, before a Joint Session of the House & Senate.

The President speaks on the House rostrum, (usually) in front of the Vice President (as President of the Senate) and the Speaker of the House.

Most Members of Congress attend, as do most Supreme Court Justices, members of the President's Cabinet, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The First Lady also attends, along with guests invited by the President, the First Lady, the Vice President, and members of Congress.

The Constitution requires the President to send an annual message to the Congress on the state of the union, and every address since 1981 has been a spoken address.

This will be the latest date for a State of the Union address by this particular President, but earlier than last year's, which was 7 March 2024.

BREAKING: Senate confirms Noem as Homeland Security Secretary

The Senate has just voted to confirm South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security. The 51st vote was Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana.

Once considered the far-and-away contender to be the President's VP nominee in 2024, her prospects fizzled out after an excerpt from her book No Going Back revealed she had executed a young family dog after it had failed to show promise as a hunting dog.

Noem has served as Governor since 2019. Previous service includes as a Member of the US House from 2011 to 2019, and as a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011.

A native of Watertown, Noem and her husband Bryon have three children.

Noem is required to resign office as governor, at which time the Lt. Governor, Larry Rhoden, will assume office as governor.

 

BREAKING: Vance breaks tie, confirms Hegseth as SECDEF

The United States Senate, tied 50-50, confirmed former Fox News host Peter Hegseth as Secretary of Defense. 3 Republicans (Murkowski, Collins, and McConnell) voted no.

A native of Minnesota, Hegseth lives in Tennessee. He has not served in public office before, but served in the US Army Reserve from 2003-2014, and from 2019-2021, leaving as a Major.

Hegseth is married and has seven children.

More from NPR: Hegseth confirmed as SECDEF (NPR)

Politics Bulletin: 24 January 2025

 Seattle City Council

Governance, Accountability, & Economic Development, 9:30 a.m.

Chair: Sara Nelson (Citywide)

Vice Chair: Robert Kettle (7, Downtown/Belltown/Queen Anne)

Members: Joy Hollingsworth (3, Central), Maritza Rivera (4, Northeast), Rob Saka (1, Southwest)

SPECIAL MEETING

On the agenda:

1. Briefing: C.B. 120933 (Residential uses in the Stadium Transition Area Overlay District, by CM Sara Nelson (President, Citywide).

King County Council

No meetings today.

Washington House of Representatives

The House meets in pro forma session at 9:55.

Committee Meetings

Consumer Protections & Business, 8:00 a.m.

Chair: Walen

Ranking Member: McClintock

Seattle Members: Berry, Hackney (vice chair), Ryu, Santos, 

King County Members: Kloba, Reeves, Steele, Walen (chair)

On the agenda:

1. Briefing: The Consumer Protection Act
2. H.B. 1199 (Increasing insurer accountability for violations of the Insurance Code, by Rep. Taylor, by request of the Insurance Commissioner.)
3. H.B. 1230 (Requiring that experience-rated group disability income insurers include all applicable rating factors and credibility formulas in rate manual filings with the Insurance Commissioner, by Rep. Hackney.)

Healthcare & Wellness, 8:00 a.m.

Chair: Bronoske

Ranking Member: Schmick

Seattle Members: Davis, Macri

King County Member: Low, Obras, Thai

On the agenda:

1. H.B. 1077 (Raising awareness of pain control options for intrauterine device placement and removal, by Rep. Walen.)
2. H.B. 1186 (Expanding the situations in which medications can be dispensed or delivered from hospitals and healthcare entities, by Rep. Parshley.)

Following the public hearing, the committee will proceed to executive session for the purposes of considering the following four bills. The bills may be voted out of committee.

1. H.B. 1129 (Concerning health plan coverage of fertility-related services, by Rep. Stonier.)
2. H.B. 1190 (Allowing additional health professions to access the University of Washington Health Sciences Library, by Rep. Marshall.)
3. H.B. 1234 (Concerning the Mental Health Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapists, & Social Workers Advisory Committee, by Rep. Simmons.)
4. H.B. 1238 (Creating an Advisory Council on Rare Diseases, by Rep. Low.)

Postsecondary Education & Workforce, 8:00 a.m.

CANCELLED.

More information:

Rep. Dave Paul, Chairman

(360) 786-7914 / 1 (800) 562-6000

State Government & Tribal Relations, 8:00 a.m.

CANCELLED.

More information:

Rep. Sharlett Mena, chairwoman

(360) 786-7996 / 1 (800) 562-6000

Early Learning & Human Services, 9:00 a.m.

Chair: Bergquist

Ranking Member: Eslick

Seattle Members: Bergquist (chair)

King County Members: Burnett (asst. ranking member), Eslick (ranking member), Goodman, Penner, Taylor

On the agenda:

The committee will be in executive session today, to consider the following bills. One or multiple bills may be voted out of committee.

1. H.B. 1028 (Addressing child exposure to violence, by Rep. Goodman.)
2. H.B. 1243 (Addressing the burden of unintentional overpayments on older adults and adults with disabilities served by the Dept. of Social & Health Services, by Rep. Simmons, by request of the Dept. of Social & Health Services.)
3. H.B. 1272 (Extending a program to address complex cases of children in crisis, by Rep. Callan.)

Agriculture & Natural Resources, 10:30 a.m.

Chair: Reeves

Ranking Member: Dent

Seattle Members: none

King County Members: Reeves (chair), Springer

On the agenda:

Three briefings:

1. Water 101
2. Water Conditions & Climate Change
3. Water Priorities by topic & jurisdiction
1. Tribal, local government, agricultural, salmon.

Civil Rights & Judiciary, 10:30 a.m.

Chair: Taylor

Ranking Member: Walsh

Seattle Members: Farivar (vice chair)

King County Members: Burnett, Entenman, Goodman, Salahuddin, Taylor (chair), Thai, Walen

On the agenda:

1. H.B. 1163 (Enhancing requirements relating to the purchase, transfer, and possession of firearms, by Rep. Berry.)
2. H.B. 1132 (Limiting bulk purchases and transfers of firearms and ammunition, by Rep. Farivar.)
3. H.B. 1152 (Establishing secure storage requirements for firearms in vehicles and residences, by Rep. Doglio.)
4. H.B. 1118 (Concerning restoration of the right to possess a firearm, by Rep. Simmons.)
5. H.B. 1007 (Concerning requisites of notice in small claims actions, by Rep. Low.)

Labour & Workplace Standards, 10:30 a.m.

CANCELLED.

More information:

Rep. Liz Berry, chairwoman

(360) 786-7860 / 1 (800) 562-6000

Local Government, 10:30 a.m.

Chair: Duerr

Ranking Member: Klicker

Seattle Members: none

King County Members: Duerr (chair), Hunt, Zahn 

On the agenda:

The committee may meet for executive session. If it does, the committee will consider the following six bills, and may vote some or all of them out of committee.

1. H.B. 1054 (Concerning county ferry maintenance and repair contracts, by Rep. Leavitt.)
2. H.B. 1015 (Concerning energy labeling of residential buildings, by Rep. Duerr.)
3. H.B. 1212 (Concerning the siting of childcare centers, by Rep. Duerr.)
4. H.B. 1183 (Concerning building code and development regulation reform, by Rep. Duerr.)
5. H.B. 1175 (Allowing small business establishments in residential zones, by Rep. Klicker.)
6. H.B. 1037 (Concerning formation of Public Facility Districts, by Rep. Dent.)

Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans, 10:30 a.m.

Chair: Ryu

Ranking Member: Barnard

Seattle Members: Ryu (chair), Thomas

King County Members: Kloba (vice chair), Penner

On the agenda:

1. H.B. 1271 (Permitting early deployment of State Fire Service resources, by Rep. Nance.)
2. H.B. 1360 (Concerning advancement of quantum economic development, by Rep. Ryu.)

Washington Senate

The Senate meets in pro forma session at 12:30 p.m.

Committee Meetings

Health & Long-Term Care, 8:00 a.m.

Chair: Cleveland

Ranking Member: Muzzall

Seattle Members: none

King County Members: Orwall (vice chair), Slatter

On the agenda:

1. Briefing: Healthcare quality
2. S.B. 5228 (Updating the Governor's Interagency Coordinating Council on Health Disparities, by Sen. Riccelli.)
3. S.B. 5258 (Implementing State Auditor recommendations for reducing improper Medicaid concurrent enrollment payments, by Sen. Gildon.)
4. S.B. 5121 (Concerning health plan coverage of fertility-related services, by Sen. Frame.)

Following the public hearing, the committee will proceed to executive session to consider the following three bills and may vote some or all out of committee.

1. S.B. 5051 (Consolidating regulatory authority for nursing assistants, by Sen. Bateman, by request of the State Board of Nursing.)
2. S.B. 5239 (Concerning the retention of hospital medical records, by Sen. Slatter.)
3. S.B. 5244 (Providing an exemption for Women, Infants, & Children Program staff to perform hematological screening tests, by Sen. Riccelli, by request of the Dept. of Health.)

Labour & Commerce, 8:00 a.m.

Chair: Saldaña

Ranking Member: King

Seattle Members: Alvarado, Saldaña (chair)

King County Members: Ramos

On the agenda:

1. S.B. 5039 (Removing the exclusion from interest arbitration of Washington management service employees at the Dept. of Corrections, by Sen. Conway.)
2. S.B. 5040 (Expanding the definition of "uniformed personnel" to all law enforcement officers employed by a city, town, or county, by Sen. Stanford.)
3. S.B. 5044 (Allowing collective bargaining over contributions for certain supplemental retirement benefits, by Sen. Ramos.)
4. S.B. 5054 (Providing tax exemption for the first 20,000 gallons of wine sold by a winery in Washington, by Sen. Warnick.)
5. S.B. 5061 (Requiring certain wages in public works contracts to be at least the prevailing wage in effect when the work is performed, by Sen. Conway.)

Following the public hearing, the committee will proceed to executive session to consider S.B. 5191 (Concerning Paid Family Leave premium collection for dockworkers, by Sen. Conway), and may vote to pass it out of committee.

Environment, Energy, & Technology, 10:30 a.m.

Chair: Shewmake

Ranking Member: Boehnke

Seattle Members: none

King County Members: Dhingra, Ramos, Slatter (vice chair), Wellman

On the agenda:

1. S.B. 5036 (Transitioning to annual reporting of statewide emissions data, by Sen. Boehnke.)
2. S.B. 5236 (Concerning emission of greenhouse gases used for anesthetic purposes, by Sen. Slatter.)
3. S.B. 5174 (Concerning wood burning devices, by Sen. Shewmake, by request of the Dept. of Ecology.)
4. S.B. 5360 (Concerning environmental crimes, by Sen. Trudeau.)

Housing, 10:30 a.m.

Chair: Bateman

Ranking Member: Goehner

Seattle Members: Alvarado (vice chair), Salomon

King County Members: Goehner (ranking member), Orwall
On the agenda:

1. S.B. 5148 (Ensuring compliance with the housing element requirements of the Growth Management Act, by Sen. Bateman.)
2. S.B. 5184 (Concerning minimum parking requirements, by Sen. Bateman.)
3. S.B. 5249 (Concerning siting kit homes, by Sen. Jeff Wilson.)

Following the public hearing, the committee will proceed to executive session to further consider S.B. 5156 (Concerning elevator standards in smaller apartment buildings, by Sen. Salomon), and may vote it out of committee.

State Government, Tribal Affairs, & Elections, 10:30 a.m.

Chair: Valdez

Ranking Member: Jeff Wilson

Seattle Members: Hasegawa, Valdez (chair)

King County Members: Fortunato, Kauffman

On the agenda:

The committee will start in executive session to consider seven bills. The committee may vote to send some or all out of committee.

1. S.B. 5176 (Implementing prompt pay recommendations from the Capital Projects Advisory Review Board, by Sen. Valdez.)
2. S.B. 5011 (Labelling ballot drop boxes, by Sen. Jeff Wilson.)
3. S.B. 5143 (Concerning the Ethics in Public Service Act, by Sen. Gildon.)
4. S.B. 5034 (Eliminating the expiration of the Interagency Muli-Jurisdictional System Improvement Team, by Sen. Boehnke.)
5. S.B. 5014 (Concerning election security, by Sen. Boehnke.)
6. S.B. 5077 (Concerning expansion of voter registration services by government agencies, by Sen. Valdez.)
7. S.B. 5225 (Concerning candidate filing requirements, by Sen. MacEwen.)

Following the executive session, the committee will hold a public hearing on the following bills:

1. S.B. 5152 (Concerning state employee access to peer-reviewed journals, by Sen. Warnick.)
2. S.B. 5049 (Concerning the Public Records Exemptions Accountability Committee, by Sen. Jeff Wilson.)

United States House of Representatives

United States Senate

The Senate convenes at 10:00 a.m./7:00 a.m.

Following remarks by Majority Leader John Thune, and by Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, the Senate will resume consideration of the nomination of Peter Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense.

Absent an agreement, and if all time is used, the Senate will vote on final confirmation at approximately 9:00 p.m./6:00 p.m.

Following the result of the vote, the Senate will vote on closing debate on the nomination of Kristi Noem to be Secretary of Homeland Security.

The Majority Leader has requested debate to end on the following topics:

1. Nomination of Kristi Noem to be Secretary of Homeland Security
2. Nomination of Scott Bessent to be Secretary of the Treasury
3. Nomination of Sean Duffy to be Secretary of Transportation
4. Motion to proceed to H.R. 23 Illegitimate Court Counteraction (ICC) Act (by Rep. Chip Roy of Texas.)

President of the United States

No schedule for the President has been released as of 10:00 p.m. Pacific on Thursday.

BREAKING: Executive Constantine nominates Keiser, Patterson, Quinn, to vacant council seat

 King County Executive Dow Constantine has submitted three names to the County Council to fill the council vacancy in District 5. The seat is vacant following the resignation of CM Dave Upthegrove, who was electes State Lands Commissioner in November.

It is unclear whether any of the nominees, if appointed, would seek a full term in November.

Karen L. Keiser

Karen Keiser resigned in December as a 23-year member of the Washington Senate. She served in the House from 1996 to 2001, and in the Senate from 2001 until her resignation exactly 23 years later.

She also served as President pro tempore of the Senate from 2017 to 2024.

Age 77, she is a resident of Des Moines.

Julia L. Patterson

Julia Patterson is an elder stateswoman in King County. A former and founding member of the Seatac City Council, she served on that body from 1989 to 1993. She served in the State House of Representatives from 1993 to 1997, in the State Senate from 1997 to 2001, and as Member (2002-2014) and President (2008-09) of the King County Council.

Age 71, she still resides in Seatac.

De'Sean Quinn

De'Sean Quinn has served on the Tukwila City Council since 2008.

Prior to his time on the Council, CM Quinn worked closely with Executive Ron Sims, including as liaison to the Council from the Executive's office.

Age 54, he resides in (you guessed it) Tukwila.

The County Council must vote to appoint one of them, and has until March 15 to do so.

BREAKING: Senate confirms Ratcliffe as CIA Director

 The US Senate officially confirmed John Ratcliffe as the next Director of the CIA.

The vote was 74-25, with Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania not voting.

Democrats who voted to confirm Ratcliffe: Alsobrooks (MD), Bennet (CO), Booker (NJ), Coons (DE), Durbin (IL), Gallego (AZ), Gillibrand (NY), Hassan (NH), Hickenlooper (CO), Kaine (VA), Kelly (AZ), Kim (NJ), Klobuchar (MN), Peters (MI), Rosen (NV), Shaheen (NH), Slotkin (MI), Warner (VA), Welch (VT), Whitehouse (RI).

Both of Washington's Senators voted to reject the nomination.

A native of Mount Prospect, Illinois, and resident of Heath, TX, Ratcliffe has an extensive public service record.

He was elected in 2003 as Mayor of Heath, Texas, a position he retained after he was appointed by President George W. Bush as US Attorney for Eastern Texas in 2007. 

He won four two-year terms as Mayor. He resigned as US Attorney in 2008, and remained as Mayor until May 2012.

In late 2013, Ratcliffe announced his intention to primary US Representative Ralph Hall, age 91. Hall was the oldest Member of Congress, and the oldest person to ever serve in the House. Ratcliffe defeated Hall in the primary runoff, and was elected in November.

Ratcliffe positioned himself as an opponent of Barack Obama, and staunch ally of the President in his first term. He won re-election in 2016 and 2018 before resigning in May 2020 after being confirmed as the President's second Director of National Intelligence.

Ratcliffe resigned after the inauguration of Joe Biden.

Age 59, Ratcliffe is married to Michele Ratcliffe and has two children with her. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame and a Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University.

BREAKING: Judge blocks Jus Solis Executive Order

 The Hon. John Coughenour, a judge appointed by President Ronald Reagan, issued an order today blocking one of the President's executive orders revoking jus solis citizenship, or birthright citizenship.

In the United States, you are considered a citizen from birth if: You are born in the United States, in one of the US Territories, or when at a US Airport or docked at a US Port; or, one or both of your parents are US Citizens at your birth. The President's executive order revoked that first citizenship option, known as jus solis (or "right of the soil", as opposed to jus sanguis, "right of the blood").

More from the WA Standard here.

John C. Coughenour.

Technically a senior judge since 2006, Coughenour, age 83, was appointed to the US District Court for Western Washington by Ronald Reagan in 1981, and served as Chief Judge from 1997 to 2004.

He is a native of Pittsburgh, and a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law ('66). Prior to serving as a judge, Coughenour worked as a litigator at Bogle and Gates, and has tought trial and appellate practice at UW School of Law.

Politics Bulletin: 23 January 2025

 Seattle City Council

Libraries, Education, & Neighborhoods

CANCELLED. 

Contact for more information: CM Maritza Rivera, (206) 684-8804, or email.

SPECIAL MEETING: Full Council, 1:00 p.m.

On the agenda:

Presentations by finalists for the District 2 Council Seat appointments.

Presentations are three minutes each, and delivered by candidates in alphabetical order by surname:

1. Hong Chhuor
2. Adonis E. Duckworth
3. Thaddaeus J. Gregory
4. Edward C. Lin
5. Chukundi Salisbury
6. Mark A. Solomon

Governance, Accountability, & Economic Development

CANCELLED. 

For more information: Council President Sara E. Nelson, (206) 684-8809, or email.

King County Council

No meetings.

Washington State House of Representatives

The House will meet in a pro forma session at 10:30 a.m.

Committee Meetings:

Community Safety, 8:00 a.m.

Chair: Goodman

Ranking Member: Graham

Seattle Members: Davis, Farivar

King County Members: Goodman (chair), Burnett, Obras

On the agenda:

The committee will consider five bills in executive session and may choose to vote them out of committee.

1. H.B. 1091 (Concerning sexually violent predators' ineligibility to earn supervision compliance credit, by Rep. Couture.)
2. H.B. 1119 (Concerning supervision compliance credit, by Rep. Goodman, by request of the Dept. of Corrections.)
3. H.B. 1131 (Concerning clemency and pardons, by Rep. Goodmn.)
4. H.B. 1137 (Establishing uniform policies and procedures with Dept. of Corrections facilities relating to disciplinary proceedings and administrative segregation, by Rep. Peterson.)
5. H.B. 1192 (Concerning disciplinary hearings held by the Dept. of Corrections, by Rep. Simmons.)

Following executive session, the committee will hold a public hearing on the following bills:

1. H.B. 1125 (Providing judicial discretion to modify sentences in the interest of justice, by Rep. Simmons.)
2. H.B. 1233 (Concerning work programs for incarcerated persons, by Rep. Simmons.)

Education, 8:00 a.m.

Chair: Santos

Ranking Member: Rude

Seattle Members: Bergquist, Pollet, Santos (chair), Scott

King County Members: Callan, Eslick, Reeves, Steele

On the agenda:

1. H.B. 1285 (Making financial education instruction a graduation requirement in public schools, by Rep. Rude.)
2. H.B. 1289 (Gathering survey information to improve the public school system, by Rep. McClintock)
3. H.B 1296 (Promoting a safe and supportive public education system, by Rep. Stonier.)

Environment & Energy, 8:00 a.m.

Chair: Doglio

Ranking Member: Dye

Seattle Members: Berry, Hackney, Street

King County Members: Duerr, Hunt (vice chair), Kloba, Stearns

On the agenda:

1. H.B. 1303 (Increasing environmental justice by improving government decisions, by Rep. Mena.)
2. H.B. 1329 (Concerning wholesale power purchases by electric utilities under the Washington Clean Energy Transformation Act, by Rep. Hunt.)

Following the public hearing, the committee will proceed to executive session to consider the following three bills. The committee may vote to pass them out of committee.

1. H.B. 1024 (Concerning the leasing authority of the State Parks & Recreation Commission at St. Edward State Park, by Rep. Kloba, by request of the Parks & Recreation Commission.)
2. H.B. 1018 (Adding fusion energy to facilities that may obtain site certification for the purposes of chapter 80.50 RCW, by Rep. Shavers, by request of the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council.)
3. H.B. 1154 (Ensuring environmental and public health protection from solid waste handling facility operations, by Rep. Duerr.)

Housing, 8:00 a.m.

Chair: Peterson

Ranking Member: Low
Seattle Members: Reed

King County Members: Entenman, Gregerson, Low (ranking member)

On the agenda:

1. H.B. 1204 (Concerning senior shared housing in manufactured home communities, by Rep. Eslick.)

Following the public hearing, the committee will proceed to executive session to consider H.B. 1108 (Creating a Task Force on Housing Cost Driver Analysis, by Rep. Klicker.) The bill may be voted out of committee by members.

Capital Budget, 1:30 p.m.

Chair: Tharinger
Ranking Member: Steele

Seattle Members: Davis

King County Members: Callan (vice chair), Eslick, Salahuddin, Stearns, Steele (ranking member)

On the agenda:

1. Briefing: Affordable Housing financing.

Finance, 1:30 p.m.

Chair: Berg

Ranking Member: Orcutt

Seattle Members: Santos, Scott, Street (vice chair)

King County Members: Penner, Springer, Walen

On the agenda:

1. H.B. 1047 (Creating a sales tax exemption for equipment purchased by Fire Districts in rural counties, by Rep. Dent.)
2. H.B. 1060 (Concerning newspapers and eligible digital content, by Rep. Santos.)
3. H.B. 1094 (Providing a property tax exemption for property owned by a qualifying nonprofit organization and loaned, leased, or rented to and used by any government entity to provide character-building, benevolent, protective, or rehabilitative social services, by Rep. Walen.)

Following public hearing on the above bills, the committee will proceed to executive session to further consider the following three bills, and may vote those bills out of committee:

1. H.B. 1004 (Increasing the personal property tax exemption, by Rep. Leavitt.)
2. H.J.R. 4200 (Concerning taxation of personal property, by Rep. Schmidt.)
3. H.B. 1126 (Standardizing notification provisions relating to local tax rate changes and shared taxes administered by the Department, by Rep. Walen, by request of the Dept. of Revenue.)

Appropriations, 4:00 p.m.

Chair: Ormsby

Ranking Member: Couture

Seattle Members: Bergquist, Macri (vice chair), Pollet, Ryu, Street

King County Members: Burnett, Callan, Gregerson (vice chair), Penner (asst. ranking member), Spring, Thai

On the agenda:

1. H.B. 1156 (Concerning volunteer firefighter participation in the state deferred compensation program, by Rep. Steele.)
2. H.B. 1260 (Concerning administrative costs associated with the document recording fee, by Rep. Schmidt.)
3. H.B. 1270 (Concerning automatic deferred compensation enrollment for county, municipal, and other political subdivision employees, by Rep. Bronoske, by request of the Dept. of Retirement Systems.)
4. H.B. 1300 (Transferring dedicated account for certain professional licenses to the Business and Professions Account, by Rep. Donaghy, by request of the Dept. of Licensing.)
5. H.B. 1349 (Concerning the purchase of Pension Service Credit for authorized leaves of absence, by Rep. Griffey, by request of the LEOFF Plan 2 Retirement Board.)

Transportation, 4:00 p.m.

Chair: Fey

Ranking Member: Barkis

Seattle Members: Hackney, Reed (vice chair)

King County Members: Duerr, Entenman, Hunt, Low (asst. ranking member), Taylor
On the agenda:

1. H.B. 1061 (Providing additional parking flexibility in residential neighborhoods, by Rep. Low.)
2. H.B. 1371 (Concerning parking privileges for veterans, by Rep. Orcutt.)
3. H.J.M. 4000 (Extending the naming of Martin Luther King , Jr. Way, by Rep. Gregerson.)
4. H.J.M. 4001 (Concerning Russ Blount Memorial Bridge naming, by Rep. Fey.)

Washington State Senate

The Senate will meet for a pro forma session at 12:30 p.m.

Committee Meetings

Business, Financial Services, & Trade, 8:00 a.m.

Chair: Kauffman

Ranking Member: Dozier

Seattle Members: Hasegawa

King County Members: Fortunato, Kauffman (chair), Stanford

On the agenda:

1. S.B. 5109 (Concerning the Mortgage Lending Fraud Prosecution Account, by Sen. Kauffman.)
2. S.B. 5141 (Requiring the experience-rated group disability income insurers to include all applicable rating factors and credibility formulas in rate manual filings with the Insurance Commissioner, by Sen. Cortes.)
3. S.B. 5207 (Requiring refunds to consumers for early cancellation of term-based subscriptions to electronic media services, by Sen. MacEwen.)
4. S.B. 5251 (Concerning lodging tax revenues, by Sen. Christian.)
5. S.B. 5280 (Protecting consumers of virtual currency kiosks, by Sen. Kauffman, by request of the Dept. of Financial Institutions.)
6. S.B. 5294 (Transferring dedicated accounts for certain professional licenses to the Business & Professions Account, by Sen. Gildon, by request of the Dept. of Licensing.)

Health & Long-Term Care, 8:00 a.m.

Chair: Cleveland

Ranking Member: Muzzall

Seattle Members: none

King County Members: Orwall (vice chair),  Slatter

On the agenda:

1. Briefing: Healthcare Affordability
2. S.B. 5064 (Creating an Advisory Council on Rare Diseases, by Sen. Liias.)
3. S.B. 5019 (Concerning prepacked medication distribution, by Sen. Chapman.)
4. S.B. 5244 (Providing an exemption for Women, Infants, & Children Program staff to perform hematological screening tests, by Sen. Riccelli, by request of the Dept. of Health.)

Early Learning & K-12 Education, 10:30 a.m.

Chair: Wellman

Ranking Member: Harris

Seattle Members: none

King County Members: Wellman (chair), Claire Wilson (vice chair, early learning)

On the agenda:

1. Briefing: Issues related to rural school districts.
2. S.B. 5008 (Supporting the use of assessment, diagnostic, and learning tools in public schools, by Sen. Braun.)
3. S.B. 5009 (Modifying the Student Transportation Allocation to accommodate multiple vehicle types for transporting students, by Sen. Braun.)
4. S.B. 5120 (Expanding the Learning Assistance Program, by Sen. Nobles, by request of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.)
5. S.B. 5177 (Considering the experiences of historically marginalized and under-represented groups when identifying professional development resources on certain topics, by Sen. Nobles.)

Following public hearing on the above bills, the committee will proceed to executive session to further consider the following two bills, and may vote to pass them out of committee:

1. S.B. 5181 (Amending the Parents Rights Initiative to bring it into alignment with existing law, by Sen. Claire Wilson.)
2. S.B. 5190 (Allowing school districts to request extensions to state energy performance standard deadlines for K-12 school buildings, by Sen. Wellman.)

Law & Justice, 10:30 a.m.

Chair: Dhingra

Ranking Member: Holy

Seattle Members: Salomon, Valdez

King County Members: Dhingra (chair), Fortunato, Wagoner

On the agenda: 

The committee will begin in executive session to consider 14 bills and may vote to pass a bill or bills out of committee.

1. S.B. 5133 (Concerning departures from the guidelines for caregiver status, by Sen. Claire Wilson, by request of the Administrative Office of the Courts.)
2. S.B. 5105 (Concerning offenses involving fabricated depictions of minors, by Sen. Orwall.)
3. S.B. 5037 (Enacting the Uniform Custodial Trust Act, by Sen. Holy, by request of the Uniform Law Commission.
4. S.B. 5071 (Updating the Endangerment with a Controlled Substance Statute, by Sen. Braun.)
5. S.B. 5122 (Enacting the Uniform Anti-Trust Pre-Merger Notification Act, by Sen. Trudeau, by request of the Uniform Law Commission.)
6. S.B. 5093 (Concerning dignity in pregnancy loss, by Sen. Dhingra.)
7. S.B. 5202 (Ensuring the efficacy of judicial orders as harm reduction tools that increase the safety of survivors of abuse and support law enforcement in their efforts to enforce the law, by Sen. Salomon.)
8. S.J.M. 8006 (Concerning the Limited License Legal Technician Program, by Sen. Torres.)
9. S.B. 5147 (Reviewing laws related to criminal insanity and competency to stand trial, by Sen. Torres.)
10. S.B. 5060 (Creating a Law Enforcement Hiring Grant Program, by Sen. Holy.)
11. S.B. 5068 (Concerning agencies, firefighters, prosecutors, and general or limited authority law enforcement, extending eligibility for employment to all United States citizens or persons legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law, by Sen. Lovick.)
12. S.B. 5209 (Explicitly listing the Dept. of Labour & Industries in the definition of Limited Authority Law Enforcement Agency while not granting new enforcement authority, by Sen. Lovick, by request of the Dept. of Labour & Industries.)
13. S.B. 5224 (Concerning officer certification definitions, processes, and commissioning, by Sen. Lovick, by request of the Criminal Justice Training Commission.)
14. S.B. 5099 (Establishing additional requirements for the business operations of licensed firearms dealers, by Sen. Lovick.)

Following executive session, the committee will begin a public hearing on the following bills:

1. S.B. 5169 (Concerning testimony of children, by Sen. Nobles.)
2. S.B. 5142 (Providing owners of real estate taken through eminent domain by school districts, or sold under threat of eminent domain, the opportunity to purchase the real estate back when it is not put to intended public use, by Sen. Hasegawa.)
3. S.B. 5198 (Concerning training as an alternative to driver license suspension for the accumulation of certain traffic infractions, by Sen. Valdez, by request of the Dept. of Licensing.)

Agriculture & Natural Resources, 1:30 p.m.

Chair: Chapman

Ranking Member: Short

Seattle Members: Saldaña

King County Members: Wagoner

On the agenda:

1. Briefing: Dept. of Fish & Wildlife organizational review
2. S.B. 5303 (Extending the water supply milestone for the Yakima River Basin Integrated Plan to 2035, by Sen. Warnick.)
3. S.B. 5305 (Concerning the new environmental accelerator for salmon recovery and ecological resiliency projects, by Sen. Muzzall.)

Higher Education & Workforce Development, 1:30 p.m.

Chair: Nobles

Ranking Member: Warnick

Seattle Members: none

Washington Members: Slatter

On the agenda:

1. Briefing: Degree Attainment
2. S.B. 5275 (Modifying funding and award levels for the Passport to Careers Program and eligibility for the Washington College Grant, by Sen. Nobles.)
3. S.B. 5304 (Expanding eligibility for the Students Experiencing Homelessness & Foster Youth Program to an accredited tribal college, by Sen. Kauffman, by request of the Student Achievement Council.)
4. S.B. 5308 (Establishing the Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program and requiring student notifications, by Sen. Hansen.)

Following the public hearings, the committee will proceed to executive session to consider the following two bills, and may vote one or both bills out of committee.

1. S.B. 5110 (Providing tuition waivers for tribal elders at Washington's community and technical colleges, by Sen. Kauffman, by request of the State Board for Community & Technical Colleges.)
2. S.B. 5158 (Concerning student athlete insurance, by Sen. Valdez.)

Local Government, 1:30 p.m.

Chair: Salomon

Ranking Member: Torres

Seattle Members: Salomon (chair)

King County Members: Goehner

On the agenda:

1. Briefing: Salmon Habitat Recovery Pilot Program
2. S.B. 5155 (Extending a program to streamline the environmental permitting process for salmon recovery projects, by Sen. Salomon.)
3. S.B. 5154 (Clarifying the duties of county auditors, by Sen. Goehner.)
4. S.B. 5221 (Simplifying processes and timelines related to personal property distraint, by Sen. Bateman.)

Transportation, 4:00 p.m.

Chair: Liias

Ranking Member: King

Seattle Members: Alvarado, Valdez

King County Members: Fortunato, Goehner (asst. ranking member), Ramos (vice chair)

On the agenda:

1. Briefing: Introduction to local government agencies:
1. Cities, Counties, Ports
2. Transit Agencies, and Metropolitan/Regional Transportation Planning Organizations.

Ways & Means, 4:00 p.m.

Chair: Robinson

Ranking Members: Gildon & Schoesler
Seattle Members: Frame (vice chair, finance) Hasegawa, Pedersen, Saldaña

King County Members: Dhingra, Kauffman, Stanford (vice chair, operating), Wagoner, Wellman, Claire Wilson

On the agenda:

1. Briefing: Pension systems
2. S.B. 5085 (Concerning three of Washington State's closed retirement plans, by Sen. Robinson.)
3. S.B. 5113 (Concerning cost-of-living adjustments for Plan 1 Retirees of the Teachers' Retirement System and Public Employees' Retirement System, by Sen. Boehnke, by request of the Select Committee on Pension Policy.)
4. S.B. 5357 (Concerning actuarial funding of pension systems, by Sen. Conway, by request of the Office of Financial Management.)
5. S.B. 5114 (Paying state retirement benefits until the end of the month in which the retiree or beneficiary dies, by Sen. Boehnke, by request of the Select Committee on Pension Policy.)
6. S.B. 5168 (Concerning the appointment, removal, and salary of the State Actuary, by Sen. Robinson.)
7. S.B. 5306 (Concerning the purchase of Pension Service Credit for authorized leaves of absence, by Sen. Holy, by request of the LEOFF Plan 2 Retirement Board.)

United States House of Representatives

The House meets today at 10:00 a.m/7:00 a.m. for Morning Hour, and proceeds to Legislative Business at noon/9:00 a.m.

The House will allow up to thirty Representatives (up to 15 Democrats and 15 Republicans) to speak on any topic for up to one minute.

Following "One Minutes", the House will consider two bills today, with a possible third:

1. H.R. 471 Fix Our Forests Act (Rep. Westerman of Arkansas.)
1. This bill has 55 cosponsors, notably WA Rep. Dan Newhouse (District 4/Central WA).
2. H.R. 21 Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (Rep. Wagner of Missouri.)
1. This bill has 159 cosponsors, all Republicans.
1. This includes WA Rep. Dan Newhouse (see above)
3. Possibly: H.R. 375 Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act (Rep. Tokuda of Hawai'i.)
1. This bill has one cosponsor, Hawai'i Rep. Ed Case.

Committee Meetings

Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, & Fisheries, 10:00 a.m./7:00 a.m.

Chair: Harriet Hageman, of Wyoming

On the agenda:

1. H.R. 231 Colorado River Basin System Conservation Extension Act of 2025 (by Rep. Hageman of Wyoming.)
2. H.R. 261 Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025 (by Rep. Carter of Georgia.)
3. H.R. 331 (To amend the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify a provision relating to conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes, by Rep. Fulcher of Idaho.)
4. H.R. 635 WaterSMART Access for Tribes Act (by Rep. Stansbury of New Mexico.)

Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, & Hazardous Materials, 10:00 a.m./7:00 a.m.

Chair: Daniel Webster, of Florida

Ranking Member: Dina Titus, of Nevada

On the agenda:

"America Builds: Examining America's Freight & Passenger Rail Network."

Hearing witnesses:

1. Ian Jeffries (President and CEO, American Association of Railroads.)
2. Chuck Baker (American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association.)
3. Joe DaLoisio (Chair, National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association.)
4. Jared Cassity (Alternate National Safety & Legislative Dir., Sheet Metal Air Rail Transportation - Transportation Division.)

Appropriations, 10:00 a.m./7:00 a.m.

Chair: Tom Cole, of Oklahoma

Ranking Member: Rosa DeLauro, of Connecticut

Washington Members: Dan Newhouse (Central), Marie Perez (Southwest)

Organizational meeting

Budget, 10:00 a.m./7:00 a.m.

Chair: Jodey Arrington, of Texas
Ranking Member: Brendan Boyle, of Pennsylvania

Organizational meeting

Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Communications & Technology, 10:00 a.m./7:00 a.m.

Chair: Richard Hudson, of North Carolina

Ranking Member: Doris Matsui, of California

On the agenda:

"Strengthening American Leadership in Wireless Technology."

Hearing witnesses:

1. Michael Powell (President & CEO, The Internet & Television Association.)
2. Brad Gillen (Executive Vice President, The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association.)
3. Diane Rinaldo (Executive Director, Open RAN Policy Coalition.)
4. Chris Lewis (CEO, Public Knowledge.)

Agriculture, 10:00 a.m./7:00 a.m.

Chair: Glenn Thompson, of Pennsylvania
Ranking Member: Angie Craig, of Minnesota.

Washington Members: Dan Newhouse (Central), Marie Perez (Southwest)

Organizational Meeting

House Administration, 10:00 a.m/7:00 a.m.

Chair: Bryan Steil, of Wisconsin

Ranking Member: Joseph Morelle, of New York

Organizational Meeting

Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance & Memorial Affairs, 1:15 p.m./10:15 a.m.

Chair: Morgan Luttrell, of Texas

Ranking Member: Chris Pappas, of New Hampshire

On the agenda:

"Correcting VA's Violations of Veterans' Due Process & Second Amendment Rights."

Hearing witnesses:

1. Jordan B. Cohen (Analyst of Firearms Policy, Congressional Research Svc.)
2. Scott Szymendera (Analyst of Disability Policy, Congressional Research Svc.)
3. James McCormick (Former Nat'l Commander, Military Order of the Purple Heart.)
4. Wayne Reynolds (Nat'l Treasurer, Vietnam Veterans of America.)
5. Nancy Springer (Associate Director, Nat'l Legislative Svc., Veterans of Foreign Wars.)
6. Michael "Top" Washington (MSgt, retired, USMC, Everytown Veterans Advisory Council.)

United States Senate

The Senate meets at 10:00 a.m/7:00 a.m.

Following remarks by Majority Leader John Thune and Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, the Senate will be in a period of Morning Business, where any Senator can speak on any topic for up to ten minutes.

At approximately 11:00 a.m./8:00 a.m., the Senate will vote on whether or not to end debate on the nomination of John Ratcliffe to be CIA Director.

If the vote passes, there will be up to two hours of debate. Following the close of debate, the Senate will vote on final confirmation.

Following the confirmation or rejection of the nomination, the Senate will vote on whether or not to end debate of the nomination of Pete Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense.

If the vote passes, there will be up to thirty (30) hours of debate. 

Additional votes are possible.

The Majority Leader has filed requests to end debate on four nominations:

1. John Ratcliffe to be CIA Director
2. Peter Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense
3. Kristi Noem to be Secretary of Homeland Security
4. Scott Bessent to be Secretary of the Treasury

Committee Meetings

Veterans' Affairs, 9:00 a.m./6:00 a.m.

Chair: Jerry Moran of Kansas

Ranking Member: Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut

Washington Member? Yes, Patty Murray.

On the agenda:

Vote on approving the nomination of Douglas Collins to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Environment & Public Works, 9:15 a.m./6:15 a.m.

Chair: Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia

Ranking Member: Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island

Washington Member? No.

PNW Member? Yes: Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff of California

On the agenda:

Vote on approving the nomination of Lee Zeldin to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Energy & Natural Resources, 9:30 a.m./6:30 a.m.

Chair: Mike Lee of Utah
Ranking Member: Martin Heinrich of New Mexico

Washington Member? Yes, Maria Cantwell

On the agenda:

1. Considering amending committee rules with regard to quorum.
2. A resolution funding the committee for the Congress
3. Vote on approving the nomination of Doug Burgum to be Secretary of the Interior
4. Vote on approving the nomination of Chris Wright to be Secretary of Energy

Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry, 10:00 a.m./7:00 a.m.

Chair: John Boozman of Arkansas

Ranking Member: Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota

Washington Member? No

PNW Members? Yes, Adam Schiff of California.

On the agenda:

Confirmation Hearing: Brooke Rollins to be Secretary of Agriculture

The President of the United States

1. 11:00 a.m./8:00 a.m.: The President delivers remarks via video and holds a virtual panel discussion with CEOs as the World Economic Forum in Davos.
2. 12:30 p.m./9:30 a.m.: The President receives an intelligence briefing
3. 2:30 p.m./11:30 a.m.: The President signs executive orders in the Oval Office
4. 3:30 p.m./12:30 p.m.: The President will call His Excellency Nayib Armando Bukele Ortez, President of El Salvador.
5. 4:30 p.m./1:30 p.m.: The President will record various video messages.
6. 5:00 p.m./2:00 p.m.: The President will lead a senior staff meeting & swearing-in ceremony.

Politics Bulletin: 22 January 2025

Seattle City Council

Housing & Human Services

CANCELLED.

Parks, Public Utilities, & Technology

CANCELLED.

King County Council

Budget & Fiscal Management, 9:30 a.m.

Chair: Zahilay (Central & South Seattle)

Vice Chair: Dembowski (North)

Members: Balducci (Eastside), Barón (Northwest Seattle), Mosqueda (West Seattle), Perry (Northeast)

On the agenda:

1. Ordinance 2024-0324: 2024 Levy of property taxes for collection in 2025, by CM Zahilay.
2. Ordinance 2024-0383: Ground lease with Community Roots Housing, by CM Zahilay.
3. Ordinance 2024-0384: Commercial lease with Bridge Housing Corporation, by CM Zahilay.

Law & Justice, 1:00 p.m.

Chair: Barón (Northwest Seattle)

Vice Chair: Balducci (Eastside)

Members: Dembowski (North) and Dunn (Southeast)

On the agenda:

1. Motion 2024-0293: Receiving a report on progress toward addressing the legal system backlog that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic, by CM Barón.
2. Motion 2024-0284: Receiving a report on a Crisis Response Program plan, by CM Barón.
3. Motion 2025-0016: Relating to the repeal of RCW 10.70.140, by CM Barón.
4. Briefing: Look Ahead for the Law & Justice Committee.

Washington State House of Representatives

Agriculture & Natural Resources, 8:00 a.m.

Chair: Reeves

Ranking Member: Dent

Seattle Members: none

King County Members: Reeves (chair), Springer

On the agenda:

1. Briefing: Wildfire Preparedness, Response, and Mitigation
2. H.B. 1048 (Concerning a Rangeland Fire Protection Association pilot project, by Rep. Dent.)

Civil Rights & Judiciary, 8:00 a.m.

Chair: Taylor

Ranking Member: Walsh

Seattle Members: Farivar (vice chair)

King County Members: Burnett, Entenman, Goodman, Salahuddin, Taylor (chair), Thai, Walen

On the agenda:

1. H.B. 1174 (Concerning court interpreters, by Rep. Peterson, by request of the Administrative Office of the Courts.)
2. H.B. 1207 (Concerning Superior Court clerk fees, by Rep. Thai, by request of the Secretary of State.)
3. H.B. 1281 (Making technical corrections and removing obsolete language from the Revised Code of Washington pursuant to RCW 1.08.025, by Rep. Goodman, by request of the Statute Law Committee.)
4. H.B. 1297 (Reporting self-employed workers to the Division of Child Support, by Rep. Walen, by request of the Dept. of Social & Health Services.)

The committee will then proceed to executive session to further consider the following bills. The committee may vote on passing the bills out of committee.

1. H.B. 1144 (Adding an additional Superior Court judge in Skagit County, by Rep. Lekanoff, by request of the Administrative Office of the Courts.)
2. H.B. 1014 (Implementing recommendations of the 2023 Child Support Schedule Work Group, by Rep. Schmidt.)
3. H.B. 1112 (Removing the city residency requirement for judges pro tempore in municipalities with a population of more than 400,000 inhabitants, by Rep. Farivar.)
4. H.B. 1046 (Providing immunity from civil liability for damage to a motor vehicle arising from the rescue of vulnerable persons or domestic animals, by Rep. Leavitt.)

Labour & Workplace Standards, 8:00 a.m.

Chair: Berry

Ranking Member: Schmidt

Seattle Members: Berry (chair), Scott (vice chair)

King County Members: Obras

On the agenda:

1. H.B. 1308 (Access to personnel records, by Rep. Reed.)

Following the public hearing on H.B. 1308, the committee will proceed to executive session to consider the following bills, and may vote to send the bills out of committee.

1. H.B. 1105 (Exempting exclusive bargaining representatives for Dept. of Corrections employees from certain provisions related to collective bargaining, by Rep. Fosse.)
2. H.B. 1141 (Collective bargaining for agricultural cannabis workers, by Rep. Ortíz-Self.)
3. H.B. 1162 (Workplace violence in healthcare settings, by Rep. Leavitt.)
4. H.B. 1173 (Wages for journeypersons in high-hazard facilities, by Rep. Bronoske.)

Local Government, 8:00 a.m.

Chair: Duerr

Ranking Member: Klicker

Seattle Members: none
King County Members: Duerr (chair), Hunt

On the agenda:

1. H.B. 1044 (Concerning county fees for administration of the real estate excise tax, by Rep. Wylie.)
2. H.B. 1254 (Implementing the International Wildland Interface Code, by Rep. Duerr.)
3. H.B. 1145 (Concerning county public works reporting requirements, by Rep. Barkis.)

Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans, 8:00 a.m.

Chair: Ryu

Ranking Member: Volz

Seattle Members: Ryu (chair), Street

King County Member: Kloba (vice chair), Penner

On the agenda:

1. H.B. 1245 (Concerning business development, by Rep. Couture.)
2. Briefing: AI Task Force inaugural report

Consumer Protection & Business, 1:30 p.m.

Chair: Walen

Ranking Member: McClintock

Seattle Members: Berry, Hackney (vice chair), Ryu, Santos

King County Members: Kloba, Reeves, Walen (chair)

On the agenda:

1. H.B. 1063 (Establishing a new chapter for the licensing & regulation of businesses providing earned wage access services, by Rep. Reeves.)
2. H.B. 1268 (Concerning virtual currency transaction kiosks, by Rep. Hackney.)

Following the public hearing, the committee MAY proceed to executive session to consider the following bills. If they do, the committee MIGHT also vote the bills out of committee.

1. H.B. 1067 (Transferring certain cannabis licensing activities to the Dept. of Agriculture, by Rep. Reeves.)
2. H.B. 1209 (Regulating the transfer of sodium nitrite, by Rep. Mena.)

Early Learning & Human Services, 1:30 p.m.

Chair: Bergquist

Ranking Member: Eslick

Seattle Members: Bergquist (chair)

King County Members: Burnett (asst. ranking), Goodman, Penner, Taylor

On the agenda:

1. H.B. 1082 (Qualifications for childcare providers, by Rep. Eslick.)
2. H.B. 1248 (Providing ongoing evaluations of juvenile justice programs and clarifying juvenile diversion practices, by Rep. Couture.)
3. H.B. 1263 (Updating eligible uses for the Essential Needs and Housing Support Program, by Rep. Cortes, by request of the Dept. of Commerce.)
4. H.B. 1351 (Adjusting age requirements for accessing the Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program, by Rep. Bernbaum.)

Healthcare & Wellness, 1:30 p.m.

Chair: Bronoske

Ranking Member: Schmick

Seattle Members: Davis, Macri

King County Members: Obras, Thai

On the agenda:

1. H.B. 1076 (Concerning the Health Technology Assessment Program, by Rep. Walen.)
2. H.B. 1190 (Allowing additional health professions to access the University of Washington Health Sciences Library, by Rep. Marshall.)
3. H.B. 1234 (Concerning the Mental Health Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapists, and Social Workers Advisory Committee, by Rep. Simmons.)
4. H.B. 1238 (Creating an Advisory Council on Rare Diseases, by Rep. Low.)
5. H.B. 1262 (Updating the Governor's Interagency Coordinating Council on Health Disparities, by Rep. Santos, on request of the Governor's Interagency Coordinating Council on Health Disparities.)

Postsecondary Education & Workforce, 1:30 p.m.

Chair: Paul

Ranking Member: Ybarra

Seattle Members: Pollet, Reed

King County Members: Entenman, Salahuddin

On the agenda:

1. H.B. 1142 (Standardizing basic training and certification requirements for long-term care workers who provide in-home care for their family members, including spouses or domestic partners, by Rep. Macri, by request of the Dept. of Social & Health Services.)
2. H.B. 1259 (Supervision requirements for behavior health professionals in elementary and secondary public schools, by Rep. Shavers.)
3. H.B. 1278 (The role of students on the governing boards of institutions of higher education, by Rep. Pollet.)
4. H.B. 1298 (Student athlete insurance, by Rep. Berg.)

State Government & Tribal Relations, 1:30 p.m.

Chair: Mena

Ranking Member: Waters
Seattle Members: Farivar

King County Members: Stearns (vice chair)

On the agenda:

1. Briefing: The state of horse racing
2. H.B. 1219 (Concerning the Interbranch Advisory Committee, by Rep. Taylor.)
3. H.B. 1327 (Concerning horse racing, by Rep. Schmick, by request of the Horse Racing Commission.)

Appropriations, 4:00 p.m.

Chair: Ormsby

Ranking Member: Couture

Seattle Members: Bergquist, Fitzgibbon, Macri (vice chair), Pollet, Ryu, Street

King County Members: Burnett, Callan, Gregerson (vice chair), Penner (asst. ranking), Springer, Thai 

On the agenda:

1. Briefing: K-12 Education overview

Transportation, 4:00 p.m.

Chair: Fey

Ranking Member: Barkis

Seattle Members: Hackney, Reed (vice chair)

King County Members: Duerr, Entenman, Hunt, Taylor

On the agenda:

1. H.B. 1098 (Concerning county local roads, by Rep. Low.)
2. H.B. 1194 (Creating additional requirements for collector vehicle and horseless carriage license plates to improve compliance and public safety, by Rep. Goodman, by request of the Dept. of Licensing.)
3. H.B. 1244 (Concerning training as an alternative to driver license suspension for the accumulation of certain traffic infractions, by Rep. Wylie, by request of the Dept. of Licensing.)
4. H.B. 1367 (Improving motorcycle safety by authorizing the use of the right shoulder of limited access roadways, by Rep. Orcutt.)

Washington State Senate

The Senate will convene at 12:15 p.m., and immediately proceed to Joint Session to hear the State of the Judiciary address by Chief Justice Debra Stephens. Following the address, the Joint Session will dissolve, and the Senate will proceed in a pro forma session.

Business, Financial Services, & Trade, 8:00 a.m.

Chair: Kauffman

Ranking Member: Dozier

Seattle Members: Hasegawa

King County Members: Fortunato, Kauffman (chair), Stanford

On the agenda:

1. Briefing: State Lottery overview
2. Briefing: Gambling Commission overview
3. Briefing: Horse Racing Commission overview

Following the briefings, the committee will proceed to executive session to consider the following bills and Joint Memorial. The committee may vote one or both bills, and possibly the Joint Memorial, out of committee.

1. S.B. 5016 (Concerning pre-arrangemnt funeral services, by Sen. Lovick.)
2. S.B. 5108 (Regulating service contracts and protection product guarantees, by Sen. Kauffman.)
3. S.J.M. 8005 (Requesting that Congress enact legislation that would reinstate the separation of commercial and investment banking functions that were in effect under the Glass-Steagall act, by Sen. Hasegawa.)

Environment, Energy, & Technology, 8:00 a.m.

Chair: Shewmake

Ranking Member: Boehnke

Seattle Members: none

King County Members: Dhingra, Ramos, Slatter (vice chair), Wellman

On the agenda:

1. Briefing: Recycling Basics & Benefits
2. H.B. 5045 (Expanding the State Battery Stewardship Program to include electric vehicle batteries, by Sen. Jeff Wilson.)

Human Services, 8:00 a.m.

Chair: Claire Wilson

Ranking Member: Christian
Seattle Members: Frame (vice chair)

King County Members: Orwall, Claire Wilson (chair)

On the agenda:

1. S.B. 5149 (Expanding the Early Childhood Court Program, by Sen. Cortes.)
2. S.B. 5163 (Modernizing the Child Fatality Statute, by Sen. Orwall.)
3. S.B. 5232 (Updating eligible uses for the Essential Needs and Housing Support Program, by Sen. Claire Wilson, by request of the Dept. of Commerce.)

Following public hearing on the above bills, the committee will proceed to executive session to consider the following bills, and may vote to move a bill/bills out of committee.

1. S.B. 5029 (Concerning the transportation of individuals released or discharged from the custody of the Dept. of Corrections, by Sen. Claire Wilson.)
2. S.B. 5032 (Expanding the duties of the Office of the Family & Children's Ombuds to include juvenile rehabilitation facilities operated by the Dept. of Children, Youth, & Families, by Sen. Claire Wilson.)
3. S.B. 5052 (Modifying law enforcement ability to contact juvenile witnesses and victims not suspected of criminal involvement or activity, by Sen. Salomon.)
4. S.B. 5079 (Addressing the burden of unintentional overpayments on older adults and adults with disabilities served by the Dept. of Social & Health Services, by Sen. Muzzall, by request of the Dept. of Social & Health Services.)
5. S.B. 5082 (Creating a Housing Assistance Program for youth enrolled in Extended Foster Care, by Sen. Claire Wilson.)
6. S.B. 5103 (Expediting review of sentences when there exists a pending deportation proceeding, by Sen. Hasegawa.)
7. S.B. 5128 (Concerning the provision of medical assistance to individuals in juvenile detention facilities, by Sen. Claire Wilson.)
8. S.B. 5131 (Accommodating religious foods in state correctional facilities, by Sen. Claire Wilson.)
9. S.B. 5199 (Providing compensation to members of the Dept. of Children, Youth, & Families Oversight Board with direct lived experience, by Sen. Claire Wilson.)
10. S.B. 5214 (Concerning mobile market programs, by Sen. Shewmake.)
11. S.B. 5266 (Concerning the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board, by Sen. Frame.)

Early Learning & K-12 Education, 1:30 p.m.

Chair: Wellman

Ranking Member: Harris

Seattle Members: none

King County Members: Wellman (chair), Claire Wilson (vice chair, early learning).

On the agenda:

1. S.B. 5187 (Providing adequate and predictable student transportation, by Sen. Wellman.)
2. S.B. 5192 (Concerning school district materials, supplies, and operating costs, by Sen. Nobles.)
   
3. S.B. 5263 (Concerning special education funding, by Sen. Pedersen.)
4. S.B. 5307 (Concerning special education funding, by Sen. Wellman, by request of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.)

Housing, 1:30 p.m.

Chair: Bateman

Ranking Member: Goehner

Seattle Members: Salomon

King County Members: Goehner (ranking), Orwall

On the agenda:

The committee will consider S.B. 5129 (Concerning common interest communities, by Sen. Pedersen), and may vote to pass it out of committee.

Following consideration of S.B. 5129, the committee will hear public testimony on S.B. 5222 (Capping increases on rent, and for other purposes, by Sen. Trudeau)

United States House of Representatives

The House convenes at 10:00 a.m./7:00 a.m., then proceeds to Legislative Business at noon/9:00 a.m.

The House will consider the following bills during Legislative Business:

1. H.Res. 53 (Providing for consideration of S. 5 Laken Riley Act and H.R. 471 Fix Our Forests Act.
2. S. 5 Laken Riley Act (by Sen. Britt of Alabama.)

S. 5 Laken Riley Act will be debated for about one hour (with Republicans and Democrats each given 30 minutes), before the House votes on final passage.

The following bills may also be voted on after voting on the previous bills:

1. H.R. 165 Wounded Knee Massacre & Sacred Sit Act (by Rep. Johnson of South Dakota.)
2. H.R. 375 Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act (by Rep. Tokuda.)

Homeland Security, 10:00 a.m./7:00 a.m.

Chair: Mark Green (Tennessee)
Ranking Member: Bennie Thompson (Mississippi)

Washington Members: None

On the agenda: 

Organizational meeting, no expected legislative action

Financial Services, 10:00 a.m./7:00 a.m.

Chair: French Hill (Arkansas)

Ranking Member: Maxine Waters (California)

Washington Members: None

On the agenda: 

Organizational meeting, no expected legislative action

Ways & Means, 10:00 a.m./7:00 a.m.

Chair: Jason Smith (Missouri)

Ranking Member: Richard Neal (Massachusetts)

Washington Members: Suzan DelBene (District 1)

On the agenda:

The Committee will hear testimony on matters pertaining to the Committee's jurisdiction from Representatives who are not members of the Committee.

For a full list of Representatives testifying today, click here (there's a lot). None of Washington's representatives are set to speak.

Transportation & Infrastructure, 10:00 a.m./7:00 a.m.

Chair: Sam Graves (Missouri)

Ranking Member: Rick Larsen (Washington)
Washington Members: Rick Larsen (District 2), Marilyn Strickland (District 10)

On the agenda:

Amending committee rules & appointing members to subcommittees.

Judiciary

Subcommittee: Immigration Integrity, Security, & Enforcement, 10:00 a.m./7:00 a.m.

Chair: Tom McClintock (California)

Ranking Member: Pramila Jayapal (Washington)

Washington Members: Pramila Jayapal (Seattle, ranking member)

On the agenda:

"Restoring Immigration Enforcement in America."

Witnesses:

1. John Fabbricatore, Visiting Fellow at the Heritage Foundation
2. Grant Newman, Dir. of Gov't Relations at the Immigration Accountability Project
3. Jessica Vaughan, Dir. of Policy Studies at the Center for Immigration Studies
4. David Bier, Dir. of Immigration Studies at the CATO Institute

United States Senate

The Senate will convene at 11:00 a.m./8:00 a.m.

Following remarks by Majority Leader John Thune and Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, the Senate will resume consideration of S. 6 Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (by Sen. Lankford of Oklahoma).

At approximately 2:00 p.m./11:00 a.m., the Senate will vote on whether or not to end debate on S. 6.

The Majority Leader has filed a motion to end debate on the following presidential nominations:

1. John Ratcliffe, Director of the CIA
2. Peter Hegseth, Secretary of Defense
3. Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security

Budget, 10:00 a.m./7:00 a.m.

Chair: Lindsey Graham (South Carolina)

Ranking Member: Jeff Merkley (Oregon)

Washington Member: Patty Murray

On the agenda:

Confirmation hearing for Russell Vought, nominee for Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Commerce, Science, & Transportation, 10:00 a.m./7:00 a.m.

Chair: Ted Cruz (Texas)

Ranking Member: Maria Cantwell (Washington)

On the agenda:

Confirmation hearing for Sean Duffy, nominee for Secretary of Transportation.

The President of the United States

The President has no public events.

However, the President is confirmed to attend the following meetings today:

1. An interview with Sean Hannity, to air tonight at 9:00 p.m./6:00 p.m.
2. A conference with Rep. Don Bacon (Nebraska), Rep. Mike Lawler (New York), and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (Pennsylvania).

BREAKING: Thomas appointed to WA State House

The King County Council has just voted to appoint Brianna Thomas to the State House, representing the 34th District. The seat was vacated by Emily Alvarado earlier today, after she was appointed to the State Senate. She was chosen over Seattle School Board President Gina Topp and Burien Deputy Mayor Sarah Moore.

Thomas currently serves as Senior Labour and Policy Advisor to Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, and has run numerous campaigns in the Seattle area, including her own in 2021.