Politics Bulletin: 11 February 2025

The 11 February 2025 edition omits the WA Senate, US House, US Senate, and Presidential Schedule section due to schedule restraints and poor time management.

Seattle City Council

Public Safety Committee, 9:30 a.m.

Chair: Robert Kettle (7/West Central & Downtown)

Vice Chair: Rob Saka (1/Southwest)
Members: Joy Hollingsworth (3/East Central), Cathy Moore (5/North), Sara Nelson (Citywide).

1. Briefing: Update on Seattle Municipal Court
2. Briefing: Introduction to LEAD

Full Council, 2:00 p.m.

President: Sara Nelson (Citywide)

President pro tempore: Cathy Moore (5/North)

Members: Rob Saka (1/Southwest), Mark Solomon (2/Southeast), Joy Hollingsworth (3/East Central), Maritza Rivera (4/Northeast), Dan Strauss (6/Northwest), Robert Kettle (7/West Central & Downtown), Alexis Rinck (Citywide).

1. On the Consent Calendar:
1. Minutes (4 Feb. 2025)
2. CB 120940 (Paying claims made 27 Jan. - 31 Jan. 2025, by CM Strauss.)
3. CB 120937 (Sales & Use Tax Deferral, by CM Solomon.)
4. CB 120916 (Less-Lethal Weapons Reauthorization, by CM Kettle.)
1. Amendment A (Crowd management guidelines and other purposes, by CM Kettle.)
2. Amendment B (Blast ball usage required to be OK'd by Chief, by CM Kettle.)
3. Amendment C (Blast ball usage required to be OK'd by Mayor, by CM Moore.)
4. Amendment D (Blast ball deployment restrictions, by CM Moore.)
5. Amendment E (Community Police Commission recital, by CM Moore.)
6. Amendment F (Mutual Aid Officers must follow SPD policies, by CM Moore.)
7. Amendment G (Council approval required for changes to certain policies, by CM Moore.)
8. Amendment H (SPD required to identify & announce egress routes, by CM Rinck.)
9. Amendment I (Private right of action, by CM Rinck.)

King County Council

Government Accountability & Oversight Committee, 9:30 a.m.

Chair: Peter von Reichbauer (7/Southwest)

Vice Chair: Reagan Dunn (9/Southeast)

Members: Teresa Mosqueda (8/Western Seattle & Vashon), Sarah Perry (3/Northeast)

On the agenda:

1. Motion 2024-0382: Appointing Velma Veloria to the King County International Airport Roundtable, representing Beacon Hill (by CM Zahilay on behalf of Executive Constantine.)
2. Ordinance 2025-0048: Adopting the 2025 Voting Precincts of King County Revisions (by CM von Reichbauer.)
3. Briefing: Alternatives to Signature Verification Pilot Program
4. Briefing: 2024 Annual Report of the Citizens' Elections Oversight Committee.
5. Briefing: Audit Report: Opportunities for Improvement in Returned Check Fees, Collections

Full Council, 1:30 p.m.

Chair: Girmay Zahilay (2/North- & Southeast Seattle)

Vice Chairs: Sarah Perry (3/Northeast) & Reagan Dunn (9/Southeast)

Members: Claudia Balducci (6/Eastside), Jorge Barón (4/Northwest Seattle), Rod Dembowski (1/North), Teresa Mosqueda (8/Western Seattle & Vashon), De'Sean Quinn (5/West Central), Pete von Reichbauer (7/Southwest).

On the agenda:

1. Proclamation: Black History Month in King County, by CM Quinn
2. Ordinance 2025-0038: Annexation of 1.1 acres of land into the Northeast Sammamish Sewer & Water District, by CM Perry.
3. Motion 2024-0225 (Receipt of the 2023 Health Through Housing Annual Report, by CM Balducci.)
4. Appointments:
1. Richard Anderson, a professional historian, to the King County Landmarks Commission, by CM Perry on behalf of Executive Constantine. (2024-0378).
2. Cecelia Gunn, a local heritage organization representative, to the King County Landmarks Commission, by CM Quinn, on behalf of Executive Constantine and former CM Upthegrove. (2024-0379).
3. Laura Murphy, a professional archaeologist, to the King County Landmarks Commission, by CM Dunn, on behalf of Executive Constantine. (2024-0380).
4. Bethany Fackrell, to the King County Cultural Development Authority, by CM Perry, on behalf of Executive Constantine. (2024-0338).
5. Claire Sumadiwirya, to the King County Immigrant & Refugee Commission, by CM Balducci, on behalf of Executive Constantine. (2024-0413).
6. Maharshi Roy, to the King County Immigrant & Refugee Commission, by CM Dembowski, on behalf of Executive Constantine. (2024-0414).
7. Meron Girma, to the King County Immigrant & Refugee Commission, by CM Barón, on behalf of Executive Constantine. (2024-0415).
5. Motion 2025-0051: Appointing committees to write voter pamphlet statements for the 22 April 2025 Special Election regarding Ordinance 19884.

County Flood Control District, 1:30 p.m.

Chair: Reagan Dunn (9/Southeast)

Vice Chair: Sarah Perry (3/Northeast)

Members: Claudia Balducci (6/Eastside), Barón (4/Northwest Seattle), Dembowski (1/North), Mosqueda (8/Western Seattle & Vashon), Quinn (5/West Central), von Reichbauer (7/Southwest), Zahilay (North- & Southeast Seattle).

1. Resolution 2025-03-FCD: Agreement for Professional Services
2. Resolution 2025-02-FCD: Agreement for Project Manager Services
3. Motion FCD25-01: Organization

Washington State House

Meets for a pro forma session at 9:55.

Finance, 8:00 a.m.

Chair: April Berg

Ranking Member: Ed Orcutt

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

King County Members: Penner, Springer, Walen

On the agenda: 

1. H.B. 1356 (Concerning K-12 funding, by Rep. Bergquist.)
2. H.B. 1334 (Modifying the Annual Regular Property Tax Revenue Growth Limit, by Rep. Pollet
3. H.B. 1043 (Extending the Commute Trip Reduction Tax Credit, by Rep. Wylie.)
4. H.B. 1127 (Modifying provisions of the Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act, by Rep. Walen, by request of the Dept. of Revenue.)

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

1. H.B. 1040 (Concerning rental income received by people eligible for certain property tax exemption programs, by Rep. Doglio.)
2. H.B. 1106 (Recognizing the tremendous sacrifices made by our military veterans by phasing down the disability rating requirements to ensure more disabled veterans are eligible for property tax relief, by Rep. Barnard.)
3. H.B. 1488 (Concerning conservation district revenue limitations, by Rep. Berg.)

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

Chair: Kristine Reeves

Ranking Member: Tom Dent

Seattle Members: none

King County Members: Reeves (chair), Springer

On the agenda: 

1. H.B. 1553 (Extending the Dairy Inspection Program until 30 June 2031, by Rep. Richards.)
2. H.B. 1588 (Expanding opportunities for organic, regenerative, climate-smart, and sustainable producers, by Rep. Bernbaum.)
3. H.B. 1646 (Adding the Dept. of Natural Resources' civil enforcement decisions under RCW 76.04.205 to appeals that may be heard by the Pollution Control Hearings Board, by Rep. Ormsby, by request of the Dept. of Natural Resources.)
4. H.B. 1647 (Establishing surface mine reclamation permit fees, by Rep. Springer, by request of the Dept. of Natural Resources.)
5. H.B. 1775 (Prohibiting activities related to the production and manufacturing of fur productions, by Rep. Walen.)

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

1. H.B. 1153 (Concerning urban forest management ordinances, by Rep. Duerr.)
2. H.B. 1325 (Expanding enforcement options for certain fish and wildlife violations, by Rep. Goodman, by request of the Dept. of Fish & Wildlife.)

Civil Rights & Judiciary 10:30 a.m.

Chair: Jamila Taylor

Ranking Member: Jim Walsh

Seattle Member: Farivar (vice chair)

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

On the agenda: 

1. H.B. 1733 (Increasing the reimbursement cap for moving and relocation expenses incurred by persons affected by agency displacements, by Rep. Thomas.)
2. H.B. 1731 (Regarding unclaimed property held by a museum or historical society, by Rep. Waters.)
3. H.B. 1881 (Concerning material changes to the operations and governance structure of participants in the Healthcare Marketplace, by Rep. Taylor.)
4. H.B. 1056 (Concerning law enforcement and local corrections agency misconduct through investigations and legal actions, by Rep. Farivar.)

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

Chair: Liz Berry

Ranking Member: Suzanne Schmidt

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

King County Member: Obras

On the agenda: 

1. H.B. 1672 (Addressing technology used by employers in the workplace, by Rep. Kloba.)
2. H.B. 1682 (Concerning part-time workers in the Unemployment Insurance System, by Rep. Ortíz-Self.)
3. H.B. 1747 (Expanding protections for applicants and employees under the Washington Fair Chance Act, by Rep. Ortíz-Self.)
4. H.B. 1764 (Concerning labour standards, by Rep. Mena.)
5. H.B. 1843 (Concerning students' eligibility to receive unemployment insurance benefits, by Rep. Entenman.)

Local Government, 10:30 a.m.

Chair: Davina Duerr

Ranking Member: Mark Klicker

Seattle Members: none

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

On the agenda: 

1. H.B. 1690 (Assessing the state's existing water and sewer systems, by Rep. Wylie.)
2. H.B. 1814 (Streamlining certain decisions pertaining to the development or extension of a trail or path from the State Environmental Policy Act, by Rep. Fitzgibbon.)
3. H.B. 1700 (Concerning the timing of updates for comprehensive plans and development regulations, by Rep. Volz.)
4. H.B. 1798 (Enabling count auditors and county treasurers to have designees appointed to firefighters' pension boards, by Rep. Volz.)
5. H.B. 1818 (Concerning the administration of plats, by Rep. Penner.)

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

Chair: Cindy Ryu

Ranking Member: Stephanie Barnard

Seattle Members: Ryu (chair), Thomas

King County Members: Kloba (vice chair), Penner

On the agenda: 

1. H.B. 1816 (Concerning civilian-staffed crisis response teams, by Rep. Scott.)

Following the public hearing on H.B. 1816, the committee will proceed to executive session to consider the following three bills, and for a potential vote on moving some or all out of committee.

1. H.B. 1483 (Supporting the servicing and Right to Repair of certain products with digital electronics in a secure and reliable manner, by Rep. Gregerson.)
2. H.B. 1541 (Concerning the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, by Rep. Abell, by request of the Dept. of Veterans Affairs.)
3. H.B. 1625 (Supporting backcountry search and rescue search and rescue organizations and volunteers through the creation of the Backcountry Search & Rescue Grant Program, by Rep. Stuebe.)

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

Chair: Amy Walen

Ranking Member: Stephanie McClintock

Seattle Members: Berry, Ryu, Santos

King County Members: Kloba, Reeves, Steele

On the agenda: 

1. H.B. 1636 (Eliminating the Per Transaction Limit for wine and spirit sales, by Rep. Volz.)
2. H.B. 1698 (Updating liquor permit and licensing provisions, by Rep. Waters, by request of the Liquor & Cannabis Board.)
3. H.B. 1701 (Authorizing multiple liquor licensees to have licensed premises within a facility owned and leased out by another liquor licensee or person, by Rep. Steele.)
4. H.B. 1719 (Concerning events conducted by liquor manufacturers and retailers, by Rep. Abbarno.)
5. H.B. 1807 (Regarding catered events with alcohol, by Rep. Springer.)

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

1. H.B. 1347 (Concerning cannabis testing laboratories, by Rep. Reeves.)
2. H.B. 1515 (Modernizing the regulation of alcohol service in public spaces, by Rep. Reed.)
3. H.B. 1602 (Addressing food services options for liquor licensees, by Rep. Waters.)

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

Chair: Steve Bergquist

Ranking Member: Carolyn Eslick

Seattle Member: Bergquist (chair)

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

On the agenda: 

1. H.B. 1463 (Expanding time limit exemptions applicable to cash assistance programs, by Rep. Cortes.)
2. H.B. 1493 (Concerning the age at which clients of the Developmental Disabilities Administration may receive employment and community inclusion services, by Rep. Paul.)
3. H.B. 1509 (Concerning family reconciliation services, by Rep. Taylor.)
4. H.B. 1917 (Concerning management of individuals who are placed in juvenile rehabilitation institutions, by Rep. Callan.)

Healthcare & Wellness, 1:30 p.m.

Chair: Dan Bronoske

Ranking Member: Joe Schmick

Seattle Members: Davis, Macri

King County Members: Obras, Thai

On the agenda: 

1. H.B. 1422 (Modifying the Drug Take-Back Program, by Rep. Peterson, by request of the Dept. of Health.)
2. H.B. 1669 (Concerning coverage requirements for prosthetic limbs and custom orthotic braces, by Rep. Stonier.)
3. H.B. 1706 (Aligning the implementation of application programming interfaces for prior authorization with federal guidelines, by Rep. Simmons.)
4. H.B. 1720 (Expanding the types of medication assistance that may be provided to residents of community-based care settings, by Rep. Schmick.)
5. H.B. 1784 (Concerning certified medical assistants, by Rep. Marshall.)
6. H.B. 1813 (Concerning the reprocurement of medical assistance services, including the realignment of behavioural health crisis services for Medicaid enrollees, by Rep. Macri.)

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

Chair: Dave Paul

Ranking Member: Alex Ybarra

Seattle Members: Pollet, Reed, Thomas

King County Members: Entenman, Salahuddin

On the agenda: 

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

1. H.B. 1554 (Providing equity in eligibility for the College Bound Scholarship, by Rep. Timmons, by request of the State Board for Community & Technical Colleges.)
2. H.B. 1556 (Expanding tuition waivers for high school completers at community and technical colleges, by Rep. Entenman, by request of the State Board for Community & Technical Colleges.)
3. H.B. 1557 (Establishing the Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program and requiring student notifications, by Rep. Reed.)
4. H.B. 1565 (Continuing the Washington Dual Enrollment Scholarship, by Rep. Paul.)
5. H.B. 1587 (Encouraging local government partner promise scholarship programs within the Opportunity Scholarship Program, by Rep. Bergquist.)
6. H.B. 1657 (Establishing the Washington 13 Free Guarantee, by Rep. Bergquist.)

Following the executive session (or, immediately on convening, if there will not be an executive session), the committee will hear public testimony on the following two bills:

1. H.B. 1777 (Concerning the requirements and process for approving and registering apprenticeship programs, by Rep. Schmidt.)
2. H.B. 1783 (Concerning law enforcement officers participating in college and technical school programs, by Rep. Mendoza.)

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

Chair: Sharlett Mena

Ranking Member: Kevin Waters

Seattle Member: Farivar

King County Member: Stearns (vice chair)

On the agenda: 

The Committee will convene in executive session and consider the following four bills. The committee may vote to pass some or all out of committee.

1. H.B. 1196 (Revoking a person's voting rights only when convicted of a state crime punishable by death, by Rep. Simmons.)
2. H.B. 1448 (Increasing representation and voter participation in local elections, by Rep. Gregerson.)
3. H.B. 1710 (Concerning compliance with the Washington Voting Rights Act of 2018, by Rep. Mena.)
4. H.B. 1750 (Creating guidelines for voter suppression and vote dilution claims under the Washington Voting Rights Act, by Rep. Hill.)

Following the executive session, the committee will hear public testimony on the following three bills:

1. H.B. 1445 (Changing the State Holiday called Presidents' Day to George Washington's Birthday (Observed), by Rep. Abell.)
2. H.B. 1745 (Ensuring election integrity at the county level, by Rep. Chase.)
3. H.B. 1916 (Amending voter registration challenges and managing voter registration lists, by Rep. Doglio.)

Community Safety, 4:00 p.m.

Chair: Roger Goodman

Ranking Member: Jenny Graham

Seattle Members: Davis, Farivar

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

On the agenda: 

The committee will convene in executive session and consider the following five bills. The committee may vote some or all of the bills out of committee.

1. H.B. 1085 (Improving school safety by extending penalties for interference by, or intimidation by threat of, force or violence at schools and extracurricular activities and requiring schools to notify the public of such penalties, by Rep. Schmidt.)
2. H.B. 1110 (Vacating convictions for driving under the influence, by Rep. Ortíz-Self.)
3. H.B. 1232 (Concerning private detention facilities, by Rep. Ortíz-Self.)
4. H.B. 1265 (Concerning commercial sexual exploitation, by Rep. Stearns.)
5. H.B. 1457 (Requiring electronic monitoring of sexually violent predators granted conditional release, by Rep. Griffey.)

Following the executive session, the committee will hear public testimony on the following four bills.

1. H.B. 1139 (Promoting public safety and deterring unlawful firearm possession by increasing criminal penalties for unlawful possession of a firearm, by Rep. Low.)
2. H.B. 1591 (Providing remedies for defendant-survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking, by Rep. Taylor.)
3. H.B. 1736 (Concerning procedures and requirements for reporting and investigating missing persons, by Rep. Lekanoff.)
4. H.B. 1829 (Concerning tribal warrants, by Rep. Lekanoff.)

Education, 4:00 p.m.

Chair: Sharon Tomiko Santos

Ranking Member: Skyler Rude

Seattle Members: Bergquist, Pollet, Santos, Scott

King County Members: Callan, Reeves, Steele

On the agenda: 

1. H.B. 1167 (Directing the Statewide Career & Technical Education Task Force to consider educational opportunities for careers in maritime professions, by Rep. Shavers.)
2. H.B. 1414 (Improving access to career opportunities for students, by Rep. Connors.)
3. H.B. 1662 (Removing the requirements for certain education agencies to reside in the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for administrative purposes and by making other necessary changes to support independent administration of each agency, by Rep. Santos.)
4. H.B. 1830 (Concerning record checks for certain volunteers and contractors who will have access to children or persons with developmental disabilities, by Rep. Richards.)
5. H.B. 1832 (Improving student performance and success, by Rep. Keaton.)

Environment & Energy, 4:00 p.m.

Chair: Beth Doglio

Ranking Member: Mary Dye

Seattle Members: Berry, Fitzgibbon, Street

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

On the agenda: 

1. H.B. 1756 (Concerning lead in cookware, by Rep. Street.)
2. H.B. 1819 (Increasing transmission capacity, by Rep. Barnard.)
3. H.B. 1857 (Concerning asbestos-containing building materials, by Rep. Ley.)

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

1. H.B. 1150 (Improving Washington's solid waste management outcomes, by Rep. Berry.)
2. H.B. 1071 (Implementing strategies to achieve higher recycling rates within Washington's existing solid waste management system, by Rep. Fey.)
3. H.B. 1303 (Increasing environmental justice by improving government decisions, by Rep. Mena.)
4. H.B. 1615 (Increasing consistency in the classifications of water systems, by Rep. Caldier.)
5. H.B. 1670 (Increasing transparency regarding sewage-containing spills, by Rep. Hunt.)

Housing, 4:00 p.m.

Chair: Strom Peterson

Ranking Member: Sam Low

Seattle Members: Reed, Thomas

King County Members: Entenman, Gregerson, Zahn

On the agenda: 

The committee will convene in executive session to consider the following bills. The committee may vote some or both out of committee.

1. H.B. 1491 (Promoting transit-oriened housing development, by Rep. Reed.)
2. H.B. 1500 (Concerning resale certificates for units in common interest communities, by Rep. Reed.)
3. H.B. 1501 (Concerning inquiries into association governance or operations by unit owners in common interest communities, by Rep. Reed.)
4. H.B. 1542 (Concerning senior independent housing, by Rep. Reeves.)
5. H.B. 1687 (Concern social housing public development authorities, by Rep. Reed.)