Politics Bulletin: 12 February 2025

The 12 February edition omits the Federal Sections.

Seattle City Council

Housing & Human Services Committee, 9:30 a.m.

Chair: Cathy Moore (5/North)

Vice Chair: Mark Solomon (2/Southeast)

Members: Sara Nelson (Citywide), Alexis Rinck (Citywide), Rob Saka (1/Southwest).

On the agenda:

1. 7 Appointments & Re-Appointments
1. Jennifer LaBrecque, Housing Levy Oversight Committee (A-03072)
2. Miranda Catsambas, Human Rights Commission (A-03073)
3. Phillip Lewis, Human Rights Commission (A-03074)
4. Goutham Putta, Human Rights Commission (A-03075)
5. Robert Cook, Pacific Hospital Preservation & Development Authority (PDA) Governing Council (A-03076)
6. Paul Feldman, Pacific Hospital PDA Governing Council (A-03077)
7. Douglass Jackson, Pacific Hospital PDA Governing Council (A-03078)
2. Briefing: 2025 Workplan, Office of Civil Rights (Commissions)

Parks, Public Utilities, & Technology Committee, 2:00 p.m.

Chair: Joy Hollingsworth (3/East Central)
Vice Chair: Sara Nelson (Citywide)

Members: Robert Kettle (7/West Central & Downtown), Maritza Rivera (4/Northeast), Dan Strauss (6/Northwest).

On the agenda:

1. 12 Appointments & Re-Appointments
1. Eric Howard, Central Waterfront Oversight Committee (A-03053)
2. Pamela Quadros, Central Waterfront Oversight Committee (A-03054)
3. Michelle Rusk, Central Waterfront Oversight Committee (A-03055)
4. Leslie Veloz, Central Waterfront Oversight Committee (A-03056)
5. Katie Garrow, Central Waterfront Oversight Committee (A-03057)
6. Emily Hoober George, Central Waterfront Oversight Committee, (A-03058)
7. Shawn Jackson, Central Waterfront Oversight Committee (A-03059)
8. Gerry Johnson, Central Waterfront Oversight Committee (A-03060)
9. Edward Leigh, Central Waterfront Oversight Committee (A-03061)
10. Jim Rowe, Central Waterfront Oversight Committee (A-03062)
11. Craig Schafer, Central Waterfront Oversight Committee (A-03063)
12. Donny Stevenson, Central Waterfront Oversight Committee (A-03064)
2. CB 120939 (Theatre Puget Sound license agreement, by CM Hollingsworth.)
3. Briefing: 2025 Grant Applications (Seattle Parks & Recreation)

King County Council

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

Chair: Rod Dembowski (1/North)

Vice Chair: Jorge Barón (4/Northwest Seattle)

Members: Balducci (6/Eastside), Mosqueda (8/Western Seattle & Vashon), Perry (Northeast), Quinn (5/West Central), Zahilay (2/North- & Southeast Seattle)

1. Briefing: 2026-27 Budget preview
2. Briefing: Proposed Renewal: Parks Levy

Regional Policy Committee, 3:00

Chair: Peter von Reichbauer (7/Southwest)

Vice Chair: Mayor Nancy Backus (Auburn)

King County Council Members: Dembowski (1/North), Perry (3/Northeast), Zahilay (2/North- & Southeast Seattle)

Seattle Members: Moore (5/North), Rinck (Citywide), Nelson (Citywide), Solomon (2/Southeast)

Other City Council Members: CM Arnold (Kirkland), Mayor Birney (Redmond), Mayor Pavone (Redmond), Mayor Ralph (Kent), CM Srebnik (Kenmore)

On the agenda:

1. Resolution RPC2025-01: 2025 Work Plan
2. Briefing: Regional Horse Racing Industry
3. Briefing: Solid Waste Update
4. Briefing: Crisis Care Centers

Washington State House

The House meets for session and caucus at 10:30 and will adjourn at 12:25.

Committee Meetings

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

Chair: Kristine Reeves

Ranking Member: Tom Dent

Seattle Members: none

King County Members: Reeves (chair), Springer

On the agenda:

1. H.B. 1539 (Addressing wildfire protection and mitigation, by Rep. Reeves.)
2. H.B. 1563 (Establishing a Prescribed Fire Claims Fund pilot program, by Rep. Bernbaum.)
3. H.B. 1758 (Calculating the inflation rate for aquatic land leases, by Rep. Parshley.)
4. H.B. 1922 (Concerning hydraulic project approval mitigation after natural events, by Rep. Hunt.)

Following the public hearing the committee will consider the following two bills and may vote one or both out of committee.

1. H.B. 1553 (Extending the Dairy Inspection Program until 30 June 2031, by Rep. Richards.)
2. H.B. 1735 (Prohibiting the force-feeding of birds, by Rep. Parshley.)

Civil Rights & Judiciary, 8:00 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:

The committee will convene in executive session. The committee will consider the following two bills & may vote to pass one or both out of committee.

1. 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.)
2. H.B. 1361 (Updating process service requirements, by Rep. Hill, by request of the Secretary of State.)

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

1. H.B. 1635 (Concerning the composition of the boards of directors of consumer cooperatives and cooperative associations, by Rep. Ryu.)
2. H.B. 1897 (Concerning liability protections for community safety programs, by Rep. Obras.)
3. H.B. 1743 (Enhancing opportunities for community-based providers to provide healthcare services in carceral settings, by Rep. Simmons.)
4. H.B. 1909 (Establishing the Court Unification Task Force, by Rep. Taylor.)

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

Chair: Liz Berry

Ranking Member: Suzanne Schmidt

Seattle Members: Berry (chair), Scott

King County Member: Obras

On the agenda:

1. H.B. 1722 (Reviewing state restrictions affecting students participating in secondary career and technical education programs and other state-approved career pathways, by Rep. Connors.)
2. H.B. 1739 (Regulating the use of self-service checkout stations, by Rep. Fosse.)
3. H.B. 1788 (Concerning workers' compensation benefits, by Rep. Richards.)
4. H.B. 1821 (Expanding the definition of "Interested Party" for the purpose of prevailing wage laws, by Rep. Cortes.)
5. H.B. 1879 (Concerning meal and rest breaks for hospital workers, by Rep. Thomas.)

Local Government, 8:00 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. 1654 (Concerning the administration of the International Fire Code, by Rep. Donaghy.)
2. H.B. 1695 (Concerning unincorporated villages in the Growth Management Act, by Rep. Engell.)
3. H.B. 1854 (Authorizing subdivision of land in rural areas for families, by Rep. Engell.)

Following the public hearing, the committee may proceed to executive session, to consider the following three bills. If it does, the committee may vote some or all out of committee. If there will be no executive session, the committee will adjourn following the hearing on H.B. 1854.

1. H.B. 1135 (Ensuring that local government planning complies with the Growth Management Act, by Rep. Duerr.)
2. H.B. 1529 (Increasing opportunities for cities to utilize county resources for road construction & maintenance, by Rep. Griffey.)
3. H.B. 1353 (Establishing a self-certification program for accessory dwelling unit project permit applications, by Rep. Ramel.)

Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans, 8:00 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. 1738 (Ensuring access to state benefits and opportunities for veterans, uniformed service members, and military spouses, by Rep. Shavers.)

Following the hearing on H.B. 1738, 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. 1503 (Furthering digital equity and opportunity in Washington State, by Rep. Gregerson.)
2. H.B. 1595 (Creating a five-year statewide economic plan, by Rep. Ryu.)

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, Walen (chair)

On the agenda:

1. H.B. 1645 (Enhancing consumer protections for automobile insurance coverage, by Rep. Peterson.)
2. H.B. 1714 (Enabling opportunities for risk pooling by small businesses for property and liability risks, by Rep. Cortes.)
3. H.B. 1793 (Modifying reports of fire losses, by Rep. Griffey by request of the Insurance Commissioner.)

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

1. H.B. 1358 (Concerning employee ownership of licensed cannabis businesses, by Rep. Hackney.)
2. H.B. 1551 (Extending the Cannabis Social Equity Program, by Rep. Reeves.)
3. H.B. 1081 (Establishing consumer protections for owners of solicited real estate, by Rep. Donaghy.)

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), Goodman, Penner, Taylor

On the agenda:

1. H.B. 1033 (Authorizing local licensing and regulation of childcare providers, by Rep. Couture.)
2. H.B. 1363 (Modifying licensing requirements for childcare and early learning providers, by Rep. Caldier.)
3. H.B. 1660 (Reporting information related to racial disproportionality in child welfare, by Rep. Ortíz-Self.)
4. H.B. 1815 (Concerning prison riot offenses, by Rep. Peterson.)
5. H.B. 1919 (Modifying access to the Working Connections Childcare Program, by Rep. Bergquist, by request of the Governor.)

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. 1640 (Placing licenses issued in Chapters 18.71B and 18.71C RCW under the authority of the Uniform Disciplinary Act, by Rep. Zahn, by request of the Washington State Medical Commission.)
2. H.B. 1686 (Creating a Healthcare Entity Registry, by Rep. Bronoske.)
3. H.B. 1718 (Concerning wellbeing programs for certain healthcare professionals, by Rep. Thai.)
4. H.B. 1725 (Increasing access to biosimilar medicines, by Rep. Thai.)
5. H.B. 1766 (Prohibiting certain contracting practices by a health carrier acting as a third-party administrator for self-insured coverage offered to public employees, by Rep. Macri.)

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

1. H.B. 1187 (Protecting patients involved in motor vehicle accidents from delayed ambulance bills, by Rep. Ryu.)
2. H.B. 1546 (Concerning general supervision of diagnostic radiologic technologists, therapeutic radiologic technologists, and magnetic resonance imaging technologists by licensed physicians, by Rep. Parshley.)
3. H.B. 1720 (Expanding the types of medication assistance that may be provided to residents of community-based care settings, by Rep. Schmick.)

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:

1. H.B. 1485 (Increasing the annual limit of services and activities fees at institutions of higher education, by Rep. Salahuddin.)
   
2. H.B. 1486 (Adding a student member to the State Board for Community & Technical Colleges, by Rep. Salahuddin.)
3. H.B. 1572 (Modifying higher education accreditation standards, by Rep. Pollet.)
4. H.B. 1705 (Convening a work group to study and recommend strategies to recruit, train, and retain large animal veterinarians, by Rep. Dent.)
5. H.B. 1762 (Prohibiting institutions of higher education from requiring students to live on campus, by Rep. Keaton.) 

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 for the purpose of considering the following three bills. The committee may vote some or all out of committee.

1. H.B. 1610 (Concerning the disclosure of critical energy infrastructure information, by Rep. Hunt, by request of the Dept. of Commerce.)
2. H.B. 1759 (Designating the twelfth day of December as The Day of the 12s, by Rep. Mena.)
3. H.C.R. 4403 (Renaming the Joel Pritchard State Library, by Rep. Tharinger.)

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

1. H.B. 1692 (Exempting certain data related to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Indian tribes from public inspection and copying, by Rep. Lekanoff
2. H.B. 1765 (Exempting email addresses of individuals who subscribe to regular communications and updates from local agencies, by Rep. Simmons.)
3. H.B. 1782 (Amending the timeline for reporting campaign contributions and expenditures, by Rep. Marshall.)

Appropriations, 4:00 p.m.

Chair: Timm Ormsby

Ranking Member: Travis 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:

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

1. H.B. 1473 (Making expenditures from the Budget Stabilization Account for Declared Catastrophic Events, by Rep. Gregerson, by request of the Office of Financial Management.)
2. H.B. 1489 (Adjusting implementation dates for programs related to early childhood education and childcare, by Rep. Ormsby, by request of the Office of Financial Management.)
3. H.B. 1606 (Concerning state employee access to peer-reviewed journals, by Rep. Engell.)

Following the executive session (or, immediately upon convening, if there will be no executive session), the committee will hear public testimony on the following four bills.

1. S.H.B. 1096 (Increasing housing options through lot splitting, by Rep. Barkis.)
2. S.H.B. 1195 (Concerning compliance with siting, development permit processes and standards, and requirements for permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, indoor emergency housing, or indoor emergency shelters, by Rep. Peterson.)
3. H.B. 1275 (Establishing department authority to ensure payment is received from the self-insured employer after a self-insured group or municipal employer has their self-insurer certification withdrawn, by Rep. Scott, by request of the Dept. of Labour & Industries.)
4. H.B. 1380 (Allowing objectively reasonable regulation of the utilization of public property, by Rep. Gregerson.)

Transportation, 4:00 p.m.

Chair: Jake Fey

Ranking Member: Andrew Barkis

Seattle Member: Reed (vice chair)

King County Members: Duerr, Entenman, Hunt, Taylor, Zahn

On the agenda:

1. H.B. 1653 (Concerning payments to tow truck operators for the release of vehicles to indigent citizens, by Rep. Donaghy.)

Washington State Senate

The Senate meets at 12:30 for Caucus & floor business.

Committee Meetings

Business, Financial Services, & Trade - [CANCELLED]

More info: Sen. Claudia Kauffman, Chairwoman

(360) 786-7692 or Email.

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

Chair: Sharon Shewmake

Ranking Member: Matt Boehnke

Seattle Members: none

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

On the agenda:

1. Briefing: Clean Buildings
2. S.S.B. 5190 (Allowing schools and school districts to request extensions to state energy performance standard deadlines for K-12 school buildings, by Sen. Wellman.)
3. S.B. 5514 (Increasing compliance pathways for the Clean Buildings Performance Standard, by Sen. Shewmake, by request of the Dept. of Commerce.)
4. S.B. 5671 (Modifying eligibility for the Broadband Service Expansion Grant & Loan Program, by Sen. Hansen.)
5. S.B. 5634 (Improving accessibility of community solar projects in Washington State, by Sen. Lovelett.)

Human Services, 8:00 a.m.

Chair: Claire Wilson

Ranking Member: Leonard Christian

Seattle Member: Frame (vice chair)

King County Members: Orwall, Claire Wilson (chair)

On the agenda:

1. Three gubernatorial appointments to the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board
1. Jeffrey Patnode (9108), Corey McNally (9125), Meghan Kelly-Stallings (9196).

Following the public hearing on the nominations, the committee will proceed to executive session, where the committee will further consider the following 13 bills and nominations. The committee may vote some or all out of committee.

1. S.B. 5052 (Modifying law enforcement ability to contact juvenile witnesses and victims not suspected of criminal involvement or activity, by Sen. Salomon.)
2. S.B. 5409 (Concerning a pilot program creating a healthier environment for correctional officers, Dept. of Corrections staff, and individuals within a correctional facility, by Sen. Claire Wilson.)
3. S.B. 5427 (Extending the program to address complex cases of children in crisis, by Sen. Claire Wilson.)
4. S.B. 5490 (Providing parameters for conducting searches of transgender and intersex individuals confined in a local jail in compliance with federal law, by Sen. Dhingra.)
5. S.B. 5499 (Codifying the Body Scanner Program at the Dept. of Corrections, by Sen. Christian.)
6. S.B. 5506 (Extending the effective date of licensing living accommodations for residential private schools, by Sen. Christian.)
7. S.B. 5508 (Concerning the Child Welfare Housing Assistance Program, by Sen. Krishnadasan.)
8. S.B. 5620 (Codifying the rights of children and youth in foster care, by Sen. Cleveland.)
9. S.B. 5643 (Expanding the purview of child fatality and near-fatality reviews, by Sen. Christian.)
10. Two nominations (Rhonda Salvesen 9175 & Aline Flower 9195) to the Clemency & Pardons Board.
11. S.G.A. 9216 (Timothy Lang to be Secretary of Corrections.)
12. S.G.A. 9222 (Tana Senn to be Secretary of Children, Youth, & Families.)

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

Chair: Lisa Wellman

Ranking Member: Paul Harris

Seattle Members: none

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

On the agenda:

1. S.B. 5545 (Exempting family home providers overseen and certified by a federal military service from childcare licensing, by Sen. Riccelli.)
2. S.B. 5655 (Concerning childcare centers operated in existing buildings, by Sen. Krishnadasan.)
3. S.B. 5567 (Expanding secondary training for careers in natural resources and conservation, by Sen. Nobles.)

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

1. S.B. 5358 (Concerning career and technical education in sixth grade, by Sen. Braun, by request of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.)
2. S.B. 5593 (Adjusting enrichment levies and local effort assistance, by Sen. Wellman.)
3. S.B. 5412 (Providing temporary interfund loans for school districts, by Sen. Robinson.)
4. S.B. 5500 (Modernizing reimbursement rates for the Working Connections Childcare Program, by Sen. Alvarado.)
5. S.B. 5386 (Supporting survivors of sexual assault in public elementary and secondary schools, by Sen. Orwall.)
6. S.G.A. 9217 (Michael MacKillop, to be Director of Services for the Blind.)

Housing, 10:30 a.m.

Chair: Jessica Bateman

Ranking Member: Keith Goehner

Seattle Members: Alvarado (vice chair), Salomon

King County Members: Goehner (ranking), Orwall

On the agenda:

1. H.B. 1075 (Expanding housing supply by supporting the ability of public housing authorities to finance affordable housing developments, by Rep. Walen.)
2. S.B. 5604 (Promoting transit-oriented development, by Sen. Liias.)
3. S.B. 5614 (Concerning impact fees, by Sen. Salomon.)
   
4. S.B. 5615 (Concerning project permit applications for residential housing units, by Sen. Salomon.)

Following the public hearing, the committee will proceed to executive session to consider two bills and the Preston nomination. The committee may vote one or both bills out of committee, in addition to the nomination.

1. S.B. 5470 (Establishing limitations on detached accessory dwelling units outside urban growth areas, by Sen. Goehner.)
2. S.B. 5496 (Preserving homeownership options by limiting excessive homebuying by certain entities, by Sen. Alvarado.)
3. S.G.A. 9181 (Michone Preston, to be a Housing Finance Commissioner.)