Criminal Justice
HB 1125. Judicial Discretion Act
Permits persons convicted of a felony to petition the sentencing court for a modification of the original sentence in the interest of justice, depending on age when the offense was committed and the years served. Judges may use the disciplinary and rehabilitative record, risk for future violence, and impact on victims.
HB 1178: Unstacking Sentencing Enhancements
Enhancementsto base sentences, now mandatory, can add many years in prison, generating excessive time in prison and pronounced racial inequity. HB 1178 would permit judicial discretion concerning the stacking of most such enhancements, so that they could be served concurrently rather than consecutively.
HB 1274: Resentencing without Juvenile Offenses
A law passed several years ago specifies that in the future, certain specified previous convictions as a juvenile will not be counted in determining the length of a sentence. HB 1274 would make that law retro-active, i.e., sentences would be recalculated for persons already incarcerated when that law was passed.
Economic Justice
HB 2100/ SB 6093. Well Washington Fund
Would establish a payroll tax on large employers only, taxing the wages above the threshold of the medicare tax. Employees would not pay. Will establish a fund to support housing, healthcare, schools and food security, focusing on replacing funds lost due to federal cuts.
HB 2489. Preventing the Criminalizing of Homelessness (the Shelter not Penalties Act)
Prohibits local jurisdictions from criminalizing life-sustaining activities such as sleeping or resting in public when adequate shelter is not available and redirects resources away from punishment and toward services and housing solutions.
HB 5946. Expanding Medicaid
By July 2027, the health care authority shall develop and submit a state plan amendment to the federal Medicare program to allow individuals who have income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level to enroll in the medical assistance program (Apple Health).
Environmental Stewardship
Adds environmental justice to the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review process. Requires SEPA lead agencies to complete an environmental justice impact statement for potentially impactful projects in certain communities. Prohibits certain new air contaminant sources located in specified communities.
HB 1607/ SB 5502: Bottles and Cans Recycling Refund Act (Bottle Bill)
Increases recycling and reduces litter by creating a deposit/refund system. Beverage brands must create an organization to fund implementation of the program and meet certain redemption and reuse rates as well as fund convenient drop-off locations. [Dave Godfrey]
HB 1673/ SB 5466: Improve Reliability and Capacity of Electric Transmission System
Remove barriers to a decarbonized energy future by addressing urgent needs for the electric grid.
OPPOSE HB 2103/ SB 6004: Broaden Green Energy to Include Nuclear — sign on CON
Would allow cities, utilities, and others to contract for electricity from nuclear power at uncapped rates and obligates them to pay even if the projects produce no energy or are never completed. Similar provisions caused the 1982 WPPSS default and recently cost South Carolinians $9 billion for a failed reactor project.
Gender Justice
HB 1072 Preserving Access to Protected Health Care Services
Preserving access to protected health care 1 services by requiring department of health review of certain health care business transactions which could affect access to protected health care services. Gives Department of Health authority to approve or deny health care business transactions.
SB 6081 Protecting Privacy of Sex Designation.
Exempts sex designation information as part of vital records and records managed by the Department of Licensing from public disclosure. Protecting Washingtonians from unauthorized disclosure of sex designation information and historic sex designation changes in official government records.
Indigenous Issues
HB 1894/ SB 5570.Supporting Public School Instruction in Indian Tribes.
Creates a division of Indian education in the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to help school districts meet the educational needs of American Indian and Alaska Native students with curricular materials and support services, faculty development, and collecting relevant data.
Immigrant Protection
HB 2105/ SB 5852. Immigrant Worker Protection Act
Requires employers to notify workers when federal officials request employment eligibility information and prohibits employers from voluntarily granting immigration agents access to non-public areas of a workplace without a warrant.
HB 2173/ SB 5855 Prohibiting Facemasks in Law Enforcement
Would ban state and federal law enforcement officers from wearing face-concealing masks in routine public interactions, ensuring greater accountability.
Budget priorities
- Progressive revenue
- Protect the Climate Commitment Act funds
- Protect immigrants in the safety net programs