Senate takes on critical issues as session moves into fourth week

OLYMPIA — The fourth week of the 105-day legislative session will begin with Gov. Jay Inslee signing House Bill 1064, the bipartisan compromise fix for Initiative 940. Senate committees will continue to hold hearings on orca habitat, early education, voting access, and more. 

Last week, the Senate held its first significant floor votes of the session, including the formal adoption of new rules that will protect people who work at the Capitol from inappropriate behavior. A measure that will move Washington’s presidential primary to the second Tuesday of March passed by 29-18 vote, giving voters here greater influence on our presidential election process. That bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

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What to watch this week

BILL SIGNING, HOUSE BILL 1064
Monday, Feb. 4 @ 3:30 p.m.

Gov. Inslee will sign this modification to Initiative 940, which addresses police officer training and deadly force standards. 

EARLY LEARNING & K-12 COMMITTEE
Monday, Feb. 4 @ 1:30 p.m.

The Senate will consider SB 5437 which will expand access to early childhood education programs for vulnerable populations

MEDIA AVAILABILITY
Tuesday, Feb. 4 @ 11 a.m.

Democratic leaders from the Senate and House will meet with the media to provide an update on the legislative session.

LAW & JUSTICE COMMITTEE
Tuesday, Feb. 5 @ 10 a.m.

In October, the State Supreme Court struck down the state’s death penalty law, ruling it “arbitrary and racially biased.” Lawmakers will now consider SB 5339 to officially clear the law from the books.

AG & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Tuesday, Feb. 5 @ 1:30 p.m.

SB 5404 and SB 5580 would implement a more complete strategy for improving forage fish populations in our state’s waters (crucial for orca and salmon recovery), including habitat restoration efforts.

WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE
Tuesday, Feb. 5 @ 3:30 p.m.

The Senate’s fiscal committee will hold a hearing on legislation to make prepaid postage for ballots in Washington permanent (SB 5063).

K-12 EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Wednesday, Feb. 6 @ 1:30 p.m.

SJR 8201 would amend the state constitution to allow a simple majority, rather than a 60 percent requirement, to authorize school district bonds.

LABOR & COMMERCE COMMITTEE
Thursday, Feb. 7 @ 8 a.m.

Lawmakers will hear testimony on SB 5438, a bill to clarify the state’s role in the H-2A temporary visa program that allows migrant workers to enter the United States in order to perform temporary or seasonal agricultural work.

STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
Friday, Feb. 8 @ 1:30 p.m.

Former Gov. Gary Locke returns for a discussion about the 2020 census. The committee will also hold a public hearing on three bills (SB 5139, SB 5140, SB 5250) that concern daylight savings time. 

JOINT LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Friday, Feb. 8 @12:15 p.m.

British Columbia Premier John Horgan will address a joint session of the House and Senate.

Click here to access the entire schedule of Senate hearings.