Senate committees will be hard at work passing bills this week with policy cutoff arriving Friday. The Senate will also return to the floor on Wednesday and Senate budget writers will announce their ideas for the 2021-23 Operating budget on Thursday.

FAIR START FOR KIDS ACT

Senator Claire Wilson speaks into a microphone while wearing an N95 mask in the senate chambers in Olympia
Sen. Claire Wilson (D-Federal Way), sponsor of the Senate companion to the Fair Start of Kids Act.

Monday, March 22
1:30 p.m.

The Early Learning & K-12 Committee will hold a public hearing on House Bill 1213, the Fair Start for Kids Act, a policy which would open up access to childcare and early learning programs for kids across Washington. The policy would be paid for through the capital gains tax (SB 5096). HB 1213 passed the House 58-38 on March 9. Here’s more information on the Fair Start for Kids Act and Capital Gains from the Spokesman Review.

Watch live on TVW.

SDC MEDIA AVAILABILITY

Senator Rebecca Saldana and Senator Andy Billig answer questions from the media in olympia
Sens. Rebecca Saldaña (D-Seattle) and Andy Billig (D-Spokane) take questions from the media.

Monday, March 22
2:15 p.m.

Leadership from the Senate Democratic Caucus will answer questions from the media on Monday.

Watch live on TVW.

STOPPING PUPPY MILLS

House Bill 1424 aims to stop the flow of dogs and cats into Washington from out-of-state puppy mills.

Tuesday, March 23
8 a.m.

The Committee on Business, Financial Services & Trade will hear public testimony on House Bill 1424, blocking the expansion of retail sales of dogs and banning retail sales of cats. This is an effort to stop the puppy-mill-to-pet-store pipeline of dogs and cats into Washington from outside the state. You can read more about the issue here from KIRO TV. The bill passed the House on March 7, 68-30.

Watch live on TVW.

TRANSPORTATION BUDGET

Senator Steve Hobbs presides over the senate from the rostrum in olympia
Sen. Steve Hobbs (D-Lake Stevens), Chair of the Transportation Committee.

Tuesday, March 23
4 p.m.

The Transportation Committee will hear public testimony on Senate Bill 5165, the 2021-23 Transportation Budget.

Watch live on TVW.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Rep. Marcus Riccelli, sponsor of HB 1152.

Wednesday, March 24
8 a.m.

The Health & Long Term Care Committee will hear public testimony on House Bill 1152, which would establish comprehensive health service districts across Washington. The bill cleared the House on a 56-41 vote on March 8. You can read more about this policy here from the Bellevue Reporter.

Watch live on TVW.

FLOOR ACTION

Washington State Senate floor debate, Feb. 2021
The Washington State Senate convenes for floor debate, February 17, 2021.

Wednesday, March 24
1:30 p.m.

The Senate will be in action Wednesday afternoon.

Watch live on TVW.

2021-23 OPERATING BUDGET

Sen. Christine Rolfes, Chair of the Ways & Means Committee and head budget writer, will answer questions about the budget Thursday.

Thursday, March 25
1 p.m.

Senate budget writers will unveil the 2021-23 Operating Budget, Senate Bill 5092, during a press availability.

Watch live on TVW.