The second half of the 2023 legislative session kicks into high gear in Week 10, as bills switch chambers, with the Senate holding public hearings on House bills and vice versa in the House. This week in the Senate will be highlighted by bills that protect reproductive rights, address Washington’s housing crisis and work to protect the most vulnerable kids living in our state.
GRADUATION PATHWAYS
Monday, March 13
1:30 p.m.
The Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee will hear public testimony on House Bill 1308, a bill sponsored by Rep. Monica Stonier, which offers students different pathways to graduation that apply real-world skills learned during the course of their educational careers. You can learn more on the bill here from KOZE. Watch on TVW.
ACCESS TO HEARING AIDS
Tuesday, March 14
8 a.m.
The Health & Long-Term Care Committee will hear public testimony on House Bill 1222, sponsored by Rep. Tina Orwall. The bill ensures large group health plans cover hearing aids. Watch on TVW.
HEALTH CARE DATA PRIVACY
Tuesday, March 14
10:30 a.m.
The Law & Justice Committee will hear public testimony on House Bill 1155, sponsored by Rep. Vandana Slatter. The bill will prohibit websites and apps from collecting sensitive health care information without the consent of the user. The bill is part of a larger push by Democrats to protect reproductive rights and choices in Washington. You can read more on the bill here from GeekWire. Watch on TVW.
STANDING UP FOR WASHINGTON’S MOST VULNERABLE KIDS
Tuesday, March 14
10:30 a.m.
The Human Services Committee will be busy Tuesday, holding a public hearing on several bills that will help the most vulnerable kids living in our state. House Bill 1405, sponsored by Rep. Emily Alvarado, prohibits the Dept. of Children, Youth and Families from garnishing Supplemental Security Income payments, which would otherwise go to kids in care of the agency. The money would instead help young people as they re-enter out-of-state care to prevent homelessness. House Bill 1406, sponsored by Rep. Julio Cortes, allows young people to stay in HOPE Centers for up to 90 days (current limit is 30 days) days if the shelter is unable to make contact with a parent or if the parent does not request the child return home. House Bill 1580, sponsored by Rep. Lisa Callan, requires the governor to maintain a Children and Youth Multisystem Care Coordinator to serve as a coordinating lead between agencies to care for kids in crisis with complex disorders. You can read more here on this issue from KATV. Watch on TVW.
CLIMATE RESILIENCY
Tuesday, March 14
10:30 a.m.
The Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs Committee will hear public testimony on House Bill 1181, sponsored by Rep. Davina Duerr. The bill adds climate resiliency as a goal of the Growth Management Act and adds climate-related provisions to the mandatory elements of Comprehensive Plans. Taking this important step will help increase housing capacity while limiting greenhouse gas emissions in communities that have bore the brunt of the climate crisis. You can read more here from KNDO. Watch on TVW.
VOTING RIGHTS AND BILLY FRANK JR. DAY
Tuesday, March 14
1:30 p.m.
The State Government & Elections Committee will hear public testimony on House Bill 1639, sponsored by Rep. Debra Lekanoff. The bill will establish March 9 as Billy Frank Jr. Day and allow for the use of state dollars for the installment of a statue of the iconic treaty rights and environmental activist at the National Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol. You can read more here from KUOW about Frank and the bill. The committee will also consider HB 1048, sponsored by Rep. Sharlett Mena, which expands the Washington Voting Rights Act to empower historically marginalized communities and establish a more fair division of costs associated with changes to election systems. Watch on TVW.
HONORING THE PAST
Wednesday, March 15
10:30 a.m.
A joint session of the legislature will be held Wednesday morning, as the House and Senate pay tribute to all the senators and representatives who have passed away since 2019. Watch on TVW.
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS, HELP FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Thursday, March 16
8 a.m.
The Law & Justice Committee will hear from the public on House Bill 1469 and House Bill 1715, sponsored by Reps. Drew Hansen and Lauren Davis, respectively. HB 1469 establishes a “shield law” to protect out-of-state residents from criminal or civil sanction and prevent state cooperation with states that restrict access to abortion, gender-affirming care and other protected health care services. HB 1715 expands legal protections to victims of domestic violence and enhances protection orders. Watch on TVW.
WORKPLACE SAFETY
Thursday, March 16
8 a.m.
The Labor & Commerce Committee will hear public testimony on House Bill 1762, sponsored by Rep. Beth Doglio. The bill ensures Amazon and other large warehouses be transparent about the use of quotas, prohibit them from interfering with meal and rest breaks and exposure to health risks and safety hazards. You can read more here in a Seattle Times op-ed written by Rep. Doglio and Sen. Steve Conway. Watch on TVW.
HOUSING FOR ALL
Friday, March 17
10:30 a.m.
The Housing Committee will hear public testimony on House Bill 1110, the Missing Middle housing bill. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jessica Bateman, will authorize cities to change zoning laws to allow for the construction of a variety of different types of residences in addition to single-family homes. Watch on TVW.
