The 2024 session gets underway with a first week packed with important public hearings on bills that will strengthen voting security, increase housing options, make life-saving EpiPens far more affordable and so much more.
OPENING CEREMONIES
Monday, Jan. 8
Noon
The 60-day 2024 legislative session officially kicks off with opening ceremonies. Watch on TVW.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Tuesday, Jan. 9
8 am
The Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs Committee will hear from the public on Senate Bill 5901, which makes it simpler to create co-living housing, which refers to a type of housing where residents share facilities like kitchens but have separate bedrooms. This is the latest in a long line of policy changes and investments to address the housing crisis. Watch on TVW.
EMPOWERING WORKERS
Tuesday, Jan. 9
10:30 am
Striking workers pay into the state’s unemployment insurance system, so shouldn’t they receive unemployment during a strike? Senate Bill 5777 would allow for that to happen. This is similar to a bill that was considered in the Pennsylvania legislature last year. Watch on TVW.
STATE OF THE STATE
Tuesday, Jan. 9
Noon
Gov. Jay Inslee will deliver the final state of the state address of his long career to a joint session of the Legislature on the House floor. Watch on TVW.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
Tuesday, Jan. 9
1 pm-ish
Democratic Leadership from the House and Senate will answer press questions Tuesday. (NOTE: The availability will start approximately five minutes after the Republican response to the state of the state.) Watch on TVW.
ACCESS TO DEMOCRACY
Tuesday, Jan. 9
1:30 pm
The State Government & Elections Committee will hear public testimony on Senate Bill 5890, which will make policy changes to lower the ballot rejection rate. You can read more about that issue from Crosscut. The committee will also hear from the public on SB 5843, which strengthens election cybersecurity. You can read more here from the Spokesman Review. Watch on TVW.
GOVERNOR’S BUDGET
Tuesday, Jan. 9
4 pm
The Ways & Means Committee will hear Senate Bill 5950, Gov. Inslee’s supplemental budget proposal. Watch on TVW.
REGULATING AI
Wednesday, Jan. 10
8 am
The Environment, Energy & Technology Committee will consider SB 5838, which will establish an artificial intelligence task force to assess trends and make recommendations for the use and regulations of AI. Watch on TVW.
SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION, MORE PARAEDUCATORS
Wednesday, Jan. 10
10:30 am
The Early Learning & K-12 Committee will hear from the public on two critically important issues. Senate Bill 5823 and Senate Joint Resolution 8207 will lower the threshold for voters to approve school construction measures from 60 percent to a simple majority. The committee will also hear SB 5882, which will increase funding for more paraeducators in classrooms to better meet Washington’s students’ needs. Watch on TVW.
AFFORDABLE EPIPENS
Thursday, Jan. 11
10:30 am
Following a permanent $35 cap on the cost of insulin passed in 2023, Sen. Karen Keiser is sponsoring Senate Bill 5775 to cap the out-of-pocket cost of EpiPens at $60 for a two pack of the life-saving devices. Watch on TVW.
KEEPING STUDENTS SAFE FROM DANGEROUS NARCOTICS
Thursday, Jan. 11
1:30 pm
The Early Learning & K-12 Committee will take public testimony on two potentially life-saving policies to help protect Washington students from the opioid abuse. Senate Bill 5804 will ensure Narcan, which reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, is available in all Washington high schools. SB 5923, sponsored by Sen. Lisa Wellman, will provide schools with updated substance abuse prevention education materials, including information on fentanyl and other opioids. Watch on TVW.
PROTECTING POLLINATORS
Thursday, Jan. 11
1:30 pm
The Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks Committee will hear public testimony on Senate Bill 5972, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias, which will protect bees by limiting the use of pesticides for non-agricultural use. Watch on TVW.
ENVIRONMENTALLY-RESPONSIBLE FASHION
Friday, Jan. 12
8 am
The fashion industry is responsible for 1.2 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. Fast fashion — clothes produced quickly and cheaply to mimic the latest fashions — is a big contributor to that figure. The Environment, Energy & Technology Committee will hear Senate Bill 5965, sponsored by Sen. Joe Nguyễn, which will require fashion retail sellers and manufacturers to disclose what they’re doing to reduce their carbon footprint. Watch on TVW.
CLIMATE COMMITMENT ACT
Friday, Jan. 12
8 am
The Environment, Energy & Technology Committee will hear public testimony on Senate Bill 6058, which will enable Washington to link its carbon market with California’s and Quebec’s to create a larger and more stable carbon market. Watch on TVW.
RENT STABILIZATION
Friday, Jan. 12
10:30 am
The Housing Committee will hear public testimony on Senate Bill 5961, which will providers people with more certainty about the cost of their rent. The bill prohibits landlords from increasing rent more than once every 12-month period and by more than 5% during any 12-month period for month-to-month and long-term leases. Watch on TVW.
