The Senate will be hard at work Monday and Tuesday finishing its work on the floor ahead of Tuesday’s 5 pm chamber of origin cutoff. Committee work will resume on Wednesday as House bills begin to have public hearings in Senate committees.
SINCE TIME IMMEMORIAL EDUCATION
Wednesday, Feb. 14
10:30 am
The Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee will hear public testimony on House Bill 1332. Requires the Since Time Immemorial curriculum be taught in Washington schools so that students in our state learn the full history and culture of Native American tribes living in Washington. Watch on TVW.
REVENUE FORECAST
Wednesday, Feb. 14
11 am
Key information needed to help budget writers finish their work will be revealed Wednesday as the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council will meet and share revenue projections. Watch on TVW.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
Wednesday, Feb. 14
11:45 am
Senate and House Democratic leadership will host a post-cutoff media availability on Wednesday. Watch on TVW.
JUSTICE REFORM
Thursday, Feb. 15
8 am
The Law & Justice Committee will hear public testimony on House Bill 1579, sponsored by Rep. Monica Stonier. The bill establishes the Office of Independent Prosecutions (OIP), led by an independent counsel, as a separate division within the Office of the Attorney General. You can learn more here from the Washington State Standard. Watch on TVW.
KEEPING KIDS SAFE
Thursday, Feb. 15
8 am
The Human Services Committee will hear public testimony on House Bill 2224, sponsored by Rep. Alicia Rule. The bill would modernize Washington’s risk assessment tools for child abuse and neglect referrals to better protect kids from dangerous situations. Watch on TVW.
AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE
Thursday, Feb. 15
10:30 am
The Health & Long Term Care Committee will hear public testimony on House bills aimed at reducing health care costs. HB 1508, sponsored by Rep. Nicole Macri, will improve affordability through additional measures to make health care costs more transparent. HB 1979, sponsored by Rep. Dave Paul, caps out-of-pocket costs for inhalers and two-packs of EpiPens at $35 each. Watch on TVW.
PROTECTING ANIMALS
Thursday, Feb. 15
10:30
The Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade Committee will hear public testimony on House Bill 1097, which bans the sale of cosmetics tested on animals, with limited exceptions. Watch on TVW.
CAPITAL BUDGET
Thursday, Feb. 15
4 pm
The Ways & Means Committee will hear public testimony on the supplemental capital budget proposal, SB 5949. The capital budget invests in critical projects such as affordable housing, school construction, environmental cleanup and other quality-of-life investments in communities across Washington. Watch on TVW.