Happy Monday! We are now a little more of a third of the way through the 2025 legislative session. Friday marks policy cutoff, meaning policy bills not yet voted out of committee by day’s end are done for the year. Policy committees will be busy ahead of that deadline, primarily voting bills out, but others will hold public hearings on topics such as affordable housing, reproductive rights and worker safety.

BAIL BOND ACCOUNTABILITY

Sen. Yasmin Trudeau, sponsor of SB 5714.

10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 17

The Law & Justice Committee will hear public testimony on Senate Bill 5714, sponsored by Sen. Yasmin Trudeau. The bipartisan bill makes enforcement of civil immigration warrants a violation of professional conduct for bail bond recovery agents operating in Washington. Watch on TVW.

CHILDREN’S DAY 2025

Children's Day 2025 is Monday.

12:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17

Kids of all ages will descend on Olympia Monday for the Legislature’s annual Children’s Day festivities. Senators and staff will welcome their kids to the Capitol for the day, where they’ll get a firsthand look at the legislative process, including the reading of a resolution on the Senate floor. Watch on TVW.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Sen. Marcus Riccelli, sponsor of SB 5662.

1:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17

The Local Government Committee will hear public testimony on Senate Bill 5662, sponsored by Sen. Marcus Riccelli. The bill waives utility connection fees for emergency shelters, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, and affordable housing, speeding up construction without straining local budgets. Watch on TVW.

REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM

Sen. Emily Alvarado, sponsor of SB 5498.

10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18

The Health & Long-Term Care Committee will hear public testimony on Senate Bill 5498, sponsored by Sen. Emily Alvarado. The bill allows patients to receive a full year’s supply of birth control upfront, not just through refills. Watch on TVW.

PROTECTING WORKING KIDS

Sen. Derek Stanford, sponsor of SB 5756.

10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18

The Labor & Commerce Committee will hear public testimony on Senate Bill 5756, sponsored by Sen. Derek Stanford. The bill will strengthen Washington’s labor laws to protect young people in the workforce. Watch on TVW.

MEDIA AVAILABILITY

Democratic leaders will answer questions from the media Tuesday.

10:45 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18

House and Senate Democratic leaders will answer questions from the media Tuesday. Watch on TVW.

HOUSING

Sen. Vandana Slatter, sponsor of SB 5725.

10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19

The Housing Committee will hear public testimony on Senate Bill 5725, sponsored by Sen. Vandana Slatter. The bill allows community colleges to lease underutilized land for permanently affordable workforce housing, benefiting public employees, frontline workers, faculty, staff, and students — ensuring those who serve their communities can afford to live in them. Watch on TVW.

FLOOR ACTION

The Senate will be in action Wednesday.

12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19

The Senate will take to the floor Wednesday afternoon. Watch on TVW.

MORE HOUSING

Sen. Bob Hasegawa, sponsor of SB 5753.

10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21

The Housing Committee will hear public testimony on SB 5753, sponsored by Sen. Bob Hasegawa. Washington needs over 1 million new housing units by 2040. The bill establishes a public housing task force to explore innovative solutions to the housing crisis, including a statewide housing authority, public land for affordable housing, and complete communities with homes for all income levels. Watch on TVW.