Day 15 of the 2026 session means we are already a quarter of the way through! Policy committees enter their last full week of work, with cutoff arriving Feb. 4. Committees will be busy ahead of that deadline, hearing from the public on issues such as reproductive rights, health care, housing, and more.
LABOR & COMMERCE
Monday, Jan. 26 @ 10:30 a.m.
The Labor & Commerce Committee will hear public testimony on bills to regulate and provide oversight for kratom and cannabis home grows. Both bills are sponsored by Sen. Rebecca Saldaña. Senate Bill 6196 creates a regulatory framework and taxing structure the same as tobacco products for kratom, a tropical evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. Kratom has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes elsewhere, but in the United States, it’s largely unregulated and marketed as an herbal supplement. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved kratom for medical use and warns of its potential adverse side affects. The committee will also hear SB 6204, which legalizes but limits the number of cannabis plants a person over the age of 21 can grow at home. Watch on TVW.
SAFER ROADS
Monday, Jan. 26 @ 4 p.m.
The Transportation Committee will hold a work session on impaired driving and hear from experts on the issue, as lawmakers again explore the idea of lowering the legal blood alcohol limit to .05 for Washington drivers. Watch on TVW.
REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM
Tuesday, Jan. 27 @ 10:30 a.m.
The Health & Long-Term Care Committee will hear public testimony on Senate Bill 6182, sponsored by Sen. Jessica Bateman. The bill creates an assessment on health insurers offering plans in the individual market to fund the abortion savings program. The program will facilitate grants to organizations providing direct patient care for abortion services. Watch on TVW.
ACCESS TO FOOD
Tuesday, Jan. 27 @ 10:30 a.m.
The Labor & Commerce Committee will hear public testimony on Senate Bill 6147, the Grocery Protection Act, sponsored by Sen. Steve Conway. The bill requires closing grocery stores to provide six months notice to the public and make good faith efforts to continue usage or avoid closure. The act is in response to a recent closure in Conway’s district. Watch on TVW.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
Tuesday, Jan. 27 @ 11 a.m.
Senate and House Democratic leaders will answer questions from the press on Tuesday. Watch on TVW.
REGULATING AI
Tuesday, Jan. 27 @ 1:30 p.m.
The Environment, Energy & Technology Committee will hear public testimony on Senate Bill 6284, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias. The bill would let people know when artificial intelligence is being used in decisions about them regarding things like health care, employment, parole, insurance and other instances. Watch on TVW.
TRANSPARENT TICKET PRICING
Wednesday, Jan. 28 @ 8 a.m.
The Business, Trade & Economic Development Committee will hear public testimony on Senate Bill 6175, the WAVE Act, sponsored by Sen. Liz Lovelett. The Washington Access and Venue Equity bill would protect consumers from unfair and deceptive practices when they purchase tickets for events in our state. It would ensure Washington fans, artists, and venues get the benefit of their ticket price, not the third-party sellers. The measure would restore transparency, protect people from predatory market practices, and safeguard Washington’s creative economy. Watch on TVW.
HOUSING
Wednesday, Jan. 28 @ 10:30 a.m.
The Housing Committee will hear public testimony on Senate Bill 6069, sponsored by Sen. Emily Alvarado. The bill requires cities and counties to allow permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, and indoor emergency housing in urban areas under the same permitting standards as other residential uses. It reduces delays and regulatory barriers so housing for people experiencing homelessness can be built more quickly and predictably. The committee will also hear SB 6237, sponsored by Sen. Jessica Bateman, which requires landlords to disclose known flood risks and flooding history to tenants, helping renters make informed housing decisions. Watch on TVW.
FLOOR ACTION
Wednesday, Jan. 28 @ 12:30 p.m.
The Senate will be in action Wednesday afternoon. Watch on TVW.
HOLDING ICE ACCOUNTABLE
Wednesday, Jan. 28 @ 4 p.m.
The Human Services Committee will hear public testimony on Senate Bill 6286, sponsored by Sen. Tina Orwall. The bill is a follow up to HB 1470, which passed in 2023, which allows the state Department of Health to fine the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, which is used as an ICE processing center, for health code violations. Sen. Orwall’s bill expands DOH’s authority to issue fines if and when DOH is not allowed to inspect the facility. Watch on TVW.
PROTECTING KIDS ONLINE
Thursday, Jan. 29 @ 8 a.m.
The Business, Trade & Economic Development Committee will hear public testimony on Senate Bill 6111, sponsored by Sen. Jesse Salomon. The bill will help protect kids online by creating the requirement that minors 16 and under receive verified parental consent to create a social media account. Watch on TVW.
HEALTH CARE AS A HUMAN RIGHT
Thursday, Jan. 29 @ 8 a.m.
The Health & Long-Term Care Committee will hear public testimony on Senate Joint Resolution 8206, sponsored by Sen. Bob Hasegawa. The SJR would amend the state constitution to include language that defines health care as a human right and establish a right to affordable health care. Watch on TVW.
HOUSING
Friday, Jan. 30 @ 10:30 a.m.
The Housing Committee will hear public testimony on Senate Bill 6214, sponsored by Sen. Marcus Riccelli. The bill allows counties to create land banking authorities to acquire and hold land for future affordable housing and permanently affordable homeownership, helping communities plan ahead and preserve land for long-term public benefit. Watch on TVW.
