Category Archives: News Release

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) to expand construction of accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, passed the Senate on a 42-6 vote today. ADUs, often referred to as backyard cottages or mother-in-law units, are residential homes that occupy the ...

OLYMPIA – New hires in Washington would no longer have to take cannabis tests as a condition of employment, under legislation passed today by the Senate. Currently available cannabis tests work by detecting metabolites that can remain in the body ...

OLYMPIA — A bill to amend Washington’s drug possession laws and expand access to pretrial treatment programs passed out of the Senate Law & Justice Committee Thursday.  Senate Bill 5536, sponsored by Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett), permanently addresses the state ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Jan. 26 2023  Washington students are championing two bills that will be heard by the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education committee.   Senate Bill 5355 would mandate Washington schools provide instruction on sex trafficking prevention and identification.  ...

OLYMPIA – New legislation introduced in the Washington State Senate could create more opportunity for housing near transit centers, increasing the state’s supply of housing diversity while amplifying recent investments in public transportation. “We’ve made massive investments in public transportation ...

OLYMPIA – On the heels of the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Democrats in the Washington State Legislature are proposing comprehensive action to strengthen state protections for reproductive freedom. On Tuesday, five bills will be heard across three Senate ...

OLYMPIA — Legislation to amend Washington’s drug possession laws and increase participation in pretrial treatment programs was introduced in the Senate Friday. The bill, sponsored by Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett), permanently addresses the state Supreme Court’s 2021 State v. Blake ...

For 30 years, local towns, cities and counties have been blocked from taking their own action to prevent gun violence.   This is because of a statewide preemption of local gun regulations.   SB 5446 would remove that preemption so local municipalities ...

The Washington State Wealth Tax would tax extreme wealth derived from the ownership of stocks, bonds, and other financial assets with the proceeds dedicated to education, housing, disability services, and tax credits for working families At a news conference today, ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Jan. 18, 2023  OLYMPIA – Students and their families should never feel they are at risk of retribution for demanding that their schools follow the law.   That is why Senator Claire Wilson (D-Auburn) put forward SB ...