Category Archives: News Release

26 Apr
0

Bill to better regulate THC products, limit youth access signed into law

OLYMPIA — A bill to better regulate THC products and limit youth access was signed into law after passing both chambers with strong bipartisan support.  Senate Bill 5367, sponsored by Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett), adds products containing a detectable amount ...

Read More
23 Apr
0

Billig on the 2023 legislative session: ‘Remarkable progress on state’s challenges’

OLYMPIA – Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig (D-Spokane) released the statement below following the adjournment of the 2023 legislative session on Sunday evening: “When we arrived in Olympia in January, there was urgency to act on the pressing challenges facing ...

Read More
22 Apr
0

Transportation budget focused on safety, workforce, green investments heads to governor’s desk 

The Senate today passed House Bill 1125, the 2023-25 transportation budget. The $13.4 billion plan invests in traffic safety, expands the state patrol and ferry workforces, funds green transportation options, and keeps work on schedule for transportation projects big and small ...

Read More
22 Apr
0

Final state budget agreement boosts funding for students, workers, behavioral health, housing, climate action

OLYMPIA – Budget leaders in the Washington State Legislature announced an agreement today on a $69.3 billion, two-year budget to fund critical state services, including behavioral health, public schools, affordable housing, and a historic investment to address the climate crisis. ...

Read More
20 Apr
0

Nobles bill makes reimbursement Crime Victims Compensation Program permanent for survivors of strangulation

Today, the governor signed into law Senate Bill 5070, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), to make permanent the reimbursement for the Crime Victims Compensation Program for survivors of strangulation. Legislation establishing this reimbursement first passed unanimously in 2021. “In ...

Read More
20 Apr
0

Bill to help address health care staffing shortage signed into law

OLYMPIA — A bill to help address the health care staffing shortage by mitigating unmanageable patient loads and worker burnout was signed into law Thursday.  Senate Bill 5236, sponsored by Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett), requires hospitals to submit staffing plans ...

Read More
14 Apr
0

Senate OKs Keiser bill to safeguard access to abortion medication

OLYMPIA – Washingtonians would be guaranteed uninterrupted access to the safe, effective medication used in nearly 60% of abortions in the state, under a bill passed by the Senate today on a 28-18 party-line vote after a lengthy debate. At ...

Read More
12 Apr
0

Keiser bill to safeguard access to abortion medication passes Senate committee

OLYMPIA – Washingtonians would be guaranteed uninterrupted access to the safe, effective medication used in nearly 60% of abortions in the state, under a bill that passed the Senate Ways & Means Committee today. At the direction of Gov. Jay ...

Read More
12 Apr
0

House Passes Bill to Protect Endangered Orcas

OLYMPIA—The House of Representatives passed legislation on April 11, 2023, to safeguard the endangered orcas in the Salish Sea. Senate Bill 5371, sponsored by Senator Liz Lovelett (D-Anacortes) and supported by Representative Debra Lekanoff (D-Bow), received overwhelming bipartisan support through Lekanoff’s ...

Read More
08 Apr
0

Assault weapon ban passes Senate, heads back to House for concurrence

A monumental step toward gun safety cleared another hurdle Saturday as the Senate passed House Bill 1240, a measure to ban the sale, manufacture and distribution of assault weapons in Washington state.  The bill passed 27-21. “We are the only ...

Read More