I am working through the weekend on the floor to pass as many good bills as we can before cutoff next Wednesday, March 13. However, I am thrilled to host a town hall with Rep. Jeff Morris on March 23 at 10 a.m. at the Burlington Community Center if you are able to make it!
I wanted to give you an update of the work I have been involved in so far and to let you know that things are going well! Arriving in Olympia only a week before policy cutoff, I’ve managed to drop and move several bills, co-sponsor others, and have had the opportunity to participate in some historic votes.
Some big wins for the Senate Democrats were the passage of 100% Clean Energy and Low Carbon Fuel Standards; banning the death penalty and fracking; expanding protections for the LGBTQ and immigrant community; and creating some meaningful programs for people experiencing homelessness.
Here are some of the bills we’ve passed that are most important to the 40th district:
Orca Protection
SB 5577 creates a no-go zone for all boats around southern resident orcas, increasing the existing distance of 200 yards to 300 yards in the path of the whale or 400 yards when behind a whale. The bill adds a go-slow zone — 7 knots per hour or less — for both commercial and recreational boats viewing orcas within half a nautical mile (1,013 yards) from the whales.
I sponsored SB 5918, which requires the state boating education program to include information on these new regulations and other actions boaters can take to protect the health of orcas.
SB 5135 requires the state to identify and manage consumer products with priority chemicals — including PFAS, phthalates, flame retardants, phenolic compounds, and PCBs. These types of chemicals are local sources of contaminants that can escape into our groundwater and waterways, impacting the Salish Sea and our struggling orca. Managing these chemicals will reduce local sources of toxins and lessen pollution in Puget Sound.
Services for families and those experiencing homelessness
I co-sponsored SB 5946, which streamlines permitting for communities that have declared a state of emergency due to the level of homelessness. Under the bill, a temporary shelter is exempt from the state Environmental Policy Act while still adhering to local regulations and notices.
SB 5955, my first bill to win passage, enhances child safety by improving investigations of abuse, allowing for better inter agency cooperation, and protecting the personal information of vulnerable children.
SB 5324 supports students experiencing homelessness through district grants to establish a point of contact in schools to help them find additional services for housing and addressing the opportunity gap.
Fighting Climate Change and Pollution
SB 5116, the 100% clean energy act, makes Washington the leader in the nation by committing broadly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from electricity while adopting a precise action plan to do so. It is also the most extensive measure on climate action that Washington’s Legislature has adopted since 2008.v
SB 5323 prohibits retailers from handing out single-use plastic bags. They would be able to provide paper bags or durable, reusable plastic bags for 8 cents each. This charge helps retailers recover the costs and creates an incentive for shoppers to bring their own.
SB 5077 prohibits plastic straws in restaurants except upon request for those who need them. Plastics are a major source of pollution and limiting straws provides public awareness and education about the problems with plastic while ensuring those who need straws can access them easily.
Supporting Family Farms and Workers
SB 5438 ensures agricultural workers conditions are safe, healthy, and dignified. The federal government dramatically underfunds the H-2A program, so the state will step in to ensure better working conditions for everyone.
I helped craft the substitute for SB 5883, which allows for a five percent variance on the weight of trucks carrying farm products from the field. This simple measure gives farmers flexibility during harvest to quickly move crops and products regardless of weather or other unforeseen issues that can increase truck weight.
SB 5947 creates a sustainable farms and fields grant program under the Department of Agriculture. The grants fund innovative projects that improve equipment efficiency for fuel, electricity, and water; promote sustainable agricultural practices; and improve carbon sequestration in soil and plants. These state funds are crucial to removing barriers for on-farm innovation and helps small farms thrive.
I hope that this update finds you all enjoying the transition into spring and I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming meeting or town hall!
Sen. Liz Lovelett and Rep. Jeff Morris Town Hall covering orcas, ferries, and the 2019 legislative session
When: Saturday, March 23 from 10am-12pm
Where: Community Hall in the Burlington Community Center
1011 Greenleaf Avenue Burlington, WA 98233
All the best,
Liz Lovelett
