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OLYMPIA – Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig (D-Spokane) announced today that he will not seek re-election in 2024. Billig, who was first elected to the Legislature in 2010, will finish his current term and continue to serve as majority leader until a new leader is selected in November. He was elected majority leader in late 2018 and has served in that role since the 2019 legislative session. “Part of being a good leader is knowing when it is time to step aside and let others lead,” said Billig. “I have been incredibly lucky to have served Spokane in ...

OLYMPIA — Residents living near Sea-Tac International Airport, who face disproportionate health risks due to aircraft noise and pollution, could receive assistance to repair failing soundproofing for their houses under legislation passed with overwhelming bipartisan support by the House today. SB 5955, sponsored by Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines), establishes a grant program managed by the Washington State Department of Commerce, which would assist the port of Seattle in undertaking a program to repair home noise mitigation equipment that is not working properly. “We ask people in airport communities to tolerate high levels of noise from air ...

OLYMPIA – Legislation to block unscrupulous lenders who are partnering with out-of-state banks to evade Washington’s limits on interest rates has now passed both the Senate and the House unanimously. SB 6025, sponsored by Sen. Derek Stanford (D-Bothell), makes any attempt to evade the provisions of Washington’s Consumer Loan Act a violation of the act. “Our state’s Consumer Loan Act does a good job of protecting consumers and making sure there is clarity for lenders and borrowers,” said Stanford. “But some companies are partnering with out-of-state banks and using structures that allow them to get around the act. ...

Update March 19, 2024: The bill as described below has been signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee. TVW coverage available here. OLYMPIA — People who commit crimes on tribal lands would not be able to escape justice by fleeing into Washington state lands, under legislation passed unanimously by the House Wednesday. SB 6146 would authorize Washington state law enforcement officers to enforce warrants issued by Washington’s 29 federally recognized tribes and empower them to transport people to tribal lands for prosecution. “This law will help keep communities in Washington and on tribal lands safe, while respecting the ...

OLYMPIA — On Tuesday, Senate Transportation Committee Chair Marko Liias unveiled the 2024 supplemental transportation budget, Senate Bill 5947, a $14.6 billion proposal which prioritizes public safety, preservation and maintenance of existing infrastructure and investments in the ferry system.  “Our transportation system is the lifeblood of our economy, and this year’s budget makes critical investments in ferries, traffic safety, and improving mobility statewide,” Liias (D-Edmonds) said.  The supplemental budget proposal puts $150 million additional dollars into the preservation of roads, bridges and more statewide. An additional $31 million is invested in ...

OLYMPIA — Washington State Senate budget leaders unveiled a $71.7 billion supplemental operating budget plan Monday that increases support for behavioral health and public schools.  The budget adds roughly $1.9 billion in new spending to the two-year budget passed by lawmakers in April 2023.  “Many hours and conversations went into shaping our supplemental budget proposal, and I’m very proud of the result,” said Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett), chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee. “It continues to showcase our values and priorities by making smart, targeted investments that give our neighbors and children the ...

OLYMPIA – Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig and Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins announced Friday that public hearings will be held on Initiative 2113 (police pursuits), I-2111 (state income tax) and I-2081 (parental rights). The lawmakers also confirmed I-2117, a repeal of the Climate Commitment Act, I-2109, a repeal of the capital gains tax and I-2124, an opt-out of Washington’s long-term care retirement program that would effectively end the program, will not receive hearings or floor action, and will go directly to the November ballot. The House and Senate will hold ...

Senate leaders from the Democratic and Republican caucuses today announced their 2024 capital budget proposal. The state’s capital budget funds construction and maintenance of infrastructure and physical projects. This year’s budget proposal includes major funding increases in K-12 school construction, behavioral health facilities, affordable housing, and more. Details and specific project lists for the $1.3 billion budget proposal are online here. “This might only be a supplemental budget year, but this proposal steps up to the scale of the challenges facing Washington. On all the key issues before us, I think this budget will do a lot of ...

Legislation to address Washington’s retirement savings crisis passed the Senate today on a 43-6 vote. Known as Washington Saves, SB 6069, sponsored by Sen. Mark Mullet (D-Issaquah) and requested by State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti, would create an automatic Individual Retirement Account (IRA) for Washingtonians without access to employer-based retirement systems and help them invest and save those funds. “This bill is a great way to help folks save for retirement, especially people who work lower-income jobs or for very small businesses,” said Mullet. “Having IRAs automatically set up for employees is good for everyone – it gives ...