Published date: January 21, 2025
Welcome to the second week of the legislative session.
Last week included introductions, swearing-in ceremonies, and bill hearings. Outgoing Governor Inslee’s budgets were reviewed, but Governor Ferguson is seeking agency cuts before considering revenue increases, implying these budgets may carry little weight. For more information, TVW covers the Washington State Legislature’s activities, with daily highlights on Legislative Review and weekly insights on Inside Olympia.
On Wednesday, statewide officials were sworn in during a joint session in the House Chamber, followed by Governor Bob Ferguson’s inaugural address and the signing of three executive orders on housing, reproductive freedom, and permitting reform:
Housing: State agencies are to review regulations affecting housing and identify streamlining opportunities.
Reproductive freedom: The Department of Health will convene experts to recommend strategies for protecting reproductive freedom.
Permitting reform: Agencies must reduce permit processing times or refund application fees if deadlines are missed.
Additionally, the Senate State Government Committee heard SB 5176 on prompt pay recommendations, with concerns about small jurisdictions managing administrative burdens.
This week, key bills include:
- SB 5215: Debris escaping from vehicles on highways. *Public Hearing: Environment & Energy (House) – 1/21 @ 4:00pm*
- HB 1150: Solid waste management improvements. *Public Hearing: Local Government (House) – 1/22 @ 8:00am*
- HB 1145: County public works reporting requirements. *Public Hearing: Transportation (House) – 1/22 @ 4:00pm*
- HB 1098: County local roads. *Public Hearing: Local Government (Senate) – 1/23 @ 1:30pm*
- SB 5155: Streamlining environmental permitting for salmon recovery projects. *Public Hearing: Labor & Commerce (Senate) – 1/24 @ 8:00am*
- SB 5061: Requiring certain wages in public works contracts to meet prevailing wage standards. *APWA has concerns about implementation.*
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