LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF WASHINGTON: Legislative Newsletter (Feb. 20, 2022)
Editor’s Note: The League of Women Voters (LWV) of Washington sent this legislative newsletter on Feb. 20, 2022. Our mission at the Voter Interests Project is to monitor elected officials and ballot measures; we generally do not report on the activities of non-profit organizations. However, the LWV Whidbey Island chapter conducts candidate forums during most election cycles, and are therefore of particular interest to voters. The LWV of Washington’s website states, “The League is a Nonpartisan Source You Can Trust”; however, the LWV does take positions on public policy. Our observation is that their policy positions inform their management of voter forums. Therefore, we believe it to be of interest to our readers to know the positions for which the LWV advocates.
Action Alerts
Click on the links below to learn more about bills currently being reviewed in the state legislature. You can “take action” on these most pressing bills by sending a suggested, editable email to legislators, encouraging them to vote to promote the League issue in question.
Sign In PRO for E2SHB 1691
E2SHB 1691 Financial responsibility requirements related to oil spills. Requires oil vessels and facilities to demonstrate financial ability to pay for a “worst case” oil spill. Bill would stop oil companies from externalizing costs and relieve taxpayers of the financial burden. Passed out of House 83-13. Public hearing to be held in the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee Tuesday, February 22, 10:30am.
Please help get this important bill pass, sign in PRO in Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee public hearing anytime one hour before February 22, 10:30am meeting.
► Sign in PRO here for E2SHB 1691
Sign in PRO for SHB 5885
SHB 5885 Relating to marine shoreline habitat. Substitute bill directs Department of Ecology to conduct baseline survey of Puget Sound marine shorelines using an on-the-water view of the shoreline, identifying unpermitted development, and to consider the results in their enforcement authority. Last year’s bill on shoreline armoring was not as comprehensive as this is. Creates more near shore habitat for forage fish and juvenile salmon.
Passed out of Senate, scheduled for public hearing in the House Environment & Energy Committee February 22, 8am. Please sign in PRO anytime one hour before public hearing Tuesday, February 22, 8 AM
► Sign in PRO for SHB 5885 here
RACING TOWARDS THE FINISH LINE; HELP OUR BILLS BE WINNERS!
The House and Senate worked furiously through the night to move bills out of their chambers of origin before the deadline last Tuesday. Bills that had many amendments or much opposition didn’t make it, and will have to wait for another year. Starting last Wednesday, the House and Senate began hearings on the bills that had passed the opposite chamber. Last Thursday there was a hearing on SB 5651 the Capitol Budget.
This Monday, the House and Senate will each be releasing their respective operating budgets and holding hearings the same day. Next week will be intense because February 24th is the cut-off to pass bills out of the opposite chambers, and February 28th the cut-off for passing bills out of the fiscal and transportation committees. Your help in getting bills the League supports out of committee with “do pass” recommendations will be essential to a successful session! Please help with our Action Alerts today! Our Current Actions page may help you pick out which bills are particularly important to you.
LWVWA Legislative Issues From the 2022 Washington State Legislative Session
Click on an issue to learn more about session results on bills the League supported and “This Week’s Updates” to read the issue chair’s report on this past week.
Democracy
Elections | This week’s updates
Money in Politics | No update this week
Education | This week’s updates
Redistricting | This week’s updates
Natural Resources and Climate Change
Climate and Energy | This week’s updates
Growth Management | This week’s updates
Transportation | This week’s updates
Social and Economic Policy
Housing and Homelessness | This week’s updates
Health and Behavioral Health | This week’s updates
Calendar
- No events this week.
Other Ways to Follow the State Legislature
- Washington State Legislature website, leg.wa.gov.
- Washington State’s public affairs TV network, TVW.org.
