By Lee Stoll, KOMO NewsMon, February 12th 2024 at 8:59 AM Updated Mon, February 12th 2024 at 12:14 PM
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Lawmakers in Olympia are trying to beat the next deadline to keep bills alive this legislative session.
As the Washington Legislature session heads into the sixth week, some proposals will not advance. Tuesday is the cutoff for bills to pass out of their chamber of origin.
— Senate Bill 5770 would have raised annual property taxes 3%. Voters capped those levy limit raises to 1%. The bill died last week.
“We will not be moving SB 5770 forward this year,” Sen. Jamie Pedersen said in a statement. “We have heard the public’s concerns about property taxes. We recognize that we must do a better job of explaining both how the current 1% cap hamstrings local governments’ efforts to fund public safety and other essential services we all rely on and how small a portion of property taxes this policy would affect. I have also heard clearly that the status quo puts local services at risk, and I remain committed to working with our partners in counties and cities across Washington to give local governments the flexibility to make the best economic choices for their communities.”
— Some bills still moving forward include House Bill 1915, which would require students to take a class on financial literacy. By the 2031 school year, students would need half a credit to graduate.
— House Bill 1932 would shift local elections from odd numbered years to even numbered years. This way, they would match up with federal and state elections.
— House Bill 1903 requires gun owners to report to authorities their firearms as stolen within 24 hours of realizing the weapon is missing.
— Senate Bill 5444 expands the list of public places where possessing weapons is strictly prohibited. Among the newly added locations are public libraries, zoos, aquariums and transit stations or facilities used for public transportation services.
— Senate Bill 6105, known as the “Strippers Bill of Rights,” aims protect dancers at strip clubs with extra training and security requirements.
— There’s also a bill to require clergy members to report abuse or neglect. Right now, they’re not on the list that includes other professionals like teachers, psychologists and law enforcement officers. Language is included to exclude certain communications, like confession.
— House Bill 2004 passed unanimously to allow veterans, National Guard members, active-duty military personnel and their families to register early for higher education classes. The law expired in 2022. This would make it permanent.
— Other bills include tougher laws for sharing intimate images of people without their consent, including those altered using artificial intelligence. It passed out of the House unanimously.
