During the 2023-2024 there were nearly 4000 bills introduced into the Washington State Legislature by the 147 legislators that represent the citizens of Washington State. Some bills were recommended by government agencies, some encouraged by the Governor, but most were filed by legislators to satisfy a need.
For a bill to become a law is a daunting process. There are committees, hearings, caucus meetings and then floor votes. Once it is through one chamber it starts all over again and finally signed by the governor. Of the nearly 4000 bills introduced, less than 1000 ran the gauntlet and made it to the finish line. The 12 legislators in the Tri-City region managed to get a combined 41 bills through during the two-year biennium. Here are a few examples:
0 Comments
The 2024 Tri-Cities Legislative Council achieved success on four out of their six legislative priorities. These accomplishments encompassed several key initiatives:
The first was the Energy Northwest Advanced Small Nuclear Reactor Project: Funding was secured, resulting in a $25 million fund. This is a big win for the region. A pilot project, a Circular Industrial Symbiosis Park in Pasco, received funding for a feasibility study. Additionally, a green fertilizer work group was funded to explore the creation of a manufacturing facility in the Tri-Cities. Columbian Basin College was awarded funds to create the Hospitality Center of Excellence. The center will convene partners to develop relevant credentials, promote paid work experience and provide the opportunity to collaborate with others within the industry. Regrettably, two priorities did not reach fruition House Bill 1981 and House Bill 2120, both sponsored by Representative Barnard were unable to pass both the House and the Senate this session. House bill 1981 would have supported growth in the nuclear and manufacturing industry while furthering the state’s decarbonization initiatives. House Bill 2120 would have extended the Targeted Urban Property Tax exemption which would encourage additional manufacturing investment in Richland. Thanks to everyone who attended Business After Hours at Goose Ridge Winery on Thursday, March 14! We hope you left with some valuable new business connections. As previously stated in our February 20th update, three initiatives were going to be heard in public hearings before the Washington State legislator. That left three initiatives unsettled.
Those first three initiatives were heard and both the House and the Senate subsequently passed all three initiatives. This action automatically passes the initiatives into law. What’s next for the other three initiatives? Initiative 2117, known as the “Prohibit Carbon Tax Credit Trading and Repeal Carbon Cap-and-Invest Program Measure” would prohibit state agencies from implementing any cap and trade or cap and tax programs. Additionally, it seeks to repeal the 2021 Washington Climate Commitment Act (CCA), which established a cap and invest program aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 95% by 2050. The CCA's program incentivized businesses to lower emissions by allowing them to sell remaining carbon emission allowances to other companies. Initiative 2124, pertains to state long-term care insurance. The measure proposes that employees and self-employed individuals must actively choose to retain coverage under RCW 50B.04, with the option to opt out at any time. Additionally, it seeks to repeal an existing law related to exemptions for employees. The initiative aims to provide consumer choice regarding long-term care insurance and addresses concerns about affordability, adequacy, and solvency of the current program. Initiative 2109, a citizens’ initiative, seeks to safeguard economic freedom by repealing the controversial capital gains income tax imposed by lawmakers in 2021. This tax, which disproportionately affects individuals with annual capital gains exceeding $250,000, has been widely criticized as unconstitutional and burdensome. By voting in favor of I-2109, Washington residents can encourage investment, protect small businesses, and ensure that hardworking taxpayers retain more of their earnings. Each of these three initiatives will appear on the November general ballot. If these initiatives are passed the initiatives become law. Thanks to everyone who attended or presented at our first Small Business Resource Fair on March 6. We hope that you left with some valuable new connections! TOD, an answer for affordable housing?Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is a type of urban development that maximizes the amount of residential, business, and leisure space within walking distance of public transport. In Washington State, TOD is seen as a key solution to the state's massive housing shortage.
Recent bills introduced into the Washington State legislature would limit a city or county’s ability to enact or enforce new development regulations within certain transit hub parameters. They would also require a certain percentage of new units be set aside as affordable housing. Counties and cities would also face additional restrictions on parking requirements. As for affordable housing, TOD can indeed contribute to it. However, it's important to note that while TOD can drive up property prices and accelerate gentrification, this can be offset by allocating a significant portion of the new development to affordable housing. When low-income households are priced out of TOD areas, the cost savings of living in a more affordable area can be offset by higher transportation expenses associated with automobile dependency. Therefore, the inclusion of affordable housing in TOD is crucial to ensure that the benefits of such developments are accessible to residents of all income levels. The most recent bill before the Washinton State legislature (E2SHB 2160) is currently in the Senate Ways & Means Committee waiting for a chance at the Senate floor. There is only about a week for the bill to proceed. Thanks to everyone who participated in or attended the State of the Ports Membership Luncheon on February 28! Port of Benton Executive Director Diahann Howard, Port of Kennewick Chief Executive Officer Tim Arntzen, and Port of Pasco Executive Director Randy Hayden delivered updates on the latest news and projects from their respective organizations, including Vista Field, Washington VERTical, the Reimann Industrial Center, and more. Congratulations to Joyful Market on their ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, March 1. Check out their beautiful boutique shop at 2000 N. Columbia Center Blvd. in Kennewick. On February 22nd, a group of nearly 40 representatives from the Tri-Cities traveled to Olympia to champion our local priorities. We engaged with legislators not only from the Tri-Cities region but also from other corners of the state. They were all eager to hear about our top issues.
First on our agenda was the advancement of Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Research and Development. We focused on securing additional funding for this state-of-the-art technology. Additionally, we actively sought support for expanding manufacturing jobs and Target Urban Areas (TUA). State Representative Barnard has worked tirelessly to help us advance these goals. Furthermore, we emphasized the development of an agricultural symbiosis industrial park and the production of green fertilizers. Our session priorities were further complemented by our efforts to garner support for establishing a Hospitality Center of Excellence at Columbia Basin College. During our visit, we were fortunate to receive insights from Derek Sanderson, the Washington State Director of Agriculture, and Chris Green, the Assistant Director for the Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness at the Department of Commerce. Both speakers shared valuable messages with us. In the end, our visit was a resounding success. We had the opportunity to make our voices heard and pave the way for positive change. Throughout 2023, the people of Washington State were presented with six opportunities to weigh in on important issues facing the state. These six issues included:
|
Categories
All
Archives
March 2024
|