Week two of the 2024 legislative session was packed with committee hearings, executive sessions, and floor action on some priority bills. All bills that are not deemed necessary to implement the budget (NTIB) must pass out of their house of origin policy committee by Jan. 31 to remain alive. Legislators have only a week and a half to ensure their policy bills undergo both a public hearing and an executive session to stay active. 

Key Issues 

  • Gift Card Accountability – SB 5988/HB 2095 and SB 5987/HB 2094 would increase the gift card cash out option from a balance of $5 to a balance of $50 and would require gift cards to be reported as unclaimed property after three years – see the Office of the AG Q&A. The package of legislation, prime-sponsored by Sen. Yasmin Trudeau (D-Tacoma) and Rep. Emily Alvarado (D-West Seattle), had public hearings on Jan. 16. The Seattle Metro Chamber testified in opposition to all four bills. None of the bills have been scheduled for executive action.  
  • Paid Family Medical Leave Program – HB 1959 had a public hearing on Jan. 17 and is scheduled for executive session on Jan. 24. The bill removes the exemption for employers with fewer than 50 employees to not pay any portion of the premium for Paid Family and Medical Leave. The bill intends to require employers with less than 50 employees to pay at least 55% of the medical leave share of the premium, and to eliminate the grant program that assisted small businesses with their share of the cost.  
  • Unemployment Benefits for Employees on Strike – SB 5777/HB 1893 would provide unemployment benefits for workers on strike. You can read more about the proposal here. SB 5777 was passed by the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee Jan. 16 and is now in Senate Rules where it can be pulled to the floor for a vote.  
  • Real Estate Excise Taxes (REET) for Affordable Housing – HB 2276 proposes to impose a new Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT); a 1% tax on properties selling over $3.025 million. The revenue would be allocated to housing-related funds and programs. The bill had a public hearing in the House Finance Committee on Jan. 18. Opponents of this legislation say this will increase the cost of buying a home.  
  • Oil Accountability – SB 6052 is governor-request legislation and had a public hearing on Jan. 17. The bill is modeled after California’s approach and is aimed at enhancing transparency in petroleum supply and pricing. The bill has received a significant amount of attention – click here to read more.   

We’re Also Keeping an Eye On…  

  • Organized Retail Crime: This session, Senate Labor & Commerce Chair Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines) is advocating for the establishment of a grant program that would help small businesses purchase security infrastructure. You can read more here. 
  • Washington State Revenues: Washington Research Council finds January state tax collections are $99.1 million short of forecasted amount. Click here to read more. 
  • Ballot Initiatives: Initiative 2113 (police pursuits), Initiative 2117 (cap-and-trade), and Initiative 2081 (parental rights relating to their children’s public school education) have been certified by the Secretary of State. Initiatives are exempt from cutoff dates. 
    • Initiative 2109 – This week, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a constitutional challenge of Washington State’s Capital Gains Tax. Opponents challenge the legality of the tax claiming that it is an income tax and not an excise tax – therefore against the state’s constitutional law. The Washington State Supreme Court upheld the tax last year. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision leaves the tax in place. (Seattle Times) 
    • Initiative 2117 seeks to repeal the state’s Climate Commitment Act, which generated $1.8 billion in revenue for the state from carbon auctions (Seattle Times). 
  • HB 2201/SB 6058 work to link Washington State’s CCA carbon market with California and Quebec. There is a lot of speculation surrounding if this bill is an alternative to Initiative 2117 – if so, the bill will need to be put in front of the voters. Washington State Standard 

Important Dates

Jan. 31 – House of Origin Policy Cutoff 

Feb. 5 – House of Origin Fiscal Cutoff 

Feb. 13 – House of Origin Floor Cutoff 

Feb. 21 – Opposite House Policy Cutoff 

Feb. 26 – Opposite House Fiscal Cutoff 

March 1 – Opposite House Floor Cutoff 

March 7 – Sine Die 

Helpful Links for Session: The Washington State Legislative Website, Find My Legislator, Legislative Committees, Bill Searcher, Washington State Legislative Roster, Sign up for Legislative Email Updates, Agendas, Schedules, and Calendars, Participating in the Process (Email or Testimony) 

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