TESTIFY FOR EMERGENCY POWERS REFORM TOMORROW
State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections
10:30 a.m. in Senate Hearing Room 2
John A. Cherberg Building
Capitol Campus, Olympia
A bill to reform gubernatorial emergency powers will receive a hearing tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. in the Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee.
Senate Bill 5434, sponsored by Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro Woolley, continues the work of former Sen. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, to put reasonable limitations around the governor’s powers during a state of emergency.
The governor should have immediate and sweeping powers to respond to an emergency or natural disaster. After a few weeks or a month, it’s reasonable to expect the decisions will be more collaborative.
SB 5434 has strong bipartisan support and Republicans would be sponsoring this bill even if the current governor was a Republican. It’s not about party affiliation.
It’s about recognizing that the people need to have oversight of the governor’s powers through their elected legislators. It’s about good governance, and we’re optimistic that it will get the support it needs to make it through the Legislature.
In his inaugural speech, Gov. Bob Ferguson indicated he may support legislation limiting gubernatorial emergency powers.
You can testify tomorrow and tell the State Government committee why they need to pass SB 5434.
Senate Republicans to release package of housing legislation
Early next week, Senate Republicans will release a package of bills designed to help boost the supply of affordable housing. Watch our media availability at 9:15 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 18 for details.
You’ll also be able to find the information on our website under the tab TRENDING TOPICS.
Several of the bills in the package are scheduled to be heard at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 2 in the Senate Housing Committee. (See Committee Highlights below.)
As always, you have the ability to testify on behalf of legislation being heard in committee.
You can also watch the hearing live on TVW.
Important committee
meetings this week
SHR = Senate Hearing Room
Located in the John A. Cherberg Building
on the Capitol Campus in Olympia
MONDAY, FEB. 17
Law & Justice
10:30 AM SHR 4
Public Hearing
- SB 5116 – Concerning the immediate use of marriage licenses for medical necessity. CHRISTIAN
- SB 5569 – Recognizing a court’s authority to authorize a defendant’s direct transfer from jail to inpatient or residential substance use disorder treatment. GILDON
Human Services
1:30 PM SHR 4
Executive Session
- SB 5260 – Concerning emergency measures for managing juvenile populations at state juvenile correctional institutions. CHRISTIAN
- SB 5278 – Concerning emergency measures for managing juvenile populations at state juvenile correctional institutions. BRAUN
Ways & Means
4:00 PM SHR 4
Public Hearing
- SB 5543 – Providing equity in eligibility for the college bound scholarship. BOEHNKE
TUESDAY, FEB. 18
Health & Long-Term Care
10:30 AM SHR 4
Public Hearing
- SB 5642 – Improving performance on maternal health and preventative cancer screening metrics for Medicaid clients. TORRES
State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections
1:30 PM SHR 2
Executive Session
- SB 5434 – Establishing balanced legislative oversight of gubernatorial powers during a declared emergency. WAGONER
Labor & Commerce
10:30 AM SHR 1
Public Hearing
- SB 5201 – Concerning access to psychedelic substances
Transportation
4:00 PM SHR 1
Work Session
- Establishing new sources of transportation revenue based on motor vehicle use of public roadways (road usage charge)
Ways & Means
4:00 PM SHR 4
Public Hearing
- SB 5696 – Concerning the sales and use tax supporting chemical dependency and mental health treatment programs. KING
- SB 5036 – Strengthening Washington’s leadership and accountability on climate policy by transitioning to annual reporting of statewide emissions data. BOEHNKE
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 19
Environment, Energy & Technology
8:00 AM SHR 1
Public Hearing
- SB 5630 – Continuing to provide payments to support farm fuel users and transporters for exempt fuel under the Washington climate commitment act. DOZIER
Housing
1:30 PM SHR 4
Executive Session
- SB 5222 – Rent control
Public Hearing
- SB 5729 – Encouraging construction of affordable housing by streamlining the permitting process. GILDON
- SB 5732 – Creating greater accountability for increasing the supply of housing consistent with growth management. BRAUN
- SB 5740 – Concerning eviction reform and tenant safety. BRAUN
THURSDAY, FEB. 20
Law & Justice
10:30 AM SHR 4
Executive Session
- SB 5116 – Concerning the immediate use of marriage licenses for medical necessity. CHRISTIAN
- SB 5569 – Recognizing a court’s authority to authorize a defendant’s direct transfer from jail to inpatient or residential substance use disorder treatment. GILDON
Local Government
1:30 PM SHR 3
Executive Session
- SB 5055 – Promoting agritourism in Washington. WARNICK
- SB 5552 – Concerning the creation of building codes for kit homes. WILSON, J.
Ways & Means
4:00 PM SHR 4
Public Hearing
- SB 5050 – Concerning the privacy of party selections during presidential primaries. WILSON, J.
FRIDAY, FEB. 21
Housing
10:30 AM SHR 4
Public Hearing