State lawmakers last week began what appears to be extended floor debates and votes ahead of the next cut-off deadline for legislative action this session. Tuesday, March 9, is the last day for bills to pass out of their house of origin, except for budget-related measures.
This year’s 105-day legislative session is scheduled to end on April 25.
Most bills scheduled for action by the full House and Senate during the early part of the session were not controversial and passed with bipartisan majorities. A number of issues, however, drew extended debate during lengthy floor sessions in both chambers this week, passing by narrow vote margins along mostly partisan lines.
House Bill 1068 —exempting election security information from public records disclosure
Passed the House on Feb. 24 by a vote of 61-37
This bill would exempt certain election security information from disclosure under the Public Records Act that requires all state and local governmental entities to make public records available to the public.
The bill would exempt: continuity of operations plans for elections; security audits; security risk assessment, and security test results that relate to physical security or cybersecurity of election operations or infrastructure.
Proponents said the bill is needed to keep critical election security information from people who might seek to harm elections.
Opponents voiced concern that it would reduce government transparency and erode public trust in the election process.
The bill was sent to the Senate State Government and Elections Committee for further consideration.
Rep. Mike Chapman (D-Port Angeles) Yes
Rep. Steve Tharinger (D-Port Townsend) Yes
House Bill 1009 — concerning student health plans
Passed the House on Feb. 23 by a vote of 57-40 (one member excused)
This bill would require student health plans to provide coverage for the abortion of a pregnancy.
Under current law, health plans that provide coverage for maternity care or services must also provide coverage to permit abortions. Student health plans are generally exempt from this requirement.
The bill would extend the requirement to cover abortions to student health plans deemed by the Insurance Commissioner to have a short-term limited purpose or duration, or to be guaranteed renewable while the covered person is enrolled as a regular full-time undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited higher education institution.
The bill was sent to the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee for further consideration.
Rep. Chapman Yes
Rep. Tharinger Yes
Senate Bill 5038 — prohibiting the open carry of certain weapons at public demonstrations and the state capitol
Passed on Feb. 25 by a vote of 28-20 (one member excused)
This bill would ban open-carry of weapons within 250 feet of permitted public demonstrations and at the state capitol. Current Washington law affirms citizen rights under the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to openly carry firearms, except in certain locations such as courthouses and jails.
Proponents said the bill would not infringe on those rights, because it only adds the Capitol to the list of places where open-carry of firearms is prohibited.
Opponents argued that the bill would take away legal gun owners’ ability to protect themselves if they feel unsafe at or near a public demonstration. They also said the language in the bill is too vague, making it difficult to enforce.
The bill is on its way to the House for further consideration.
Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim) Yes
Senate Bill 5051 — concerning state oversight and accountability of peace officers and corrections officers
Passed the Senate on Feb. 25 by a vote of 26-19 (one member absent, three excused)
This bill would greatly expand the Washington state Criminal Justice Training Commission’s (CJTC) authority and capability to investigate police misconduct and revoke or suspend a police officer’s professional certification. It would increase the number of reasons for which officers could lose their badge, adding use of force in violation of law or department policy to those reasons.
Under the bill, the CJTC would be allowed to add investigators to pursue more cases against officers, and to suspend an officer for a broader range of alleged misconduct. The CJTC, and other boards and panels that review misconduct cases would be made up by a majority of civilians unaffiliated with law enforcement.
The CJTC would also be authorized to begin de-certification processes against officers accused of wrongdoing without waiting for a local sheriff or police chief to discipline such officers.
Proponents said the bill’s intent is to restore public confidence that law enforcement officers, who are given the power of a badge and a gun to enforce the law, are appropriately exercising those powers.
Opponents said the bill would give the state too much control over local police decisions, and demonstrate a lack of support for law enforcement officers who put their lives in danger to protect the public.
The bill is headed to the House for further consideration.
Sen. Van De Wege Excused.
