State lawmakers were meeting in lengthy floor action last week to pass dozens of bills as this year’s session moves into its final days. The cut-off deadline of March 4 was the last day to consider policy legislation passed by the opposite chamber; thereafter, only budget related matters and differences between the two houses can be considered.
Democrats in both chambers moved their respective supplemental operating budget plans to a vote, less than a week after making them public for the first time. On Feb. 25, after lengthy floor debate on some 50 proposed amendments, the Senate passed its supplemental operating budget bill (SB 5693) by a mostly partisan 29-19 vote. The bill was immediately sent to the House, which passed its own version, after debating 36 amendments, on Feb. 26 by a 56-37 vote.
The House also passed the $16.8 billion transportation package proposed by Democrats (SB 5974) which had passed the Senate last month. The House version eliminated the proposed fuel exports tax.
Some gun rights restrictions have now cleared both chambers, following passage by the Senate this week, but the controversial high-capacity magazine ban proposal (SB 5078) has not yet been acted upon by the House.
Senate Bill 5693 — making 2021-2023 fiscal biennium supplemental operating appropriations
Passed the Senate on Feb. 25 by a vote of 29-19 (one member absent)
This is the supplemental budget proposal by Democrats to add some $5 billion to the $59 billion 2021-23 spending plan approved last year.
Sen. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim) Yes
Senate Bill 5693 — making 2021-2023 fiscal biennium supplemental operating appropriations
Passed the House on Feb. 26 by a vote of 56-37 (five members excused)
This is the House version of the supplemental spending plan with various changes to appropriations proposed in the Senate version. It includes a provision that would make $19 million available to local governments to aid Ukrainian refugees. House and Senate leaders will now negotiate the differences between the two proposals, with a final version not likely to surface until near the end of session.
Rep. Mike Chapman (D-Port Angeles) Yes
Rep. Steve Tharinger (D-Port Townsend) Yes
Senate Bill 5974 — addressing transportation resources
Passed the House on March 1 by a vote of 54-43 (one member excused)
This is the revenue bill proposed by majority Democrats to fund their $16 billion, 16-year “Move Ahead Washington” transportation package. The bill does not contain a gas tax increase, but would hike the fees drivers and vehicle owners pay. As passed by the Senate last month, the bill would have imposed a new 6-cent/gallon fuel export tax that would impact Washington state energy producers, and raise fuel prices in neighboring states. After significant push-back from neighboring states last week, House Democrats agreed to drop this controversial tax. Instead, the House version would take $100 million for each of the next 15 years from the public works trust fund. Local governments are likely to oppose that proposal, because they rely on that account to help pay for sewer, water and other infrastructure projects. House and Senate leaders will now work out the differences between the two versions of the bills.
Rep. Chapman Yes
Rep. Tharinger Yes
House Bill 1630 — establishing restrictions on the possession of weapons in certain locations
Passed the Senate on March 1 by a vote of 28-20 (one member absent)
This bill would prohibit open and concealed carry of weapons at voting centers and local government and school board meetings. It would make violations of these restrictions a misdemeanor for first time offenses while second and subsequent violations would be gross misdemeanor offenses. The bill now goes back to the House for approval or rejection of House amendments to it.
Sen. Van De Wege Yes
House Bill 1705 — concerning ghost guns
Passed the Senate on March 1 by a vote of 26-23
This bill has now passed both chambers. If signed by the governor, it would restrict the manufacture, assembly, sale, transfer, purchase, possession, transport and receipt of so-called “Ghost Guns.” These are firearms that are untraceable, because they are assembled from components without serial numbers or other identification, including unfinished frames and receivers. The bill was delivered to the governor for his signature.
Sen. Van De Wege No.
