Jan 22, 2021  -  Business

QUICK REPORT

We are now in the second week of the legislative session and things seem to be moving fast and furious.  Hearings are being held on as many bills as possible as the session moves towards the first cut off date of February 15.

There have been several big bills so far:

SB 5601, the bill to reduce the impact of unemployment insurance taxes was heard last week and passed out of committee this week.  There are still concerns with this bill because of the impact of the increase in the minimum weekly benefit amount but all sides are committed to getting this bill done to help businesses.

SB 5114, the bill to immediately move all businesses to Phase 2 in COVID reopening.  Over 1200 people signed in to either testify or register their opinion on this bill – probably a record.  It is uncertain what the outcome of the hearing will be but with so many people in support of this bill it will be hard for legislators to ignore.

The Senate Labor & Tribal Affairs Committee continues to hear a series of bad bills expanding paid family leave benefits, extending unemployment insurance dollars to more people who voluntarily quit their jobs, and SB 5115 which would create a number of onerous employer burdens during public health crises.  The business community is working overtime to try and stop these bills from passing at a time when businesses are still reeling from the current pandemic, closing their doors, or just hoping they can make it to the time they can reopen.

Finally, this week Rep. Jake Fey unveiled his transportation package.  It is a $26.7 billion package over 16 years and includes and 18 cent gas tax increase that has indexed increases and a $15/metric ton carbon tax.  But, for the SSCCLC the devastating news is that parts of the Puget Sound Gateway project are being paused to save money.  This has brought members of the old Gateway coalition together to draft a letter opposing this move.  SSCCLC is participating in that AND several chamber execs will be testifying opposed to pausing this project during a House Transportation Committee meeting.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Business, Financial Services & Trade (Senate) - Virtual, - 1/21 @ 8:00am

.                  SB 5211 - Public Hearing - Authorizing tax increment financing for local governments. (Remote testimony.) (Support/High)

Housing & Local Government (Senate) - Virtual, - 1/21 @ 8:00am

                  SB 5033 - Exec Session - Limiting the property tax exemption for improvements to single-family dwellings to the construction of accessory dwelling units.

                  SB 5260 - Public Hearing - Requiring annual reporting from the eviction resolution pilot program. (Remote testimony.)

Labor, Commerce & Tribal Affairs (Senate) - Virtual, - 1/21 @ 8:00am

                  SB 5046 - Public Hearing - Concerning workers' compensation claim resolution settlement agreements. (Remote testimony.) (Support/Medium)

                  SB 5137 - Public Hearing - Suspending workers' compensation cost-of-living adjustments for fiscal year 2022, changing the basis of certain future adjustments to the consumer price index, and capping the rate of increase for future adjustments. (Hearing is on the Proposed Substitute.) (Remote testimony.) (Support/High)

Children, Youth & Families (House) - Virtual, - 1/21 @ 10:00am

                  HB 1213 - Public Hearing - Expanding accessible, affordable child care and early childhood development programs. (Remote testimony.) (High)

College & Workforce Development (House) - Virtual, - 1/21 @ 10:00am

                  HB 1033 - Exec Session - Concerning the Washington customized employment training program. (Support/High)

Consumer Protection & Business (House) - Virtual, - 1/21 @ 10:00am

                  HB 1015 - Exec Session - Creating the Washington equitable access to credit act. (Support/High)

Environment, Energy & Technology (Senate) - Virtual, - 1/21 @ 10:30am

                  SB 5062 - Exec Session - Concerning the management, oversight, and use of data. (Concerns/High)

Law & Justice (Senate) - Virtual, - 1/21 @ 10:30am

              SB 5025 - Exec Session - Concerning the consumer protection improvement act. (Oppose/High)

Environment & Energy (House) - Virtual, - 1/21 @ 1:30pm

              HB 1091 - Exec Session - Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the carbon intensity of transportation fuel. (Oppose/High)

              HB 1117 - Public Hearing - Promoting salmon recovery through revisions to the state's comprehensive planning framework. (Remote testimony.)

Higher Education & Workforce Development (Senate) - Virtual, - 1/21 @ 1:30pm

              SB 5194 - Public Hearing - Providing for equity and access in the community and technical colleges. (Remote testimony.) (Concerns/Medium)

              SB 5215 - Public Hearing - Increasing the maximum Washington college grant award at independent institutions of higher education. (Remote testimony.) (Support/Medium)

Transportation (House) - Virtual, - 1/21 @ 3:30pm

              HB 1135 - Public Hearing - Making transportation appropriations for the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium. (Remote testimony.) (High)

              HB 1136 - Public Hearing - Making 2019-2021 supplemental transportation appropriations. (Remote testimony.) (High)

Early Learning & K-12 Education (Senate) - Virtual, - 1/22 @ 8:00am

              SB 5237 - Public Hearing - Expanding accessible, affordable child care and early childhood development programs. (Remote testimony.) (High)

Labor & Workplace Standards (House) - Virtual, - 1/22 @ 8:00am

              HB 1076 - Public Hearing - Allowing whistleblowers to bring actions on behalf of the state for violations of workplace protections. (Remote testimony.) (Oppose/High)

Environment & Energy (House) - Virtual, - 1/22 @ 10:00am

              HB 1084 - Public Hearing - Reducing statewide greenhouse gas emissions by achieving greater decarbonization of residential and commercial buildings. (Remote testimony.) (Oppose/High)

Finance (House) - Virtual, - 1/25 @ 10:00am

              HB 1070 - Public Hearing - Modifying allowed uses of local tax revenue for affordable housing and related services to include the acquisition and construction of affordable housing and facilities. (Remote testimony.)

Children, Youth & Families (House) - Virtual, - 1/25 @ 1:30pm

              HB 1221 - Public Hearing - Standardizing homelessness definitions. (Remote testimony.)

State Government & Tribal Relations (House) - Virtual, - 1/25 @ 1:30pm

              HB 1264 - Public Hearing - Establishing an equity impact statement for legislative proposals. (Remote testimony.) (High)

Transportation (House) - Virtual, - 1/25 @ 3:30pm

              HB 1137 - Public Hearing - Elevating road maintenance and preservation in transportation planning. (Remote testimony.) (High)

Ways & Means (Senate) - Virtual, - 1/25 @ 4:00pm

              SB 5251 - Public Hearing - Modifying tax and revenue laws in a manner that is not estimated to affect state or local tax collections, by easing compliance burdens for taxpayers, clarifying ambiguities, making technical corrections, and providing administrative efficiencies. (Remote testimony.)

Education (House) - Virtual, - 1/26 @ 8:00am

              HB 1176 - Public Hearing - Concerning access to higher education. (Remote testimony.) (Neutral/Low)

Housing & Local Government (Senate) - Virtual, - 1/26 @ 8:00am

              SB 5235 - Public Hearing - Increasing housing unit inventory by removing arbitrary limits on housing options. (Remote testimony.)

              SB 5243 - Public Hearing - Creating efficiency in housing by streamlining approval of engineered plans. (Remote testimony.)

              SB 5287 - Public Hearing - Concerning affordable housing incentives. (Remote testimony.) (Monitoring)

Housing, Human Services & Veterans (House) - Virtual, - 1/26 @ 8:00am

              HB 1236 - Public Hearing - Protecting residential tenants from the beginning to end of their tenancies by penalizing the inclusion of unlawful lease provisions and limiting the reasons for eviction, refusal to continue, and termination. (Remote testimony.)

Labor & Workplace Standards (House) - Virtual, - 1/26 @ 10:00am

              HB 1206 - Public Hearing - Protecting temporary workers. (Remote testimony.) (Oppose/High)

Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks (Senate) - Virtual, - 1/26 @ 1:30pm

              SB 5207 - Public Hearing - Concerning environmental permit streamlining. (Remote testimony.)

Capital Budget (House) - Virtual, - 1/26 @ 1:30pm

              HB 1101 - Public Hearing - Creating a grant program for converting unused public buildings to housing for homeless persons. (Remote testimony.)

              HB 1154 - Public Hearing - Concerning the building communities fund program. (Remote testimony.)

Finance (House) - Virtual, - 1/26 @ 1:30pm

              HB 1189 - Public Hearing - Authorizing tax increment financing for local governments. (Remote testimony.) (Support/High)

Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation (Senate) - Virtual, - 1/26 @ 1:30pm

              SB 5214 - Public Hearing - Concerning economic assistance programs. (Remote testimony.) (Medium)

              SB 5241 - Public Hearing - Promoting economic inclusion. (Remote testimony.) (High)

Transportation (Senate) - Virtual, - 1/26 @ 4:00pm

              SB 5232 - Public Hearing - Limiting bonding toll revenues on certain state highway facilities. (Remote testimony.) (High)

Ways & Means (Senate) - Virtual, - 1/26 @ 4:00pm

              SB 5162 - Public Hearing - Concerning unanticipated revenue. (Remote testimony.) (Medium)

Children, Youth & Families (House) - Virtual, - 1/27 @ 8:00am

              HB 1213 - Exec Session - Expanding accessible, affordable child care and early childhood development programs. (High)

              HB 1221 - Exec Session - Standardizing homelessness definitions.

Health & Long Term Care (Senate) - Virtual, - 1/27 @ 8:00am

              SB 5149 - Public Hearing - Funding foundational public health services. (Remote testimony.) (Oppose/High)

Labor & Workplace Standards (House) - Virtual, - 1/27 @ 10:00am

              HB 1073 - Exec Session - Expanding coverage of the paid family and medical leave program. (Oppose/High)

              HB 1076 - Exec Session - Allowing whistleblowers to bring actions on behalf of the state for violations of workplace protections. (Oppose/High)

              HB 1087 - Exec Session - Clarifying the continuity of employee family and medical leave rights. (Oppose/High)

              HB 1097 - Exec Session - Increasing worker protections. (Oppose/High)

Local Government (House) - Virtual, - 1/27 @ 10:00am

              HB 1144 - Public Hearing - Concerning standing before the growth management hearings board. (Remote testimony.

              HB 1157 - Public Hearing - Increasing housing supply through the growth management act and housing density tax incentives for local governments. (Remote testimony.)

              HB 1220 - Public Hearing - Supporting emergency shelters and housing through local planning and development regulations. (Remote testimony.)

Housing & Local Government (Senate) - Virtual, - 1/27 @ 10:30am

              SB 5269 - Public Hearing - Including the value of increased residential building capacity in the property tax levy limit calculation. (Remote testimony.) (Monitoring)

              SB 5312 - Public Hearing - Facilitating transit-oriented development and increasing housing inventory. (Remote testimony.) (Monitoring)

Labor, Commerce & Tribal Affairs (Senate) - Virtual, - 1/27 @ 10:30am

              SB 5046 - Exec Session - Concerning workers' compensation claim resolution settlement agreements. (Support/Medium)

Business, Financial Services & Trade (Senate) - Virtual, - 1/28 @ 8:00am

              SB 5262 - Public Hearing - Broadening the eligibility requirements and extending the expiration date for the data center tax incentive. (Remote testimony.) (Support/High)

Finance (House) - Virtual, - 1/28 @ 8:00am

              HB 1070 - Exec Session - Modifying allowed uses of local tax revenue for affordable housing and related services to include the acquisition and construction of affordable housing and facilities.

Labor, Commerce & Tribal Affairs (Senate) - Virtual, - 1/28 @ 8:00am

              SB 5172 - Public Hearing - Concerning the retroactivity of overtime claims in exceptional cases. (Remote testimony.) (Low)

Children, Youth & Families (House) - Virtual, - 1/28 @ 10:00am

              HB 1221 - Exec Session - Standardizing homelessness definitions.

State Government & Tribal Relations (House) - Virtual, - 1/28 @ 10:00am

              HB 1264 - Exec Session - Establishing an equity impact statement for legislative proposals. (High)

Environment & Energy (House) - Virtual, - 1/28 @ 1:30pm

              HB 1099 - Exec Session - Improving the state's climate response through updates to the state's comprehensive planning framework. (Concerns)

              HB 1117 - Exec Session - Promoting salmon recovery through revisions to the state's comprehensive planning framework.

              HB 1287 - Public Hearing - Concerning preparedness for a zero emissions transportation future. (Remote testimony.) (Monitoring)

Higher Education & Workforce Development (Senate) - Virtual, - 1/28 @ 1:30pm

              SB 5288 - Public Hearing - Increasing access to the Washington opportunity scholarship program. (Remote testimony.) (Monitoring)

Housing, Human Services & Veterans (House) - Virtual, - 1/28 @ 1:30pm

              HB 1228 - Public Hearing - Addressing residential landlord-tenant requirements in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. (Remote testimony.)

Early Learning & K-12 Education (Senate) - Virtual, - 1/29 @ 8:00am

              SB 5200 - Public Hearing - Establishing a tax credit for contributions to student scholarship organizations. (Remote testimony.) (Support/Medium)

Community & Economic Development (House) - Virtual, - 1/29 @ 8:30am

              HB 1170 - Public Hearing - Building economic strength through manufacturing. (Remote testimony.) (Medium)

Environment & Energy (House) - Virtual, - 1/29 @ 10:00am

              HB 1099 - Exec Session - Improving the state's climate response through updates to the state's comprehensive planning framework. (Concerns)

              HB 1117 - Exec Session - Promoting salmon recovery through revisions to the state's comprehensive planning framework.

LEGISLATION

CLIMATE CHANGE/CARBON TAX

Bill Details

Status

Sponsor

Priority

Position


HB 1084 (SB 5093)

Building decarbonization

H Env & Energy

Ramel

High

Oppose

Reducing statewide greenhouse gas emissions by achieving greater decarbonization of residential and commercial buildings.

As currently drafted, the bill sets state policy to go to full electrification. Although it "allows" the use of gas appliances, language in the bill makes use of those appliances cost prohibitive. Also does not let gas companies expand gas lines outside of current service areas which will impact new construction. READ FULL BILL SUMMARY/REPORT HERE - http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/House/1084%20HBA%20ENVI%2021.pdf?q=20210115104312


HB 1091 (SB 5231)

Transportation fuel/carbon

H Env & Energy

Fitzgibbon

High

Oppose

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the carbon intensity of transportation fuel.

Establishes a Clean Fuels Standard (aka Low Carbon Fuels Standard) in Washington State. Low Carbon Fuel Standards in California have increased the price of fuel for businesses that rely on transportation and trucks on the road. READ FULL BILL SUMMARY/REPORT HERE - http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/House/1091%20HBA%20ENVI%2021.pdf?q=20210111150801


SB 5093 (HB 1084)

Building decarbonization

S Environment, E

Liias

High

Oppose

Reducing statewide greenhouse gas emissions by achieving greater decarbonization of residential and commercial buildings.

Senate version of Governor's Clean Buildings, Health Homes bill that would restrict the use of gas in homes for heating and water, reducing customers choice options and focuses more on electrification than greenhouse gas emission reduction.


SB 5126

Climate commitment act

S Environment, E

Carlyle

High

Concerns

Concerning the Washington climate commitment act.


SB 5141

Env. justice task force recs

S Environment, E

Saldaña

Medium

 

Implementing the recommendations of the environmental justice task force.


SB 5231 (HB 1091)

Transportation fuel/carbon

S Environment, E

Stanford

High

 

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the carbon intensity of transportation fuel.


CTE

Bill Details

Status

Sponsor

Priority

Position


HB 1033

Employment training program

H Coll & Wkf Dev

Leavitt

High

Support

Concerning the Washington customized employment training program.

READ FULL BILL SUMMARY/REPORT HERE - http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/House/1033%20HBA%20CWD%2021.pdf?q=20210115101715


HB 1176

Student fines and fees

H Education

Paul

Low

Neutral

Concerning access to higher education.


HB 1318 (SB 5194)

Comm. & technical colleges

H Coll & Wkf Dev

Pollet

Monitoring

 

Providing for equity and access in the community and technical colleges.


SB 5194 (HB 1318)

Comm. & technical colleges

S Higher Ed & Wo

Liias

Medium

Concerns

Providing for equity and access in the community and technical colleges.


SB 5200

Scholarships/tax credit

S EL/K-12

Schoesler

Medium

Support

Establishing a tax credit for contributions to student scholarship organizations.


SB 5215

College grant award maximum

S Higher Ed & Wo

Conway

Medium

Support

Increasing the maximum Washington college grant award at independent institutions of higher education.


SB 5288

Opportunity scholarship prog

S Higher Ed & Wo

Liias

Monitoring

 

Increasing access to the Washington opportunity scholarship program.


GENERAL BUSINESS PRIORITIES

Bill Details

Status

Sponsor

Priority

Position


HB 1002

COVID-19 grants/B&O tax

H Finance

Walen

 

 

Providing a business and occupation tax exemption for qualifying grants related to COVID-19 relief.

This will be an important bill for businesses that received monies from the federal Government or the state Government to help during the COVID pandemic. Ensuring that they do not have to pay B&O taxes on those dollars received.


HB 1012

B&O tax credit/COVID-19

H Finance

MacEwen

 

 

Providing a business and occupation tax credit to address the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses in the state.

Another version of a bill to protect business from paying taxes on monies received from government that were intended to help them weather the pandemic.


HB 1015

Equitable access to credit

H ConsPro&Bus

Maycumber

High

Support

Creating the Washington equitable access to credit act.


HB 1021

Unemployment benefit charges

H Labor & Workpla

MacEwen

High

Support

Concerning relief of benefit charges when discharge is a result of a gubernatorial declaration of emergency or related executive order.

Lengthens the time allows for relief from benefit charges to April 22 in order to accommodate all COVID related layoffs to help reduce employer specific UI taxes.


HB 1073

Paid leave coverage

H Labor & Workpl

Berry

High

Oppose

Expanding coverage of the paid family and medical leave program.

Expands benefits in new Paid Family Leave Program -- not agreed to by the business members of the Paid Family Leave Advisory Committee READ FULL BILL SUMMARY/REPORT HERE - http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/House/1073%20HBA%20LAWS%2021.pdf?q=20210115105717


HB 1076

Workplace violations/qui tam

H Labor & Workpl

Hansen

High

Oppose

Allowing whistleblowers to bring actions on behalf of the state for violations of workplace protections.


HB 1080 (SB 5083)

Capital budget 2021-2023

H Cap Budget

Tharinger

High

 

Concerning the capital budget. -- Sec 3095 -- $4 million for Wood Stove Changeouts

Reappropriates $2.5 million in Wood Stove Changeout programs for remainder of 19-21 biennium. Increases Changeout program dollars to $4 million in 21-23 biennium. READ FULL BILL SUMMARY/REPORT HERE - http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/House/1080%20HBA%20CB%2021.pdf?q=20210115101823


HB 1087

Family/med leave continuity

H Labor & Workpla

Berry

High

Oppose

Clarifying the continuity of employee family and medical leave rights.


SHB 1095

Emergency assistance/tax

H FINDPS

Walen

High

Support

Concerning the taxation of governmental financial assistance programs addressing the impacts of conditions giving rise to a gubernatorial or presidential emergency proclamation by creating state business and occupation tax and state public utility tax exemptions, a sales and use tax exemption for the receipt of such financial assistance, and clarifying the sales and use tax obligations for goods and services purchased by recipients of such financial assistance.

For any business in the state that had to take loans or grants to get through COVID, the dollars received are exempted from state taxation. READ FULL BILL SUMMARY/REPORT HERE - http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/House/1095%20HBA%20FIN%2021.pdf?q=20210111153913


HB 1097 (SB 5090)

Worker protections

H Labor & Workpl

Sells

High

Oppose

Increasing worker protections.

Imposes additional and increased penalties against employers for violations of safety and health standards.


HB 1098 (SSB 5061)

Unemployment insurance

H Labor & Workpl

Sells

High

Support

Concerning unemployment insurance.


HB 1111

Investments/B&O tax

H Finance

Cody

Medium

Concerns

Concerning investment income tax deductions.

Removes existing tax deductions for investment income.


HB 1177

State spending prgs. review

H Approps

Stokesbary

Medium

Support

Implementing the periodic review of state spending programs.


HB 1178

Zero-based budget reviews

H Approps

Stokesbary

Medium

Support

Improving state budgeting through zero-based budget reviews.


HB 1188

B&O tax payment deferral

H Finance

MacEwen

Medium

Support

Providing a business and occupation tax payment deferral to address the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses in the state.


HB 1191

Health coverage

H HC/Wellness

Thai

High

 

Ensuring equity in health coverage.


HB 1201 (SB 5149)

Found. public health funding

H Finance

Riccelli

High

Oppose

Funding foundational public health services.


HB 1206 (SB 5218)

Temporary workers

H Labor & Workpl

Berry

High

Oppose

Protecting temporary workers.


HB 1213 (SB 5237)

Child care & early dev. exp.

H Children, Yout

Senn

High

 

Expanding accessible, affordable child care and early childhood development programs.


HB 1217 (SB 5172)

Overtime claim retroactivity

H Labor & Workpl

Hoff

Medium

Support

Concerning the retroactivity of overtime claims in exceptional cases.


HB 1244

Emergency proc. penalties

H Labor & Workpl

Mosbrucker

High

Support

Prohibiting civil penalties for first-time violations of standards regulated under emergency proclamations.


HB 1245

State estate tax, repealing

H Finance

Orcutt

High

Support

Repealing the state estate tax.


HB 1257

Employee personal vehicles

H Labor & Workpl

Orcutt

Medium

Concerns

Prohibiting unjustified employer searches of employee personal vehicles.


HB 1264 (SB 5274)

Equity impact statement

H State Govt & T

Thai

High

 

Establishing an equity impact statement for legislative proposals.


HB 1272

Health system transparency

H HC/Wellness

Macri

Monitoring

 

Concerning health system transparency.


HB 1299

Hospitality industry/B&O tax

H Finance

Vick

Monitoring

 

Providing business and occupation tax relief to the hospitality industry.


HB 1303

Personal information sale

H Finance

Kloba

Monitoring

 

Concerning the regulation and taxation of the sale of Washingtonian's personal information and related data.


HB 1321 (SB 5114)

Reopening/public health

H HC/Wellness

MacEwen

Monitoring

 

Concerning safely reopening Washington.


HB 1334

Appropriations/COVID-19

H Approps

Stokesbary

Monitoring

 

Making appropriations to revive our economy and accelerate a lasting recovery for Washington.


HB 1343

Unemployment ins./employers

 

Hoff

High

Support

Providing employer relief in unemployment insurance by relieving COVID-19-related benefit charges, providing contribution relief, making appropriations to rebuild the unemployment trust fund and making clarifying changes.


SB 5023

Child care/unemployment

S EL/K-12

Wilson

Medium

 

Concerning working connections child care eligibility and unemployment benefits.

READ FULL BILL SUMMARY/REPORT HERE - http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate/5023%20SBA%20EDU%2021.pdf?q=20210115104727


SB 5025

Consumer protection act

S Law & Justice

Rolfes

High

Oppose

Concerning the consumer protection improvement act.

This bill appears to allow small businesses the ability to better utilize the services of the attorney general's offices but also increases penalties under the consumer protection act that causes concerns. READ FULL BILL SUMMARY/REPORT HERE - http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate/5025%20SBA%20LAW%2021.pdf?q=20210115104800


SB 5046

Worker comp claim agreements

S Labor, Comm &

Conway

Medium

Support

Concerning workers' compensation claim resolution settlement agreements.

Allows lump sum settlements in the state's workers comp system to be paid in conjunction with social security payments. This is a fix that is supported by both business and labor.


SSB 5061 (HB 1098)

Unemployment insurance

S Rules 2

Keiser

High

Support

Concerning unemployment insurance.

The purpose of this bill is to help reduce the impact of unemployment insurance tax rates while still ensuring a healthy UI trust fund. READ FULL BILL SUMMARY/REPORT HERE - http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate/5061%20SBR%20LCTA%20TA%2021.pdf?q=20210115114026


SB 5062

Data

S Environment, E

Carlyle

High

Concerns

Concerning the management, oversight, and use of data.

READ FULL BILL SUMMARY/REPORT HERE - http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate/5062%20SBA%20ENET%2021.pdf?q=20210115102955


SB 5064

Unemployment/voluntary

S Labor, Comm &

Saldaña

High

Oppose

Concerning qualifications for unemployment insurance when an individual voluntarily leaves work.


SB 5090 (HB 1097)

Worker protections

S Labor, Comm &

Keiser

High

Oppose

Increasing worker protections.

Increases penalties for safety standard violations and


SB 5096

Capital gains tax

S Ways & Means

Robinson

High

Oppose

Concerning an excise tax on gains from the sale or exchange of certain capital assets.

READ FULL BILL SUMMARY/REPORT HERE - http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate/5096%20SBA%20WM%2021.pdf?q=20210115105041


SB 5097

Paid leave coverage

S Labor, Comm &

Robinson

High

Oppose

Expanding coverage of the paid family and medical leave program.

Increases benefits in the Paid Family and Medical Leave program - which increases costs. These changes are not agreed to by the business members of the Paid Family and Medical Leave Advisory Committee READ FULL BILL SUMMARY/REPORT HERE - http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate/5097%20SBA%20LCTA%2021.pdf?q=20210115105308


SB 5114 (HB 1321)

Reopening/public health

S State Govt & E

Braun

High

Support

Concerning safely reopening Washington.


SB 5137

Workers' comp COL adjustment

S Labor, Comm &

King

High

Support

Suspending workers' compensation cost-of-living adjustments for fiscal year 2022, changing the basis of certain future adjustments to the consumer price index, and capping the rate of increase for future adjustments.


SB 5149 (HB 1201)

Found. public health funding

S Health & Long

Robinson

High

Oppose

Funding foundational public health services.

This applies a $3.25 tax per individual on health care plans and TPAs. Would increase the cost of health insurance for small businesses.


SB 5156

Budget stabilization approps

S Ways & Means

Rolfes

High

Concerns

Making expenditures from the budget stabilization account to address issues of homelessness, home security, and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on small businesses.


SB 5162

Unanticipated revenue

S Ways & Means

Rolfes

Medium

 

Concerning unanticipated revenue.


SB 5172 (HB 1217)

Overtime claim retroactivity

S Labor, Comm &

King

Low

 

Concerning the retroactivity of overtime claims in exceptional cases.


SB 5191

Business practices/emergency

S Law & Justice

Darneille

High

Concerns

Regulating unfair business practices and prohibiting predatory price increases during states of emergency.

This the Attorney General's bill to stop price gouging during emergencies. Some language revisions needed to ensure legitimate business price increases are protected.


SB 5197

Unemp. contributions/wages

S Labor, Comm &

Schoesler

Medium

Support

Concerning wages for unemployment insurance contributions.


SB 5204

Whole WA health trust

S Health & Long

Hasegawa

Medium

Concerns

Creating the whole Washington health trust.


SB 5218 (HB 1206)

Temporary workers

S Labor, Comm &

Keiser

High

Oppose

Protecting temporary workers.


SB 5234

Long-term care trust repeal

S Health & Long T

Padden

 

 

Repealing the long-term services and supports trust program and the premium assessment on wages.


SB 5237 (HB 1213)

Child care & early dev. exp.

S EL/K-12

Wilson

High

 

Expanding accessible, affordable child care and early childhood development programs.


SB 5241

Economic inclusion

S Human Svcs, Re

Dhingra

High

 

Promoting economic inclusion.


SB 5251

Tax and revenue laws

S Ways & Means

Schoesler

 

 

Modifying tax and revenue laws in a manner that is not estimated to affect state or local tax collections, by easing compliance burdens for taxpayers, clarifying ambiguities, making technical corrections, and providing administrative efficiencies.


HOUSING/HOMELESSNESS

Bill Details

Status

Sponsor

Priority

Position


HB 1035

Rent relief & housing

H Finance

Kloba

 

 

Providing local governments with options to grant rent relief and preserve affordable housing in their communities.


HB 1070

Housing/local tax revenue

H Finance

Ryu

 

 

Modifying allowed uses of local tax revenue for affordable housing and related services to include the acquisition and construction of affordable housing and facilities.


HB 1099

Comprehensive planning

H Env & Energy

Duerr

 

Concerns

Improving the state's climate response through updates to the state's comprehensive planning framework.


HB 1101

Unused public buildings

H Cap Budget

Walsh

 

 

Creating a grant program for converting unused public buildings to housing for homeless persons.


HB 1117

Comp. planning/salmon

H Env & Energy

Lekanoff

 

 

Promoting salmon recovery through revisions to the state's comprehensive planning framework.


HB 1128

Housing benefit districts

H Local Govt

Ryu

High

Support

Concerning housing benefit districts.


HB 1144

Growth mngmt board standing

H Local Govt

Hoff

 

 

Concerning standing before the growth management hearings board.


HB 1154

Building communities fund

H Cap Budget

Ortiz-Self

 

 

Concerning the building communities fund program.


HB 1157

Housing supply

H Local Govt

Bateman

 

 

Increasing housing supply through the growth management act and housing density tax incentives for local governments.


HB 1220

Emergency shelters & housing

H Local Govt

Peterson

 

 

Supporting emergency shelters and housing through local planning and development regulations.


HB 1221

Homelessness definitions

H Children, Yout

Rule

 

 

Standardizing homelessness definitions.


HB 1228

Landlord-tenant/COVID-19

H Hous, Human Sv

Barkis

 

 

Addressing residential landlord-tenant requirements in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.


HB 1232

GMA/affordable housing plans

H Local Govt

Barkis

 

 

Planning for affordable housing under the growth management act.


HB 1236

Residential tenants

H Hous, Human Sv

Macri

 

 

Protecting residential tenants from the beginning to end of their tenancies by penalizing the inclusion of unlawful lease provisions and limiting the reasons for eviction, refusal to continue, and termination.


HB 1241

Growth management act plans

H Local Govt

Duerr

 

 

Planning under the growth management act.


HB 1298 (SB 5221)

Accessory dwelling units

H Local Govt

Vick

Monitoring

 

Concerning regulation of accessory dwelling units located outside of urban growth areas.


HB 1337

Accessory dwelling units

 

Gregerson

Monitoring

 

Concerning accessory dwelling units.


SB 5012

Affordable housing funding

S Housing & Loca

Lovelett

 

 

Providing a local government option for the funding of essential affordable housing programs.

READ FULL BILL SUMMARY/REPORT HERE - http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate/5012%20SBA%20HLG%2021.pdf?q=20210111151237


SSB 5024

Condominium construction

S Rules 2

Padden

 

 

Reducing barriers to condominium construction.

READ FULL BILL SUMMARY/REPORT HERE - http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate/5024%20SBR%20LAW%20OC%2021.pdf?q=20210115110928


SB 5033

Accessory dwelling units/tax

S Housing & Loca

Kuderer

 

 

Limiting the property tax exemption for improvements to single-family dwellings to the construction of accessory dwelling units.

READ FULL BILL SUMMARY/REPORT HERE - http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate/5033%20SBA%20HLG%2021.pdf?q=20210111151346


SB 5041

Development paperwork

S Environment, E

Fortunato

 

 

Reducing unnecessary paperwork to promote development.


SB 5042

GMA actions effective date

S Housing & Loca

Salomon

 

 

Concerning the effective date of certain actions taken under the growth management act.

READ FULL BILL SUMMARY/REPORT HERE - http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate/5042%20SBA%20HLG%2021.pdf?q=20210111151604


SB 5107

Homelessness/shelter

S Housing & Local

Fortunato

 

 

Addressing homelessness.


SB 5160

Landlord-tenant relations

S Housing & Loca

Kuderer

 

 

Addressing landlord-tenant relations by providing certain tenant protections during and after public health emergencies, providing for legal representation in eviction cases, and authorizing landlord access to state rental assistance programs.


SB 5189

American dream homes

S Housing & Loca

Fortunato

 

 

Promoting housing affordability by incentivizing the construction of American dream homes.


SB 5207

Environmental permits

S Ag/Water/Natur

Wilson

 

 

Concerning environmental permit streamlining.


SB 5221 (HB 1298)

Accessory dwelling units

S Housing & Loca

Gildon

 

 

Concerning regulation of accessory dwelling units located outside of urban growth areas.


SB 5235

Housing options & limits

S Housing & Loca

Liias

 

 

Increasing housing unit inventory by removing arbitrary limits on housing options.


SB 5243

Engineered plan approval

S Housing & Loca

Gildon

 

 

Creating efficiency in housing by streamlining approval of engineered plans.


SB 5260

Eviction res. pilot/reports

S Housing & Loca

Kuderer

 

 

Requiring annual reporting from the eviction resolution pilot program.


SB 5269

Property tax levy limit calc

S Housing & Loca

Das

Monitoring

 

Including the value of increased residential building capacity in the property tax levy limit calculation.


SB 5287

Afford. housing incentives

S Housing & Loca

Das

Monitoring

 

Concerning affordable housing incentives.


SB 5312

Transit-oriented development

S Housing & Loca

Mullet

Monitoring

 

Facilitating transit-oriented development and increasing housing inventory.


SB 5314

GMA/standing & science

 

Short

Monitoring

 

Concerning standing and science under the growth management act.


OTHER CHAMBER BILLS

Bill Details

Status

Sponsor

Priority

Position


HB 1189 (SB 5211)

Tax increment financing

H Finance

Duerr

High

Support

Authorizing tax increment financing for local governments.


HB 1243

Local infra. project areas

H Finance

Wicks

Medium

 

Addressing local infrastructure project areas.


HB 1246

Rural internet infra./taxes

H Finance

Orcutt

Medium

 

Allowing a local sales and use tax as a credit against the state sales tax for rural high-speed internet infrastructure without increasing the total sales and use tax rate.


SB 5211 (HB 1189)

Tax increment financing

S Business, Fina

Frockt

High

Support

Authorizing tax increment financing for local governments.


SB 5214

Economic assistance programs

S Human Svcs, Re

Nguyen

Medium

 

Concerning economic assistance programs.


SB 5216

Tax preferences

S Ways & Means

Carlyle

High

Concerns

Concerning additional transparency and accountability for tax preferences.


SB 5262

Data center tax incentive

S Business, Fina

Liias

High

Support

Broadening the eligibility requirements and extending the expiration date for the data center tax incentive.


SB 5268

Dev. disability services

S Health & Long

Keiser

Monitoring

 

Transforming services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by increasing the capabilities of community residential settings and redesigning the long-term nature of intermediate care facilities.


SB 5274 (HB 1264)

Equity impact statement

S State Govt & E

Hasegawa

Monitoring

 

Establishing an equity impact statement for legislative proposals.


STREAMLINED SALES TAX

No bills.

TRADE, AEROSPACE & MFG

Bill Details

Status

Sponsor

Priority

Position


HB 1170

Manufacturing

H Comm & Econ Dev

Boehnke

Medium

 

Building economic strength through manufacturing.


HB 1190

New space economy

H Comm & Econ De

Boehnke

Medium

 

Fostering economic growth in Washington by supporting emerging businesses in the new space economy.


TRANSPORTATION

Bill Details

Status

Sponsor

Priority

Position


HB 1010

Motor vehicle sales tax

H Approps

MacEwen

High

Support

Dedicating the state sales tax on motor vehicles for transportation.


HB 1036

Transportation fuel/carbon

H Env & Energy

Fitzgibbon

 

 

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the carbon intensity of transportation fuel.

Establishes a Low Carbon Fuel Standard in Washington State similar to California. Concerns about the increase in transportation costs for businesses that rely on transportation and trucks on the road.


HB 1091 (SB 5231)

Transportation fuel/carbon

H Env & Energy

Fitzgibbon

High

Oppose

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the carbon intensity of transportation fuel.

Establishes a Clean Fuels Standard (aka Low Carbon Fuels Standard) in Washington State. Low Carbon Fuel Standards in California have increased the price of fuel for businesses that rely on transportation and trucks on the road. READ FULL BILL SUMMARY/REPORT HERE - http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/House/1091%20HBA%20ENVI%2021.pdf?q=20210111150801


HB 1135 (SB 5165)

Transp. budget 2021-2023

H Transportation

Fey

High

 

Making transportation appropriations for the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium.


HB 1136 (SB 5166)

Supp. transportation budget

H Transportation

Fey

High

 

Making 2019-2021 supplemental transportation appropriations.


HB 1137

Road maintenance/planning

H Transportation

McCaslin

High

 

Elevating road maintenance and preservation in transportation planning.


HB 1204 (SB 5256)

Transp. electrification

H Transportation

Macri

Medium

 

Concerning the electrification of transportation.


HB 1249

Transp. project tax revenues

H Approps

Orcutt

High

 

Concerning sales tax revenues of transportation projects being used for transportation purposes with at least 70 percent being deposited into the motor vehicle fund.


HB 1287

Zero emissions transp.

H Env & Energy

Ramel

Monitoring

 

Concerning preparedness for a zero emissions transportation future.


HJR 4201

Tracking for taxes, fees

H Transportation

Young

Medium

 

Amending the state Constitution so that tracking individuals for the purposes of determining taxes or fees is prohibited.


HJR 4202

Road usage charge limits

H Transportation

Young

Medium

 

Amending the state Constitution so that road usage charges are limited in relation to how they may be implemented.


SB 5028

Vehicle taxes & fees

S Transportation

Fortunato

Medium

 

Limiting state and local taxes, fees, and other charges relating to vehicles.


SB 5165 (HB 1135)

Transp. budget 2021-2023

S Transportation

Hobbs

High

 

Making transportation appropriations for the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium.


SB 5166 (HB 1136)

Supp. transportation budget

S Transportation

Hobbs

High

 

Making 2019-2021 supplemental transportation appropriations.


SB 5231 (HB 1091)

Transportation fuel/carbon

S Environment, E

Stanford

High

 

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the carbon intensity of transportation fuel.


SB 5232

Toll revenue bonding

S Transportation

King

High

 

Limiting bonding toll revenues on certain state highway facilities.


SB 5256 (HB 1204)

Transp. electrification

S Environment, E

Liias

Medium

 

Concerning the electrification of transportation.


Uncategorized Bills

Bill Details

Status

Sponsor

Priority

Position


HB 1093 (SB 5091)

Operating budget, 2nd supp.

H Approps

Ormsby

 

 

Making 2019-2021 fiscal biennium second supplemental operating appropriations.

READ FULL BILL SUMMARY/REPORT HERE - http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/House/1093%20HBA%20APP%2021.pdf?q=20210115101914


HB 1094 (SB 5092)

Operating budget 2021-2023

H Approps

Ormsby

 

 

Making 2021-2023 fiscal biennium operating appropriations.

This is the Governor's Budget proposal that increases state spending by $1.7 billion. To fund this spending level, the budget imposes a capital gains tax. READ FULL BILL SUMMARY/REPORT HERE - http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/House/1094%20HBA%20APP%2021.pdf?q=20210115102003


SB 5091 (HB 1093)

Operating budget, 2nd supp.

S Ways & Means

Rolfes

 

 

Making 2019-2021 fiscal biennium second supplemental operating appropriations.

READ FULL BILL SUMMARY/REPORT HERE - http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate/5091%20SBA%20WM%2021.pdf?q=20210111144017


SB 5092 (HB 1094)

Operating budget 2021-2023

S Ways & Means

Rolfes

 

 

Making 2021-2023 fiscal biennium operating appropriations.

Senate version of Governor's budget that increases spending by $1.7 billion and imposes a state capital gains tax. READ FULL BILL SUMMARY/REPORT HERE - http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2021-22/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate/5092%20SBA%20WM%2021.pdf?q=20210111144047


 

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