The 2021 Legislative Session began on Monday, January 12, 2021 and is scheduled to end on Sunday,
April 25, 2021.
Friday, March 26, 2021 is the last day for bills to pass out of the opposite house committee (except for
those bills in the House fiscal committees and the Senate Ways and Means and Transportation
committees).
Friday, April 2, 2021 is the last day for opposite house bills to pass out of the House fiscal committees
and the Senate Ways and Means and Transportation committees.
Sunday, April 11, 2021 at 5:00 PM is the last day that the legislature may consider and pass opposite
house bills except initiatives and alternatives to initiatives, budgets and matters necessary to implement
budgets, differences between the houses, and matters incident to the interim and closing of the session.
Sunday, April 25, 2021 is the last day allowed for the regular session under the WA State Constitution.
Top Action of the Week:
SB 5237 Expanding accessible, affordable childcare and early childhood development programs.
SUPPORT
SB 5237 establishes the Fair Start for Kids Act and expands access to affordable childcare and early
childhood development programs by

  1. Expanding eligibility and decreasing copayments in the Working Connections Child Care
    Program and expanding eligibility in the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program.
  2. Providing increased rates, training, grants, and services for childcare and early learning
    providers.
  3. Establishing a new account for childcare and early learning purposes and includes a non-
    exhaustive list of allowable fund uses.
  4. Increasing supports for families of children from birth to age 3, as well as their providers.
    Status: SB 5237 has passed out of the Senate and is in the House Children, Youth and Families
    Committee where it is scheduled for a public hearing on Thursday, March 18 at 10:00 AM.
    Action: Contact your representatives on the House Children, Youth and Families Committee and let them
    know that you support Engrossed 2nd Substitute SB 5237. Please support this bill by signing in and
    submitting written testimony to the committee before the March 18 hearing.
    If you can only do one thing, contact your senators and ask for their support and passage SB 5237 out of
    committee. Also please sign in PRO for Fair Start for Kids Act prior to the March 18th public hearing.

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 2
You can contact your legislators by calling the Legislative Hotline at 1 800-562-6000. You can also
contact them by e-mail using this format: firstname.lastname@leg.wa.gov. If you need to look up your
legislators, use the following link to find them: http://app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/
Note: Committee members for House and Senate Committees are listed at the end of this alert.
We have also included hyperlinks on each of the bill actions below, which will take you to the WA State
Legislature’s comment page for the bill where you can enter your support or opposition to the bill and
include a comment (up to 1000 characters).
For a public hearing you may register to testify on the bill, submit written testimony or state your position
without testifying. If you want to testify or to state your position on a bill without testifying you must
register for the hearing at least 1 hour prior to the start of the hearing. Written testimony closes 24 hours
after the start of the committee hearing. To register for any of these options – click here and then choose
the Senate or House and follow the instructions on the screen to register.
Civil and Equal Rights
Child Custody jurisdiction and enforcement related to countries who have the death penalty on the basis of
religious beliefs, political beliefs, or sexual orientation
HB 1042 Revising the international application of the uniform child custody jurisdiction and
enforcement act to protect families from facing the death penalty in certain foreign jurisdictions on
the basis of religious beliefs, political beliefs, or sexual orientation.
SUPPORT
HB 1042 allows Washington courts to refrain from applying Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and
Enforcement Act standards in international custody matters if a parent or child are at demonstrable risk of
being subject to laws of a foreign country that carries a death sentence for apostasy, or a sincerely held
religious belief or practice, or homosexuality.
Status: HB 1042 is in the Senate Rules Committee where it is eligible to be scheduled for a vote by the
full Senate.
Action: Contact your senators and let them know you support HB 1042 and ask that they vote YES when
it comes to the floor for a vote.
Legal aid for undocumented immigrants
HB 1072 Removing only one of the restrictions on the use of civil legal aid funds.
SUPPORT
HB 1072 removes a restriction on the Office of Civil Legal Aid (“OCLA”) funding that prohibits
distributing funds to legal aid providers who use those funds to serve undocumented immigrants.
Status: HB 1072 has passed out of the Senate Law and Justice Committee and is now in the Senate Rules
Committee where it is eligible to be scheduled for a vote by the full Senate.
Action: Contact your senators and let them know that you support HB 1072 and ask for a YES vote when it
comes to the floor.
Voter Eligibility
HB 1078 Restoring voter eligibility for all persons convicted of a felony offense who are not in total
confinement under the jurisdiction of the department of corrections.
SUPPORT
HB 1078 changes the voting rights law to automatically restore a felon’s voting rights as long as the
defendant is not in total confinement with the department of corrections. It states that a person serving a
term of community custody is not considered to be in total confinement of the department of corrections
and does not include confinement imposed as a sanction for a community custody violation. A person who
has had their voting rights restored must reregister to vote before voting
Status: HB 1078 has passed out the Senate State Government & Elections Committee and is headed to the
Senate Rules Committee where it can be scheduled for a vote by the full Senate.
Action: Contact your senators and let them know that you support Engrossed Substitute HB 1078 and ask
for a YES vote when it comes to the floor.

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 3
Ranked Choice Voting
HB 1156 Increasing representation and voter participation in local elections.
SUPPORT
This is an avenue to truly fair elections. HB 1156 does the following:
• It permits the use of ranked choice voting (RCV) in elections for offices in counties, cities, towns,
school districts, fire districts, and port districts, and establishes certain requirements for RCV
ballot design and vote tabulation.
• It adds a cost-recovery provision to the Washington Voting Rights Act (Act) for those who file a
notice alleging a violation of the Act, and
• It permits the Secretary of State to provide grants to local governments to implement RCV or
make changes to their electoral system in response to a notice filed under the Act, subject to
appropriation.
Status: HB 1156 is DEAD as it failed to pass out of the House by the March 9th cutoff date to pass out of
its house of origin.
Peace officer accountability
SB 5051 Concerning state oversight and accountability of peace officers and corrections officers.
SUPPORT
SB 5051 improves the certification, background check, and decertification of law enforcement officers.
The bill accomplishes this by
• adjusting the membership of the Criminal Justice Training Center (CJTC) to a total of 17 persons
including representatives who have not been employed in the last 10 years as a peace officer.
improving the process to decertify peace and corrections officers who have engaged in serious
misconduct,
• requiring the CJTC to issue public recommendations to the governing body of a law enforcement
agency regarding the agency’s command decisions, inadequacy of policy or training, investigations
or disciplinary decisions regarding misconduct, potential systemic violations of law or policy,
unconstitutional policing, or other matters
• requiring law enforcement agencies to report misconduct to the CJTC, and
• requiring a public database containing information about all conduct investigated by the CJTC.
Status: SB 5051 has passed out of the Senate and is scheduled for an executive session in the House
Committee on Public Safety at 1:30 pm on Thursday, March 18.
Action: Contact your representatives on the House Public Safety Committee and let them know you
support Engrossed 2nd Substitute SB 5051 and ask for a YES to pass it out of committee.
HB 1202 Addressing meaningful civil remedies for persons injured as a result of police misconduct,
including by allowing for an award of attorney fees in addition to damages and injunctive and
declaratory relief.
SUPPORT
HB 1202 establishes a cause of action by an individual who was injured by a peace officer or a peace
officer who through reasonable diligence to aid or prevent the injury from occurring and failed to do so.
The bill outlines actions by the peace officer that constitute injury:
• Conduct under civil law that constitutes assault, battery, outrage, false imprisonment, false arrest,
38 malicious prosecution, trespass, or conversion; or
• Executed a detention, traffic stop, search, seizure, or entry into a home that is unlawful under the
state Constitution; or
• Engaged in conduct that violated the duty of reasonable care or
• Violated a provision of RCW 10.93.16 which deals with the restrictions that law enforcement
agencies most follow when dealing with immigration and citizenship status.
A peace officer has a defense against an action if, when the injury occurred, the officer substantially
complied with a regulation, practice, procedure, or policy that was established by the employer or approved
or condoned by superior officers. If the peace officer proves this defense, the employer is independently
liable for the injury if the injury was proximately caused by a regulation, custom, usage, practice,
procedure, or policy approved or condoned by the employer.

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 4
Status: HB 1202 is DEAD as it failed to pass out of the House by the March 9th cutoff date to pass out of
its house of origin.
5066 Concerning a peace officer’s duty to intervene
SUPPORT
SB 5066 requires a peace officer to intervene when the officer witnesses a fellow peace officer engaging in
the use of excessive force. A peace officer who observes wrongdoing by a fellow officer is required to
report the wrongdoing to the officer’s supervisor. Law enforcement agencies must adopt written policies on
the duty to intervene and ensure that all law enforcement officers obtain training on the policy through the
Criminal Justice Training Commission.
Status: SB 5066 has passed out of the Senate and is now in the House Public Safety Committee where it is
where it is scheduled for an executive session on Thursday, March 18th at 1:30 PM.
Action: Contact your representatives in the House Public Safety Committee and let them know you
support Substitute SB 5066 and ask for a YES vote to pass it out of committee.
Unlawfully Summoning Police
SB 5135 Concerning unlawfully summoning a police officer
SUPPORT
SB 5135 creates a private cause of action which allows a person to sue in a civil action for damages against
any person who knowingly causes a law enforcement officer to arrive at a location with the intent to:
• Infringe on the other person’s constitutional rights
• Discriminate against the other person
• Cause the person to feel harassed, humiliated or embarrassed,
• Cause the person to be expelled from a place in which the person is lawfully located, or
• Damage the person’s
o reputation or standing in the community, or
o financial, economic, consumer, or business prospects or interests.

Status: SB 5135 has passed out of the Senate and is now in the House Civil Rights and Judiciary
Committee where it is eligible for a public hearing and executive session.
Action: Contact your representatives on the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee let them know
you support Engrossed Substitute SB 5135 and ask that it be scheduled for a public hearing and executive
session.
Economic Equity and Support for Low Income Individuals and Families
Housing for low-income households and households in need
HB 1070 Modifying allowed uses of local tax revenue for affordable housing and related services to
include the acquisition and construction of affordable housing and facilities.
SUPPORT
HB 1070 allows county and city governments to submit an authorizing proposition to the voters at a special
or general election that modifies allowed uses of local tax revenue for affordable housing and related
services, to include the acquisition and construction of affordable housing and facilities. HB 1070
• Expands the allowable uses of a portion of revenues from the local sales and use tax for housing
and related services to include acquiring affordable housing.
• Requires a county that seeks to acquire a facility using funds from the local sales and use tax for
housing and related services to consult with the city in which the facility is located prior to
acquisition and to ensure that at least 15 percent of the services provided in an acquired facility are
provided for residents of that city.
• Clarifies that affordable housing includes emergency, transitional, and supportive housing for
purposes of the local sales and use tax for housing and related services.
• Expands the allowable uses of a portion of revenues from the state shared lodging tax to include
housing and facilities for homeless youth for counties with a population of at least 1.5 million.
Status HB 1070 has passed out of the House and has been referred to the Senate Housing & Local
Government Committee, where it is scheduled for executive session on Tuesday, March 16 at 8:00
a.m.10:30 AM.

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 5
Action: Contact your senators on the Housing & Local Government Committee, to let them know you
support Engrossed Substitute HB 1070, and ask them to pass it out of committee.
SB 5375– Concerning a study of the difference in low-income housing development in urban and
rural locations.
SUPPORT
SB 5375 directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee to conduct a study to identify and
compare the amount of publicly subsidized low-income housing in urban and rural counties, and to
compare it with the demographics in those areas. To the extent practicable, the study will review
contributing factors that may impact differences. The study will also determine what funding sources have
been provided to low-income housing projects built in rural counties. SB 5375 was amended in committee
and requires the Department of Commerce to contract with at least one affordable housing development
consultant to provide technical and pre- construction assistance to rural communities during the 2021-2023
fiscal biennium.
A substitute version of SB 5375 was passed out of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. It requires the
Department of Commerce to contract with at least one affordable housing development consultant to
provide technical and pre- construction assistance to rural communities.
STATUS: SB 5375 is DEAD as it failed to pass out of the House by the March 9th cutoff date to pass out
of its house of origin.
Public assistance for low-income households and households in need
HB 1151 – Bolstering economic recovery
SUPPORT.
HB 1151 establishes a consolidated emergency assistance program (CEAP) for families with
children. Benefits can be provided to alleviate emergent conditions resulting from insufficient
income. These benefits may be used to provide for: food, shelter, clothing, medical care, or other necessary
items. They may also be used for family reconciliation services, family preservation services, home-based
services, short-term substitute care in a licensed agency, crisis nurseries, therapeutic childcare, or other
necessary services.
Federal emergency assistance funds will be used to supplement the state funds appropriated for the
operation of this program as long as other departmental programs are not adversely affected by the receipt
of federal funds. If state funds appropriated for the consolidated emergence assistance program are
exhausted, the department may discontinue the program.
During a governor ordered a state of emergency and pursuant to an order from the governor benefits under
this program may be extended to individuals and families without children and the 12-month period may be
extended.
The House Housing, Human Services & Veterans Committee passed a substitute version of HB 1151 which
amends this bill to:
• Allow Consolidated Emergency Assistance to be provided more than once in a 12-month period when
directed by the Governor.
• Requires the Department of Social and Health Services to update the standards of need for cash
assistance programs. Currently cash grants are lower than the standard of need for food, clothing,
shelter, and other household costs.
• Adds an emergency clause with an immediate effective date for the provisions related to the CEAP.
• Requires a one-time cash benefit for households whose eligibility for Basic Food is ending to be
funded with state funds.
Status: Substitute HB 1151 is scheduled for executive session at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, March 16 in the
Senate Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation Committee.
Action: Contact your senators in the Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation Committee, let them
know you support Substitute HB 1151 and ask them to pass it out of committee.

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 6
SB 5214 – Concerning economic assistance programs.
SUPPORT
SB 5214 amends the current law that limits the amount of time an adult can receive economic assistance
from the state. It states that the current 60-month limit may be extended if, in addition to the current
exceptions, the recipient is participating satisfactorily in the program, is temporarily prevented from
working or looking for a job, and/or is in need of mental health or substance use disorder treatment. SB
5214 has been amended twice in committee and adds the following additional requirements:
• the extension is the equal to the number of months that the person received a TANF grant during a
month of unemployment at or above 7 percent, and must be applied sequentially following other
hardship extensions that may apply; and
• provides that the bill applies retroactively as of March 1, 2020 as well as prospectively
• provides that a person receiving a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) grant in any
month after March 2020 in which the state unemployment rate is at or above 7 percent is eligible
for a hardship extension to the 60-month lifetime time limit for TANF grants, if the person is
otherwise eligible for TANF except that they have exceeded 60 months.
STATUS: SB 5214 is scheduled for public hearing at 1:30 PM on Thursday, March 18 in the House
Housing, Human Services & Veterans Committee.
ACTION: Contact your representatives in the House Committee on Housing, Human Services &
Veterans, tell them you support 2nd Substitute SB 5214 and ask that it be scheduled for executive session
and passed out of committee.
Economic inclusion
SB 5241 – Promoting economic inclusion.
SUPPORT
SB 5241 directs the department of commerce to establish and oversee the implementation of economic
inclusion grants for local communities with an emphasis on economically distressed communities as
defined by the department of commerce. The purpose of these grants is to promote equity, economic
inclusion, and a stable financial foundation for people experiencing poverty (at or below 200% of the
federal poverty level). Recipients of the grants are required amongst other provisions to
• Coordinate existing poverty reduction resources and benefits to make them easier to access
• Develop a local leadership coalition or use an existing local partnership that includes people
experiencing poverty, people of color, homelessness programs, and representatives of the
workforce development council, community service offices, Medicaid, accountable communities
of health, and associate development organizations, and may include other members
• Work with people experiencing poverty to ensure they have access to multiple benefits to help
them meet their basic needs
• Ensure equitable access to state and local government services for people with disabilities
• Ensure options for career development, English language learners, and other services for both
parents in two-parent families, including childcare if desired by the family, and
• To the extent allowable under federal law, access to benefits may not be conditioned upon seeking
employment nor limited to people pursuing individual career plans, and benefits must be available
to people experiencing poverty who are in need of financial stability whether or not they are
pursuing career plans.
The bill also allows the Department of Commerce in consultation with the steering committee and to apply
for federal waivers to remove federal barriers to coordinating service delivery across multiple programs,
where possible.
STATUS: 2nd Substitute SB 5241 has been scheduled for public hearing at 1:30 PM on Thursday, March
18, in the House Housing, Human Services & Veterans Committee.
ACTION: Call you representatives in Housing, Human Services & Veterans, tell them you support 2nd
Substitute SB 5241 and ask then to schedule executive session to pass it out of committee.
Working Families tax exemption
HB 1297 – Concerning working families tax exemption
SUPPORT
HB 1297 updates and simplifies the structure of the working families tax exemption (WFTE). It also

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 7
expands the tax exemption to include those with individual taxpayer identification numbers or an individual
who has a spouse or dependent without a social security number who would otherwise be eligible.
Remittance calculations are restructured. The department of revenue is to design and implement a public
information campaign to inform potentially eligible persons of the WFTE.
STATUS: HB 1297 passed the House and is scheduled for executive session at 1:30 PM on Thursday,
March 18, in the Senate Human Resources, Re-entry & Rehabilitation Committee.
ACTION: Contact your senators in the Senate Human Resources, Re-entry & Rehabilitation Committee
sign in pro for the working families tax exemption for the March 18th public hearing. Let them know you
support Engrossed Substitute HB 1297 and ask them to pass it out of committee.
.
Assistance for homeowners navigating the foreclosure process
HB 1108 Maintaining funding and assistance for homeowners navigating the foreclosure process.
SUPPORT
Homeownership is a key determinant to building wealth and there is a serious racial wealth gap here as in
the nation. Washington’s Foreclosure Fairness program has been underfunded and needs a permanent fund
source to stabilize to ensure housing counseling, legal aid and mediation to Washington’s families. The
Covid-19 pandemic will very likely lead to a rush of foreclosures once foreclosure moratoriums are lifted.
Rep. Orwall is introducing a series of bills to address foreclosure prevention. She is promoting revamping
the estate tax, as proposed by the Economic Opportunity Institute, to make it more progressive. The
proposal would generate over $100 million in the current biennium of which a portion would be dedicated
to homelessness prevention including foreclosure prevention.
HB 1108 puts in place a temporary stopgap remedy requiring banks and credit unions that own or service a
mortgage for a residential property to offer foreclosure mediation services even though they may have done
less than 250 foreclosures in 2020. Also, the fees increased from $300 to $325 per nonjudicial foreclosure
trustee sale. The expiration date of the remediation requirement is December 31, 2022.
The House passed an Engrossed Substitute Bill: It extends the mediation and certain other pre-foreclosure
requirements under the Deeds of Trust Act and the Foreclosure Fairness Act (FFA) to residential real
property of up to four units and removes the requirement that a property be owner-occupied to the existing
bill.
Please ask budget writers to include the funding below for foreclosure prevention in the operating
budget, as Governor Inslee did, and keep an eye out for a sign-on letter for:
$3.875m in FY 2021 in the proposed supplemental budget and $7.307m in both FY 2022 and 2023 in the
proposed biennial budget for foreclosure prevention, specifically “to assist current and prospective
homeowners, and homeowners at risk of foreclosure. Funding provided in this section may be used for
activities to prevent mortgage or tax lien foreclosure, housing counselors, a foreclosure prevention hotline,
legal services for low-income individuals, mediation, and other activities that promote homeownership. The
department may contract with other foreclosure fairness program state partners to carry out this work.”
Status: HB 1108 has passed out of the House on a unanimous vote. It is now in the Senate Business,
Financial Services, and Trade Committee where an executive session is set for Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at
8 am.
Action: Contact your senators on the Senate Business, Financial Services, and Trade Committee and let
them know you support HB 1108.
Property Tax
HB 1332 Concerning property tax deferral during the COVID-19 pandemic
SUPPORT
Interest and penalties on delinquent property taxes are suspended during the COVID-19 state of emergency
and for 12 months thereafter. During the COVID-19 state of emergency, extensions of the due date for any
property taxes payable in April 2021 for any real property used for business purposes for which the owner
demonstrates a loss of at least 20 percent of revenue for 2020 compared to 2019 shall be available.
Taxpayers have to file an application provided by the Department of Revenue to obtain this extension. If
the application is approved, the county treasurer shall defer property taxes due in April of 2021 to become
due and payable before October 31st, 2021.

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 8
The House Finance Committee amended HB 1332 to allow deferral of all 2021 taxes for qualifying
businesses via the establishment of a payment plan. Penalties and interest will not be applied to taxes under
a deferral payment plan.
Status: Engrossed SHB 1332 was passed out of the House on a 96 – yeas, 1- nay, 1 – absent, 1- excused
vote and is likely headed to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
Action: Contact your representatives on the Senate Ways and Means Committee and let them know you
support HB 1332.
Notification of recorded documents with unlawful racial restrictions
HB 1335 Concerning review and property owner notification of recorded documents with unlawful
racial restrictions.
SUPPORT
HB 1335 was amended in committee and now requires institutions of higher learning to provide research
related to review of existing recorded covenants and deed restrictions to identify those documents that
include racial or other restrictions on property ownership or use against protected classes that are unlawful.
After identifying these, the institution of higher learning they must notify the current owner of the property
with information on how the property owner may record a document striking from the referenced original
instrument all provisions that are void and unenforceable under law.
Many homeowners would never find out about the existence of racial covenants. A number of real estate
companies have created a process through which racial covenant or deed restrictions are identified when a
property is listed, but that will only capture properties when they are sold. This bill is needed to take
proactive measures to assure that these covenants and deed restrictions that are void and unenforceable are
removed from these documents. This bill has the support of the realtors.
Status: HB 1335 has passed out of the House on a 91 yea to 1 nay vote. It is now in the Senate Business,
Financial Services and Trade Committee where it scheduled for a public hearing on Thursday, March 18 at
8 AM.
Action: Contact your senators on the Senate Business, Financial Services and Trade Committee and let
them know that you support Engrossed 2nd Substitute HB 1335.
Automobile Insurance protections for consumers
HB 1428 Concerning automobile insurance policies.
SUPPORT
HB 1428 gives consumers the right to choose a repair shop and force their automobile insurance carrier to
pay for repairs that would restore the vehicle and make the customer whole.
• Requires basic contracts of automobile insurance to provide that, when an automobile is deemed
repairable, it must be restored to its condition prior to the loss.
• Provides that payment must be based on reasonable and necessary costs at the claimant’s chosen repair
facility.
• Provides insurance companies are not required to pay for parts supplied by the original equipment
manufacturer, unless necessary to restore the vehicle to pre-loss condition.
Status: HB 1428 is DEAD as it failed to pass out of the House by the March 9th cutoff date to pass out of
its house of origin.
Protection from certain types of garnishment
HB 1525 Concerning enforcement of judgments.
SUPPORT
With HB 1525 certain funds held in bank accounts, savings and loan accounts, stocks, bonds, or other
securities, are given automatic protection from garnishment (an order to compel third parties to divert funds
from a debtor), attachment (a legal judgement to secure property from a debtor), and execution (a
judgement to require payment of money or property) if the debt falls into one of these categories:
• For private student loan debt: $1,000 in value is automatically protected.
• For consumer debt: $1,000 in value is automatically protected.
• For all other debts: $500 in value is automatically protected.
A writ of garnishment must contain instructions to financial institutions directing them to comply with the
above automatic protections and release protected funds to the debtor. The financial institution is directed

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 9
to only hold funds for the creditor if the debtor’s accounts contain value in excess of the automatically
protected total.
Status: HB 1525 was voted on the house floor and passed with 97 yeas and 0 nays, and 1 excused. It is
now headed to the Senate. It is now in the Senate Business, Financial Services and Trade Committee.
Action: Contact your senators on the Senate Business, Financial Services and Trades Committee and
Senator Pedersen (Chair of the Senate Law & Justice Committee) and let him know that them know you
support HB 1525 and request that it be scheduled for a public hearing and executive session.
Credit Scoring in Insurance
SB 5010 An act relating to prohibiting the use of credit scores to determine rates for personal lines of
insurance.
SUPPORT with CONCERNS
SB 5010 was amended from the original bill which banned the use of credit scoring in insurance. This bill
in its original form was brought forth as OIC/Governor request because credit scoring is discriminatory and
should not be used as a tool to decide insurance rates. People of color and with lower incomes are
disproportionately and negatively impacted by this practice – meaning they are paying higher insurance
rates because of their credit scores – and it must end. It is about racial equity and economic fairness.
This quote from a recent Crosscut article sums it up: A 2015 analysis by Consumer Reports found that, in
Washington state, a driver with poor credit and a clean driving record would pay $690 a year more for
auto insurance than someone with excellent credit and a conviction for driving under the influence. In
2007, the legislature passed SB 5827 by Sen. Hobbs that banned the use of credit scoring for the purpose of
employment. Same concept. We hope this will be the year that credit scoring will also be banned in
insurance.
Check out Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s (OIC’s) credit score website:
https://www.insurance.wa.gov/credit-scoring-ban – the short video on this site – it is excellent! And media
links… in the OIC fact sheet.
SB 5010 was amended in the Senate Business, Financial Services and Trade Committee. The original bill
was an Office of the Insurance Commissioner – and Governor – request legislation sponsored by Sen. Das
that would have banned the use of credit scoring in insurance. The bill was amended by Chair Mullet, with
agreement from Sen. Das and Senate leadership, to prohibit insurers from using a decreased credit score for
a consumer during a three year period. So, at the time of renewal or if the insurer is checking credit scores
(which they only do every three years), if a credit score has gone down, they can’t use the lower score. This
does nothing to help with the systemic unfairness of using credit scores generally which is a proven race
proxy, and which makes credit scores more important than driving records.
The bill as amended made the following changes:
• Prohibits the use of credit history in increasing rates or premiums at renewal for personal
insurance policies until June 30, 2024
• Requires insurers to file a special credit score rate rule by July 1, 2021 and apply it within 90 days
after approval.
• Requires OIC to approve the special credit score rate rule within 15 days of receipt.
Status: SB 5010 is DEAD as it failed to pass out of the House by the March 9th cutoff date to pass out of
its house of origin.
HB 1351 Concerning reasonable exceptions to insurance rates for consumers whose credit
information is influenced by extraordinary life circumstances.
OPPOSE
HB 1351 The insurance industry has come up with a counter strategy (to SB 5010) which says if you use
credit information a person can ask for exception from the rates produced by the algorithms if they show
independently verifiable proof of a catastrophic event.
Status: HB 1351 is DEAD as it failed to pass out of the House by the March 9th cutoff date to pass out of
its house of origin.

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 10
Consumer Protection Act
SB 5025 Concerning the Consumer Protection Improvement Act.
SUPPORT
SB 5025 is legislation requested by the Washington State Attorney General that provides an update to the
civil penalties allowed in the Consumer Protection Act. Maximum civil penalties for violation of the CPA
are increased as follows:
• violation of any injunction issued under the CPA—$215,000
• any contract, trust, or conspiracy in restraint of trade or commerce or monopolization or attempt to
monopolize any part of trade or commerce—$260,000 for an individual or $1,300,000 for a
corporation; and
• unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in trade or commerce—
$13,350 for each violation.
Also, an enhanced penalty of $10,000 shall apply to unlawful acts or practices targeting specific individuals
or communities based on demographic characteristics, including age; race; national origin; citizenship or
immigration status; sex; sexual orientation; presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability; religion;
veteran status; or status as a member of the armed forces.
Status: SB 5025 was voted by the full Senate yeas, 31; nays, 18; absent, 0; excused, 0. It is in the House
Consumer Protection & Business Committee where was scheduled for an executive session on Thursday,
March 11 but so far it has not passed out of committee as no action was taken.
Action: Contact the members of House Consumer Protection & Business Committee and let them know
that you support SB 5025 and ask for a YES vote to pass it out of committee.
Debt-based Driver’s License Suspension
SB 5226 Concerning the suspension of licenses for traffic infractions.
SUPPORT
SB 5226 deals with modifications as to when a WA State Driver’s license can be suspended:
• Eliminates drivers’ license suspension for the failure to pay, respond, or appear at a requested
hearing for a traffic infraction for a moving violation.
• Authorizes the Department of Licensing (DOL) to reinstate all driver’s licenses suspended for
reasons that are no longer grounds for suspension.
• Requires DOL to take reasonable steps to notify anyone whose driver’s license was suspended
who may qualify for reinstatement and create an online application process for people to use to
determine whether they are eligible for reinstatement, within 90 days of the effective date of the
legislation.
Status: SB 5226 was voted on by the full Senate and passed yeas, 33; nays, 16; absent, 0; excused, 0. It I s
now headed to the House Transportation Committee where it is eligible for a public hearing and executive
session.
Action: Contact your representatives on the Transportation Committee and let them know that you support
Engrossed SB 5226 and ask that it be scheduled for a public hearing and executive session.
Homestead Exemptions
SB 5408 Concerning the homestead exemption
SUPPORT
SB 5408 is primarily sponsored by Northwest Consumer Law Center. Senator Derek Stanford introduced
this bill to increase the amount of the homestead exemption to protect Washington state families from
losing their homes or a substantial amount of equity in their homes from a forced sale and to allow those in
need, the ability to file a federal bankruptcy case without losing their primary residence or a substantial
amount of the equity to creditors.
At $125,000—a figure last updated in 2007—Washington’s homestead exemption is currently one of the
nation’s lowest. Increases in home prices have dramatically reduced the value of the exemption throughout
the state—for example, home prices in Okanogan and Chelan counties rose by 37 percent in 2020 alone.
SB 5408 restores homestead fairness to Washington.
The bill as amended in the Senate Law and Justice Committee does the following:
• Changes the homestead exemption to the greater of $125,000 or the county median sale price of a
single family home.

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 11
• Defines a forced sale to include any sale of the homestead property in a bankruptcy proceeding.
• Allows appreciation of the property to be included in the exemption after a bankruptcy filing, even
if it exceeds the statutory limit.
• Allows Washington residents to claim the homestead exemption for property in other states.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing numbers of Washington homeowners rely on the homestead
exemption to protect their homes from creditors. Yet, rising home values have put this option out of reach
for many at the time they need it the most. SB 5408 addresses that problem.
Status: SB 5408 was passed by the full Senate and is now in the House Civil Rights and Judiciary
Committee where it is scheduled for a public hearing on Wednesday, March 17th at 10 AM and for an
executive session on Friday, March 19th at 8 AM.
Action: Contact your representatives on the Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee, let them know you
support Engrossed Substitute SB 5408 and send in written testimony in support of the bill. Let them know
that at time when our state budget is strained by the COVID-19 pandemic and potential COVID-19 relief,
SB 5408 provides real, tangible relief to vulnerable working people and ALL homeowners without costing
taxpayers a cent.
Education
Lead in drinking water
HB 1139 Taking action to address lead in drinking water.
SUPPORT
HB 1139 Requires public and private elementary and secondary schools with buildings built, or with all
plumbing replaced, before 2016, to have drinking water outlets tested for lead contamination to:
communicate test results and other information; and take specified actions if test results reveal lead
concentrations that exceed 5 parts per billion.
It requires the Department of Health (DOH) to conduct lead testing of drinking water in public elementary
and secondary schools by specified deadlines and according to stated technical requirements and designates
the DOH, rather than community water systems, as the principal agency in regard to lead testing,
remediation, and other actions at elementary and secondary schools.
While elimination of any potential lead contamination in school drinking water is absolutely critical, this
bill encompasses the vast majority of schools in the state and falls short on many levels. The level of
contamination is well below the national standard and there is no funding provided for the staffing and
remediation costs that may accrue to our school districts. It also contains no provision for remediation of
potential upstream contamination over which the districts have no control.
This bill has a clause that states that if specific funding is not provide in the budget for this purpose that this
bill would be null and void.
Status: HB 1139 has passed out of the House and is now in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education
Committee where it is scheduled for a public hearing on Monday, March 15 at 1:30 PM and an executive
session on Friday, March 19 at 8:00 am
Action: Contact your senators on the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee and let them
know that you support the safety provisions of Engrossed 2nd Substitute HB 1139 and that funding must
be covered in the budget appropriations.
High School graduation
HB 1162 Concerning high school graduation credit and pathway options.
SUPPORT
HB 1162 is an act relating to creating new graduation credit and pathway options. The COVID-19
pandemic has laid bare the inequities of institutions, including the education system. The 24-credit
requirement doesn’t allow students to fail a class and still graduate on time. The limited number of
graduation pathways discourages students from entering the trades, and by making credit waivers difficult
to attain, students are forced to take courses that do not align with their career paths. This bill will make
graduation more flexible and equitable and will ensure that all students have access to courses that will help
them in their careers. It reduces the number of credits required for high school graduation from 24 to 20
and applies the revised credit requirements to the graduating class of 2021 and subsequent classes. It
establishes an additional graduation pathway option that enables students to meet graduation pathway

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 12
requirements by completing a performance exhibition meeting specified criteria—to give equitable access
to programs already established in multiple WA high schools. And it modifies credit waiver provisions by
limiting a two-credit individual student waiver to students in the graduating class of 2019 and 2020, per
pandemic mic. Without this emergency measures, many districts in the state will be unable to maintain
services.
Status: HB 1162 is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee where it is scheduled for a
public hearing on Wednesday, March 17 at 10:30 AM and an executive session on Friday, March 19 at 8
AM.
Action: Contact your senators on the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee and let them
know that you support Substitute HB 1162.
Learning assistance program
HB 1208 Modifying the learning assistance program.
SUPPORT
HB 1208 Is an act relating to modifying the learning assistance program to enable school districts to focus
on identifying and addressing student academic deficits in basic skills resulting from, or exacerbated by, the
COVID-19 pandemic by granting greater local control over, accountability for, and flexibility with program
funds, and to authorize continued flexible use of program funds through the framework of the Washington
integrated student supports protocol. This bill will allow schools to use the LAP funds according to critical
needs in this national emergency and updates the language to allow districts to utilize the funds according
to needs identified since it was first enacted.
Status: HB 1208 is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee where it is scheduled for an
executive session on Wednesday, March 17 at 10:30 AM.
Action: Contact your senators on the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee and let them
know that you support Substitute HB 1208.
Affordable childcare and early development programs
HB 1213 Expanding accessible, affordable childcare and early childhood development programs.
SB 5237 Expanding accessible, affordable childcare and early childhood development programs.
SUPPORT
HB 1213 and SB 5237 establish the Fair Start for Kids Act and expand access to affordable childcare and
early childhood development programs by

  1. Expanding eligibility and decreasing copayments in the Working Connections Child Care Program
    and expanding eligibility in the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program.
  2. Providing increased rates, training, grants, and services for childcare and early learning providers.
  3. Establishing a new account for childcare and early learning purposes and includes a non-
    exhaustive list of allowable fund uses.
  4. Increasing supports for families of children from birth to age 3, as well as their providers.
    Status: HB 1213 has passed out of the House and is now in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education
    Committee where it is eligible for a public hearing and executive session.
    SB 5237 has passed out of the Senate and is in the House Children, Youth and Families Committee where
    it is scheduled for a public hearing on Thursday, March 18 at 10:00 AM.
    Action: Contact your senators on the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee to let them
    know you support Engrossed 2nd Substitute HB 1213 and ask that it be scheduled for a public hearing and
    executive session.
    Contact your representatives on the House Children, Youth and Families Committee and let them know
    that you support Engrossed 2nd Substitute SB 5237. Please support this bill by signing in and submitting
    written testimony to the committee before the March 18 hearing.
    School safety and security services
    HB 1214 Providing K-12 public school safety and security services by classified staff or contractors.
    SUPPORT
    HB 1214 creates a category of safety and security staff for kindergarten through grade 12 public schools. It
    provides requirements for safety and security staff agreements, data collection, and training, for educational
    service districts, school districts, and charter schools.

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 13
Status: HB 1214 has passed out of the House and is now in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education
Committee where it is scheduled for a public hearing on Friday, March 19 at 8 AM.
Action: Contact your senators on the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee and let them
know you support Engrossed Substitute HB 1214 and ask for a YES vote to pass it out of committee.
Education for youth from institutional education facilities
HB 1295 Providing public education to youth in or released from institutional education facilities.
SUPPORT
HB 1295 Establishes new and modified duties for the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
(OSPI), the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), and the State Board of Education
related to the provision of public education to youth in, or released from, secure facilities, including duties
related to education access and delivery, student supports, data collection and reporting, and facility
policies. It directs the OSPI and the DCYF to jointly develop recommendations by November 1, 2022, for
the establishment, implementation, and funding of a reformed institutional education system and
establishes numerous provisions related to the recommendations of the OSPI and the DCYF, including the
identification of 13 issues that must be addressed, the creation of an advisory group, and the selection of a
third-party entity to facilitate the development of the recommendations and staff the advisory group.
Status: HB 1295 has passed out of the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee and is now in
the Senate Ways and Means Committee where it is eligible for a public hearing and executive session.
Action: Contact your senators on the Senate Ways and Means Committee and let them know you support
Engrossed 2nd Substitute HB 1295.
Enrollment Stabilization
HB 1476 Addressing enrollment declines due to the COVID-19 pandemic
SUPPORT
HB 1476 relates to enrollment stabilization funding to address enrollment declines due to the COVID-19
pandemic; and declares an emergency. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed the delivery of
education across the state and impacted our schools financially, as school districts transitioned to remote
learning environments to protect the health of students and staff. However, inflexible, current state funding
formulas are largely driven by enrollment. The pandemic has resulted in unforeseen, temporary enrollment
declines in many districts, which, if left to the current funding formulas, will result in corresponding
funding declines. The funding formulas do not take into account the pandemic or the temporary nature of
the enrollment changes and this can affect a district’s ability to maintain the staffing and resources needed
to deliver education services. With this act, the legislature intends to provide stabilizing funding to districts
that have seen temporary enrollment declines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Without this emergency
measures, many districts in the state will be unable to maintain services.
Status: HB 1476 is in the Senate Ways and Means Committee where it can be scheduled for a public
hearing and executive session.
Action: Contact your senators and let them know that you support passage of Engrossed Substitute HB
1476 and let them know that you expect to see funding for this in the appropriations budget.
Broadband Access
HB 1336 Creating and expanding unrestricted authority for public entities to provide
telecommunications services to end users.
SUPPORT
HB 1336 authorizes public utility districts, port districts, second-class cities, towns, and counties to provide
retail telecommunications services. This bill is a bipartisan project. The last year has demonstrated to all
that highspeed broadband is essential for modern life. Washington is in a minority of states with restrictions
on some local governments’ ability to provide broadband services. Many in the rural areas do not have
access to services that PUDs could provide. This bill is not just about the rural areas. Plenty of people have
access but it is unreliable and unaffordable. This bill is about getting broadband to the kids who need it so
they can become citizens. With the pandemic, kids need broadband access even more. It represents a
crucial policy shift that addresses economic, education, healthcare, and equity issues. There is currently an
inequitable arrangement where people in more populated areas have high speed Internet and rural areas do
not.

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 14
Status: HB 1336 is in the Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee where it is eligible for
an executive session.
Action: Contact your senators on the Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee to let them
know that you support Engrossed Substitute HB 1336 and ask that they vote YES to pass it out of
committee and that that funding must be included in the appropriations budget. An unfunded mandate will
only harm schools’ COVID financial burden even further.
Inappropriate Use of Native American Names
HB 1356: Prohibiting the inappropriate use of Native American names, symbols, or images as public
school mascots, logos, or team names
SUPPORT
HB 1356 Prohibits public schools from using Native American names, symbols, or images as school
mascots, logos, or team names. Establishes exceptions if certain requirements are met, including tribal
consultation and authorization. Allows for phasing out uniforms or other materials if specified requirements
are met. Creates a grant program, administered by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, to
provide grants to school districts to support schools that incur costs as a result of compliance with this act.
Status: HB 1356 is scheduled for executive session in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education
Committee on Monday, March 15 at 1:30 PM.
Action: Contact your senators and members of the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee to
let them know that you support Substitute HB 1356.
Technology equipment for public school students and instructional staff
HB 1365 Procuring and supporting appropriate computers and devices for public school students
and instructional staff.
Support with Concerns
HB 1365 Requires each educational service district (ESD) to provide technology consultation,
procurement, and training according to specified requirements, and allows procurement to be performed in
consultation and contract with the Department of Enterprise Services. It directs, subject to state funding, the
Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to develop and administer a technology grant
program to accomplish three stated goals. It requires the OSPI to report to the Legislature biennially with a
summary of the activities performed by the ESDs, the status of the state’s progress to accomplish its stated
goals, and an update of activities performed in collaboration with other state, local, and community-based
initiatives related to learning devices and other technologies. **** This is an alternate to a bill that did the
same thing, but actually provided funding to the districts so that they can accomplish the goals.
Status: HB 1365 is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee where it is scheduled for a
public hearing on Monday, March 15 at 1:30 PM and an executive session on Wednesday, March 17 at
10:30 AM.
Action: Contact your senators on the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee to let them
know that you support Engrossed 2nd Substitute HB 1365 and want it approved with funding.
Prioritization of in-person resumption for at-risk students
SHB 1366 Requiring school districts to prioritize the resumption of in-person instruction to certain
students following an emergency.
SUPPORT
SHB 1366 requires school districts that have discontinued the provision of in-person instruction due to an
emergency, when resuming in-person instruction, prioritize instruction for students meeting specified
requirements, including students in foster care, students experiencing homelessness, and students who are
English language learners.
Status: HB 1366 is DEAD as it failed to pass out of the Senate by the March 9 cutoff date.
Housing for school district employees
SB 5043 Providing housing to school district employees.
SUPPORT
There is a housing affordability crisis in our communities. Many educators are priced out of the
communities they work in. Lack of housing is an obstacle to the retention of teachers in all school districts.
Teachers living out of district also leads to increased carbon emissions and congestion. This legislation is a

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 15
way to provide housing to first responders in addition to school staff, all while not increasing education
costs, particularly for small, remote school districts. SB 5043 would allow districts to put to the people the
question of whether they should be able to provide housing to teachers through levy funds and expands the
use of a 100-year-old law in Washington State to all districts. It enables school districts to better retain
staff, particularly staff in underrepresented communities that might otherwise be deterred by housing costs.
Status: SB 5043 is in the House Education Committee where it is scheduled for a public hearing on
Tuesday, March 16 at 8 AM.
Action: Contact your representatives on the House Education Committee to let them know that you support
SB 5043 and ask that it be passed out of committee.
Student Transportation During an Emergency
SSB 5128: Concerning student transportation funding during a local, state, or national emergency
SUPPORT
Currently, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) calculates each school district’s
transportation allocation using the Student Transportation Allocation Reporting System (STARS).
Although transportation expenses decreased very little, by these current formulas based on student
ridership, school district transportation funding will be gutted, just as it is most needed to return students to
the classroom. SB 5128 provides an alternative student transportation allocation formula and allows
expanded transportation services during certain local, state, and national emergencies. This will partially
address the expected underfunding. It also allows school districts to apply for additional funding and allows
OSPI to use student transportation data from prior reporting periods to calculate transportation allocations
immediately following an emergency.
Status: SB 5128 is in the House Education Committee where it is scheduled for a public hearing on
Tuesday, March 16 at 8 AM
Action: Contact your representatives on the House Education Committee and let them know that you
support Engrossed SSB 5128 but without the threat of withholding funds to force teachers into in-person
support – just when those funds are most needed to be able to open schools safely.
Alternative school calendars
SB 5147 Exploring alternative school calendars.
SUPPORT
SB 5147 Directs the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to establish a program to
allow up to 30 school districts to provide 180 instructional days over the course of the entire calendar year
for school district with a minimum enrollment of 500 students, a maximum enrollment of 10,000 students,
and a majority of students qualify for free and reduced price meals. It also requires OSPI to distribute funds
to participating school districts based on a specific formula, subject to appropriation and to report on
various program outcomes. This bill is aimed at helping those students furthest from educational justice to
reclaim any lost progress over the summer. It was placed on second reading on March 1.
Status: SB 5147 is DEAD as it failed to pass out of the Senate by the March 9 cutoff date.
Teaching Washington Tribal History
SB 5161 Teaching Washington’s tribal history, culture, and government.
SUPPORT
SB 5161 requires that all school districts incorporate curricula about the history, culture, and government of
the nearest federally recognized Indian tribe or tribes into social studies curricula by September 1, 2023. It
directs the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop and utilize a system to monitor and
report on district implementation and compliance of tribal curricula requirements and it establishes that all
administrator preparation programs integrate information on tribal culture, history, and government into
existing programs or courses.
Status: SB 5161 is DEAD as it failed to pass out of the Senate by the March 9 cutoff date.
Media literacy and digital citizenship training.
SB 5242 Supporting media literacy and digital citizenship.
SUPPORT
SB 5242 requires the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to establish a grant program
for supporting media literacy and digital citizenship. It requires OSPI to convene two regional conferences

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 16
on the subject of media literacy and digital citizenship and mandates that at least one grant awarded in each
award cycle must be for developing and utilizing a curriculum that contains a focus on synthetic media.
This bill is another intended to bridge our digital divide in schools. We learned in no uncertain terms this
last year that access is one thing, but training is absolutely critical to our teachers and students for them to
function in a digital world
Status: SB 5242 is in the House Education Committee where it is scheduled for a public hearing at 10 AM
on Thursday, March 19th.
Action: Contact your representatives on the House Education Committee to let them know that you support
SB 5242.
Mastery-based learning
SB 5249 Supporting mastery-based learning.
SUPPORT
SB 5249 Requires the Mastery-Based Learning Work Group to develop a Washington State profile of a
high school graduate, in consultation with the Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability
Committee and others. It places a representative from an approved teacher preparation program with
experience in mastery-based learning on the work group, directs the State Board of Education (SBE) to
develop rules relating to the profile of a graduate and requires the SBE to perform a survey on graduation
pathways that includes high school students and recent graduates. Mastery-based Learning provides an
alternative to the traditional education model path to graduation.
Status: SB 5249 is scheduled for an executive session in the House Education Committee on Thursday,
March 18 at 1:30 PM.
Action: Contact your representatives on the House Education Committee to let them know that you support
Substitute SB 5249.
College bound scholarship
SB 5321 Expanding access to the college bound scholarship.
SUPPORT
SB 5321 Eliminates the requirement that a student sign a pledge to be eligible for the College Bound
Scholarship, directs the office of financial assistance to develop a process for auto-enrolling eligible
students, requires that all eligible students receive notification of their enrollment in the program and
eligibility criteria and creates a new $500 stipend for eligible students with family incomes between 65 and
100 percent median family income upon high school graduation.
Status: SB 5321 is in the House College and Workforce Development Committee where it is scheduled for
a public hearing on Wednesday, March 17 at 8 AM.
Action: Contact your representatives on the House College and Workforce Development Committee to let
them know that you support Engrossed Substitute SB 5321.
Health and pension benefits for school bus drivers
SB 5326 Concerning health and pension benefits for school bus drivers employed by private
nongovernmental entities.
Support with Concern
SB 5326 Provides that school districts may only enter into pupil transportation service contracts with
nongovernmental entities that provide health and retirement benefit contributions to their employees
equivalent to those received by school employees. While it is essential that all WA residents are assured of
these benefits, and that the drivers entrusted with our students are supported equitably across the state, there
are no provisions for funding the potential increased cost for districts that must utilize external entities and
this could easily become yet another unfunded mandate that impairs other school needs.
Status: SB 5326 is DEAD as it failed to pass out of the Senate by the March 9 cutoff date.
School Board Director Qualifications
SSB 5340 Concerning qualifications for school board directors.
SUPPORT
SB 5340 expands access and provides the opportunity to increase diversity in school boards. It expands the
eligibility criteria for school board directors to allow lawful permanent residents to qualify, rather than only
United States citizens. It provides that a school board director does not need to be a registered voter to

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 17
qualify, but still must be at least 18 years old and reside within the district. It also provides that a person
who has been convicted of a felony whose right to vote has not been restored is ineligible for the office of
school director.
Status: SB 5340 is DEAD as it failed to pass out of the Senate by the March 9 cutoff date.
Broadband investment acceleration program
SB 5357 Establishing and making appropriations for the capital broadband investment acceleration
program.
SUPPORT
In 2019, the Legislature enacted 2SSB 5511 to establish the Statewide Broadband Office to encourage,
foster, develop, and improve affordable, quality broadband within the state. The 2019-21 operating budget
provided funding for the office through the Department of Commerce. SB 5357 creates the Broadband
Investment Acceleration Program in the Statewide Broadband Office. Unfortunately, this bill had a
requirement for $200M, which was not included in the Governor’s budget.
Status: SB 5357 is in the House Capital Budget Committee where it is scheduled for a public hearing on
Tuesday, March 16 at 1:30 PM.
Action: Contact your representatives on the House Capital Budget Committee and let them know that you
support Engrossed Substitute SB 5357. Let your representatives know that you expect to see funding for
this in the appropriations budget as well.
Reproductive Rights and Health Care
Requiring student health plans to cover maternity care and related services, including abortion
HB 1009 Relating to student health plans.
SUPPORT
HB 1009 requires student health plans to cover maternity care and related services. This includes abortion
coverage. It ensures that student health plans are not exempt from state laws and rules requiring abortion
coverage and are held to the same standard as other market health plans.
Status: HB 1009 passed out of the House and has been assigned to the Senate Health & Long Term Care
Committee, where it is scheduled for an executive session on Thursday, March 18th at 1:30 PM.
Action: Contact your Senators in the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee and let them know
you support HB 1009 and ask for a YES vote to pass it out of committee.
Issuing certificates of birth resulting in stillbirth
HB 1031 Concerning the government issuance of a certificate of birth resulting in stillbirth.
SUPPORT
HB 1031 and SB 5072 create a process allowing any person who gives birth to a stillborn fetus to request
and receive a certification of birth resulting in stillbirth from the applicable state or local registrar.
Status: HB 1031 passed the House and has been assigned to the Senate Health & Long Term Care
Committee. It was scheduled for executive session on March 12th, but no action was taken.
Action: Contact your senators on the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee and let them know
you support HB 1031 and ask that it be rescheduled for an executive session to pass out of committee.
Expanding Paid Family Leave
HB 1073 Expanding coverage of the Paid Family and Medical Leave program.
SUPPORT
HB 1073 expands access to the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program. It changes the eligibility
criterion from working at least 820 hours for an employer to making at least $1,000 with that employer, and
it expands the legal definition of family member to include any individual related by blood or affinity
whose close association is the equivalent of a family member and includes child, grandchild, grandparent,
sibling or spouse of an employee.
Status: HB 1073 has passed out of the House and is now in the Senate Labor, Commerce and Tribal
Affairs Committee where it is scheduled for an executive session on Wednesday, March 17th at 10:30
AM.
Action: Contact your senators on the Senate Labor, Commerce and Tribal Affairs Committee and tell them
you support Engrossed 2nd Substitute HB 1073 and ask for a YES vote to pass it out of committee.

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 18
SB 5097 Expanding coverage of the Paid Family and Medical Leave program.
SUPPORT
SB 5097 expands access to the state’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program. It changes the eligibility
criterion from requiring an employee to work for an employer with 50 or more employees to having been
employed by their current employer for 90 days or more.
Status: SB 5097 passed the Senate and was assigned to the House Labor & Workplace Standards
Committee where it scheduled for a public hearing on March 16th at 10am and executive session on March
19th at 8am.
Action: Contact your representative on the House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee and let
them know that you support Engrossed Substitute SB 5097.
Comprehensive Public Health Districts
HB 1152 Supporting measures to create comprehensive public health districts
SUPPORT
HB 1152 requires counties to form comprehensive public health districts beginning January 1, 2023 and
repeals provisions related to establishing and operating local boards of health, local health districts, local
district boards of health, and city county health departments.
Status: HB 1152 passed the House and was assigned to the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee.
Action: Contact your senators on the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee and let them know you
support Engrossed 2nd Substitute HB 1152.
School based health centers
HB 1225 Supporting school based health centers.
SUPPORT
HB 1225 creates a school-based health center program office within the department of health to award
grants and coordinate with other agencies and entities to provide support, training, and technical assistance
to school-based health centers. School-based health centers advance equity by providing health care access
and support at schools.
Status: HB 1225 passed the House and has been assigned to the Senate Health & Long Term Care
Committee where it is scheduled for a public hearing on Monday, March 15th at 1:30 pm.
Action: Contact your senators on the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee and let them know
you support Substitute HB 1225.
Menstrual products in schools
HB 1273 Menstrual hygiene products in school bathrooms.
SUPPORT
HB 1273, starting in the 2022-2023 school year, would require schools and post-secondary institutions to
make available, at no cost, menstrual hygiene products in all gender neutral and bathrooms designated for
females. This applies to schools and institutions serving students in grades 6 through 12 and institutions of
higher education. HB 1273 was amended and requires that menstrual hygiene products also be available in
a school health room or other location designated by the principal for grades 3 through 5.
Status: HB 1273 passed the House and has been assigned to the Senate Early Learning and K-12
Education Committee where it is scheduled for a public hearing on Monday, March 15th at 1:30 pm and
an executive session on Friday, March 19th at 8 am.
Action: Contact your senators on the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee and let them
know you support Engrossed Substitute HB 1273
Health Equity Zones
SB 5052 Creating health equity zones.
SUPPORT
SB 5052 requires the Department of Health to use health outcome data to identify potential health equity
zones and coordinate with community organizations in those zones to identify projects to address the
zone’s most urgent needs related to health disparities. The Department is then required to report annually
on the projects implemented in each zone.

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 19
Status: SB 5052 passed the Senate and is in the House Health Care and Wellness Committee where it is
scheduled for a public hearing on Monday, March 15th at 1:30 pm and an executive session on Wednesday,
March 17th at 8 am.
Action: Contact your representatives on the House Health Care and Wellness Committee and let them
know you support Engrossed 2nd SSB 5052.
Expanding medicaid coverage during the postpartum period
SB 5068 Improving maternal health outcomes by extending coverage during the postpartum period.
SUPPORT
SB 5068 extends Medicaid coverage to new birth parents from 60 days post-birth to 365 days post-birth.
Status: SB 5068 passed the Senate and was voted out of the House Health Care & Wellness Committee. It
has been referred to the Appropriations Committee where it is eligible for a public hearing and executive
session.
Action: Contact your representatives on the House Appropriations Committee and let them know you
support SSB 5068.
Miscarriage-related patient care
SB 5140 Protecting pregnancy and miscarriage-related patient care.
SUPPORT
SB 5140 Prohibits health care entities from stopping health care providers from providing health care
services related to miscarriage management and treatment for ectopic pregnancies.
Status: SB 5140 passed out of the Senate and has been assigned to the House Health Care & Wellness
Committee where it is scheduled for executive session on Wednesday, March 17th at 8 am.
Action: Contact your representatives on the House Health Care & Wellness Committee and let them know
you support SSB 5140.
Universal Health Care
SB 5399 Creating a universal health care commission.
SUPPORT
SB 5399 creates a universal health care commission for the purposes of developing a plan to create a health
care system in Washington that provides coverage and access through a universal financing system
including, but not limited to, a single-payer financing system, for all Washingtonians. By November 1,
2024, the commission must report its findings to the legislature, along with recommendations on
implementing a universal health care system in Washington to be implemented by 2026.
Status: SB 5399 has passed out of the Senate and is now in the House Health Care and Wellness
Committee where it is scheduled for a public hearing on Thursday, March 18th at 10 am.
Action: Contact your representatives on the House Health Care and Wellness Committee and let them
know you support SSB 5399.
Health Equity in Medical Training
SB 5228 Requiring health equity training in medical school courses.
SUPPORT
SB 5140 Requires the state’s two medical schools, University of Washington and Washington State
University, to add health equity training in the required courses. The bill also requires the medical schools
to set a goal to be more representative of the demographics of the state of Washington.
Status: SB 5228 passed out of the Senate and has been assigned to the House College & Workforce
Development Committee. It is scheduled for an executive session on Wednesday, March 17th at 8 am and
if not passed out of committee on the 17th, for another executive session on Thursday, March 18th at 10
AM.
Action: Contact your representatives on the House College & Workforce Development Committee and let
them know you support SSB 5228.
SB 5229 Requiring health care professionals to complete health equity continuing education.
SUPPORT
SB 5229 Requires a licensed health care professional to complete health equity continuing education
training at least once every four years and requires health equity courses to teach skills that enable a health

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 20
care professional to care effectively for patients from diverse cultures, groups, and communities, varying in
race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality, religion, age, ability, and socioeconomic status.
Status: and requires health equity courses to teach skills that enable a health care professional to care
effectively for patients from diverse cultures, groups, and communities, varying in race, ethnicity, gender
identity, sexuality, religion, age, ability, and socioeconomic status.
Status: ESSB 5229 passed out of the Senate and has been assigned to the House Health
Care & Wellness Committee, where it is scheduled for a public hearing on Monday,
March 15th at 1:30 pm and an executive session on Wednesday, March 17th at 8 am.
Action: Contact your representatives on the House Health Care and Wellness Committee and let them
know you support ESSB 5229
Health Insurance Discrimination
SB 5313 Making it an unfair practice for health carriers to discriminate against enrollees seeking
gender affirming treatment.
SUPPORT
SB 5313 Reduces discrimination by health carriers for enrollees seeking gender affirming treatment.
Specifically, it amends the law (RCW 49.60.178, 41.05.017; 49.60.040, 48.30.300) to make it an unfair
practice for health plans issued or renewed on January 1, 2022, to deny, exclude, reduce or terminate
benefits when a participant seeks provider prescribed gender affirming treatment. Also, if the health carrier
does not have an adequate network of providers with experience with gender affirming treatment, the
health carrier shall ensure the delivery of timely and geographically accessible medically necessary gender
affirming treatment at no greater expense than if the health carrier had an in-network, geographically
accessible provider available.
Status: SB 5313 passed the Senate and is in the House Health Care and Wellness Committee,
where it is scheduled for a public hearing on Monday, March 15th at 1:30pm and an executive
session on Wednesday, March 17th at 8 am.
Action: Contact your representatives on the House Health Care and Wellness Committee and let
them know you support 2nd Substitute SB 5313.
Violence
Sexual assault victims
HB 1109 Concerning sexual assault victims
SUPPORT
HB 1109 requires that if a sexual assault kit results in in hit in the combined DNA index system shall upon
request of the attorney general report changes in case status as to any related criminal investigation and
prosecution to the office of the attorney general. The attorney general’s office is directed to establish
reporting requirements and to submit semiannual reports on the status of investigations and prosecution of
sexual assault cases. HB 1109 also requires that the criminal justice training commission conduct an
annual review of case files from law enforcement agencies in order to identify changes to training and
investigatory practices necessary to optimize outcomes in sexual assault investigations and prosecutions.
The analysis must include the impact that race and ethnicity have on sexual assault case outcomes. The bill
also expands the rights of sexual assault victims to:
• Receive written notice of receive written notice of his or her right to a medical forensic exam at no
cost and other benefits under the Crime Victim Compensation Program
• Receive a referral to a community sexual assault program and if the victim is a minor to a
children’s advocacy center
• Consult with a sexual assault survivor advocate throughout the investigatory process and
prosecution. The presence of an advocate in the courtroom fulfills the survivor’s right to consult
with an advocate while he or she is providing testimony in a criminal trial. Medical facilities, law
enforcement officers, prosecuting attorneys, defense attorneys, courts, and other criminal justice
agencies, including correctional facilities, are made responsible for providing advocates access to
facilities where necessary to fulfill the requirements associated with the survivor’s right to consult
with an advocate.
• Receive timely notification from the law enforcement agency and prosecuting attorney as to the
status of the case

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 21
• Be informed of expected time frames for receiving responses to the survivor’s inquiries regarding
the case status
• Access interpreter services where necessary to facilitate communication
• For minors
• The prosecutor to consider and discuss the survivor’s request for remote video testimony
• The court to consider requests from the prosecutor for safeguarding the survivor’s
feelings of security and safety in the courtroom in order to facilitate the survivor’s
testimony and participation in the court proceedings
• The minor has a right to receive a connection to services in accordance with the county
child sexual abuse investigation protocol, which may include a referral to a children’s
advocacy center

Status: HB 1109 has passed out of the House on a unanimous vote and is in the Senate Law and Justice
Committee where it scheduled for a public hearing on Monday March 15th at 9:30 AM. It is also scheduled
for executive session on Thursday March 18th at 10:30 AM.
Action: Contact your senators on the Senate Law & Justice Committee and urge them to pass Engrossed
Substitute HB 1109 out of committee.
Assault weapons and large capacity magazines
SB 5078 Addressing firearm safety measures to increase public safety
SUPPORT
SB 5078 establishes firearm safety measures to increase public safety by prohibiting the manufacture,
possession, distribution, importation, selling, offering for sale, purchasing or transfer of large capacity
magazines. A large capacity magazine is defined to mean an ammunition feeding device with the capacity
to accept more than 10 rounds of ammunition, or any conversion kit, part, or combination of parts, from
which such a device can be assembled if those parts are in possession of or under the control of the same
person
Status: SB 5078 is DEAD as it failed to pass out of the House by the March 9th cutoff date to pass out of
its house of origin.
Display of weapons
HB 1283 Including the open carry or display of weapons within the offense of criminal mischief.
SUPPORT
HB 1283 adds to the Criminal Mischief RCW the following: if a person “openly carries or displays a
deadly weapon in a manner that would lead a reasonable person to feel threatened.”
Status: HB 1283 is DEAD as it failed to pass out of the House by the March 9th cutoff date to pass out of
its house of origin.
Domestic violence task force
HB 1315 Creating a task force to identify the role of the workplace in helping curb domestic violence
SUPPORT
HB 1315 states that the workplace may be the only location in which an individual experiencing domestic
violence may be free from a perpetrator and feel safe. In either a physical or remote environment,
individuals experiencing domestic violence may also find the workplace a place of shared confidences.
Therefore, the legislature intends to create a task force to explore ways in which the employer and
employee community may help curb domestic violence.
The task force will be a (up to) 12-member committee comprised of representation across industries,
violence and sexual assault coalitions, and to include a federally recognized tribe. The preliminary report is
due 12/1/2021, with final recommendations due 12/1/2022.
Status: HB 1315 has passed out of the House on a unanimous vote and is in the Senate, assigned to the
Senate Labor, Commerce, & Tribal Affairs Committee. It is scheduled for an executive session on Monday
March 15th at 9:30 AM and again on Wednesday March 17th at 10:30 AM.
Action: Contact your senators on the Labor, Commerce, & Tribal Affairs Committee and let them know
that you support HB 1315 and ask that they vote YES when it comes for a vote.

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 22
Civil protection orders
HB 1320 Modernizing, harmonizing, and improving the efficacy and accessibility of laws concerning
civil protection orders.
SUPPORT
HB 1320 consolidates the six types of civil protection orders into a single chapter of the RCW. The six
types of civil protection orders are (a) Domestic violence protection orders; (b) vulnerable adult protection
orders; (c) antiharassment protection orders; (d) sexual assault protection orders; (e) stalking protection
orders; and (f) extreme risk protection orders. It also creates a pathway to consolidate jurisdictional
divisions to a more consistent approach with protection orders. The consolidation will come from
recommendations from the Washington State Women’s Commission in consultation with the administrative
office, the Gender and Justice Commission, and representatives of the courts, and is due 12/1/2021.
Status: HB 1320 has passed out of the House on a 53-44 vote and is in the Senate, assigned to the Senate
Law & Justice Committee. It is scheduled for a public hearing on Tuesday March 16th at 10:30.
Action: Contact your senators on the Law & Justice Committee and let them know you support Engrossed
2nd Substitute HB 1320 and ask for a YES vote when it comes to a vote.
Prohibiting open carry of weapons at public demonstrations and the state capitol
SB 5038 Prohibiting the open carry of certain weapons at public demonstrations and the state
capitol.
SUPPORT
SB 5038 prohibits a person from knowingly carrying a firearm or other weapon while attending a
demonstration – a march, rally, vigil, sit-in or picket which has the effect or intent of attracting a crowd – at
a public place or within 1000 feet of a demonstration. The bill also prohibits any person to knowingly open
carry a firearm or other weapon on the state capitol grounds, in any building on the state capitol grounds, in
any state legislative office, or at any location of a public legislative hearing or meeting during the hearing
or meeting.
SB 5038 was amended with the following changes:
o Adds an exception for federal law enforcement agents and armed forces of the United States and
Washington State.
o Specifies buildings on the state capitol grounds and defines the west state capitol campus
grounds.
o Change demonstrations to permitted demonstrations.
o Changes the distance from 1000 feet to 250 feet within a permitted demonstration for a person
who may not open carry a firearm.
Status: SB 5038 has passed out of the Senate and it is currently in the House Civil Rights & Judiciary
Committee. It is scheduled for a public hearing on Tuesday March 16th at 10AM and is scheduled for an
executive session on Friday March 19th at 8AM.
Action: Contact your representatives on the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee to let them know
you support Engrossed Substitute SB 5038 and ask for a YES vote to pass it out of committee.
Victims of nonfatal strangulation
SB 5183 Concerning victims of nonfatal strangulation.
SUPPORT
SB 5183 directs the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy (OCVA) to develop practices for local
communities to increase access to forensic nurse examiner services in nonfatal strangulation assaults, and
to publish those best practices to its website by 1, 2022. It also directs OCVA to develop strategies to make
forensic nurse examiner training available throughout the state without causing unreasonable travel or
expenses for nurses and report those strategies to the Governor and Legislature by October 1, 2022. The
Crime Victims Compensation Program is authorized to pay for forensic examination of domestic violence
victims of nonfatal strangulation and prohibits charging the victim for the examination.
Status: SB 5183 has passed out of the Senate it is currently in the House Public Safety Committee, where
it is scheduled for an executive session on Thursday March 18th at 1:30PM.
Action: Contact your representatives on the House Public Safety Committee and let them know you
support 2nd Substitute SB 5183 and ask that they vote YES to pass it out of committee.

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 23
Crime victim safety
SB 5245 Concerning the safety of crime victims.
SUPPORT
SB 5245 was amended in committee and now provides that that the department of correction and witness
notification programs are expanded to add victims by domestic violence offenders, certain assault
offenders, vehicular homicide offenders, and controlled substance homicide offenders to receive
notification of the offender’s pending release. Note that violent offenders, sex offenders, and domestic
violence protection order offenders are already included in this RCW.
Status: SB 5245 has passed out of the Senate on a unanimous vote and is in the House, assigned to the
House Public Safety Committee, where it is scheduled for an executive session on Thursday March 18th at
1:30PM.
Action: Contact your representatives on the House Public Safety Committee and let them know you
support Engrossed Substitute SB 5245 and ask that they vote YES when it to a vote.
Budget/Revenue
Tax deduction repeal to provide funds for basic needs.
HB 1111. Concerning investment income tax deductions
SUPPORT
HB 1111 repeals current existing investment tax deductions currently granted to companies and nonprofits
that have sufficient revenues to be able to make financial investments
Status: HB 1111 is scheduled for a public hearing on Tuesday, March 16th at 1:30 PM in the House
Finance Committee.
Action: Contact your representatives on the House Finance Committee and let them know that you support
HB 1111.
2021-2023 Operating Budget.
HB 1094 Making 2021-2023 fiscal biennium operating appropriations
SB 5092 Making 2021-2023 fiscal biennium operating appropriations
SUPPORT
HB 1094 and SB 5092 are the starting bills for the 2021 2023 operating budget. Governor Inslee proposed
this budget as presented in these bills just before the beginning of this year’s legislative session. His
proposal is a good starting place for meeting our state’s needs. But our legislators need to hear from us
now and during their budget negotiations. The details in these bills will change.
Our state’s economy crashed this year because consumer demand collapsed overnight after initial
mandatory closures due to COVID-19. In the months since, consumer spending has further collapsed as
thousands of businesses have closed and more than 1.4 million Washingtonians have filed first-time
unemployment claims.
While our State’s budget picture has improved since last spring, the state still faces significant fiscal
challenges. New revenue is needed support the recovery effort and protect vital state services especially for
the people hardest hit by the pandemic and to protect previous investments in state services.
Funds are needed to

  1. strengthen WA’s public health system,
  2. provide support for childcare providers struggling during the pandemic,
  3. provide food assistance and unemployment insurance,
  4. provide relief for hungry and homeless families,
  5. preserve environmental protections,
  6. support agencies that keep our communities safe, and
  7. provide adequate funding for K-12 education and make investments in higher education
    opportunities.
    Status: HB 1094 was scheduled for a public hearing on, January 14 in the House Appropriations
    Committee.
    SB 5092 had its public hearing on January 12 in the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 24
Neither bill has yet been considered in executive session and both will likely be replaced by legislative
proposals. It is anticipated that the House and Senate will release their budget proposals near March 17,
when the next financial forecast comes out.
Action: In order and be able to serve our states residents especially those that are marginalized and
disenfranchised in our state we need you to deliver a message to your representatives in regard to HB 1094
and senators in regard to SB 5092 that WA State needs a new progressive revenue stream and not
budget cuts. Comprehensive tax reform is also needed to ease the disproportionately high tax burden on
our poorest communities.
Wealth Tax
HB 1406 Improving the equity of Washington state’s tax code by creating the Washington state
wealth tax and taxing extraordinary financial intangible assets
SB 5426 Improving the equity of Washington state’s tax code by creating the Washington state
wealth tax and taxing extraordinary financial intangible assets.
SUPPORT
HB 1406 and SB 5426 establish a 1 percent wealth tax on intangible financial assets of more than $1
billion. Only approximately 100 people in WA State would be affected.
Status: HB 1406 had a public hearing on February 2 in the House Finance Committee.
SB 5426 had its public hearing on February 4 in the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
Both bills are considered necessary to implement the budget.
Action: Contact your representatives on the House Finance committee and let them know that you support
HB 1094 and request that it be scheduled for an executive session to pass out of committee. Contact your
senators on the Senate Ways and Means Committee in regard to SB 5092 and ask that it be scheduled for
an executive session to pass out of committee. Let your legislators know that you support a new
progressive revenue stream and not budget cuts. Our poorest communities can no longer afford the
disproportionately high tax burden they currently face.
Estate Taxes
HB 1465 Making the estate tax more progressive by exempting small estates, reducing estate taxes on
medium estates, increasing the estate tax on larger estates, and addressing equity in homeownership
and homelessness.
SUPPORT
HB 1465 revamps the estate tax to make it more progressive. For an estate of an individual dying on or
after August 1, 2021, changes are made to the estate tax. The exclusion amount is increased to $2.5 million
and the language providing for annual adjustment is updated to reflect the change in the Consumer Price
Index for the Seattle metropolitan area. The rates for estates over $3 million through $9 million are
increased. Additional rate classes are created for estates over $9 million.
The bill further dedicates 10% of the proceeds to the Equity in Housing Account to be used to address
homelessness, including foreclosure prevention, rental assistance, outreach engagement services, housing
services, and behavioral health, with priority for agencies, programs, and services which address current
and historical racial inequities
Note: For the estate of a married decedent, all of the community property and all of the decedent’s separate
property are reported on the estate tax return. The community property assets are then reduced by 50
percent to reflect the deceased individual’s share of the property.
Status: HB 1465 is in the House Finance Committee where it is eligible for an executive session. This bill
is considered necessary to implement the budget and thus is still alive for consideration by the legislature.
Action: Contact your representatives on the House Finance Committee and let them know you support
HB 1465 and ask that they pass it out of committee. Let your legislators know that you support a new
progressive revenue stream and not budget cuts. Our poorest communities can no longer afford the
disproportionately high tax burden they currently face.

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 25
Capital gains tax
SB 5096 Concerning an excise tax on gains from the sale or exchange of certain capital assets
SUPPORT
WA State has the most regressive tax system in the US with those who make the least amount of money
paying the highest percentage of their income in taxes. Whereas the very wealthy paying a very small share
of their income in taxes.
The senate passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5096 amending it to impose a 7 percent tax on capital
gains from long term assets. “Washington capital gains” are defined as an individual’s adjusted capital
gains allocated to Washington state less a standard deduction of $250,000 for all filers, whether filing as an
individual or jointly. The standard deduction will be annually adjusted for inflation.
Long-term assets include intangible or tangible personal property:
• For intangible personal property, the capital gains tax will apply if the taxpayer was domiciled in
Washington at the time of sale or exchange.
• For tangible personal property, the capital gains tax will apply if the property was located in
Washington at the time of the sale or exchange. The sale of tangible personal property will also be
subject to the state’s capital gains tax if:
o the property was located in Washington at any time during the current or immediately
preceding taxable year;
o the taxpayer was a Washington resident at the time of the sale or exchange; and the sale
was not subject to income or excise tax on the adjusted capital gain by another taxing
jurisdiction.

The following assets are exempt from the capital gains tax:
• all real estate;
• controlling interest in an entity that sold property subject to real estate excise tax to the extent
capital gain or loss is from the controlling interest sale is directly attributable to real property;
• retirement assets, including 401(k), a tax-sheltered annuity and custodial account, deferred
compensation plans, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), Roth IRAs, employee defined
contribution programs, employee defined benefit programs, or similar retirement saving
vehicles;
• assets condemned by the government;
• cattle, horses, or breeding livestock, if 50 percent of the taxpayer’s gross income for the year
is from farming or ranching;
• certain depreciable property used in a trade or business;
• goodwill received from the sale of an automobile dealership; and
• timber, timberlands, or receipts from a Real Estate Investment Trust.
The proceeds from the tax must be distributed as follows, adjusted annually for inflation:

  1. The first $350,000,000 collected each fiscal year must be deposited into the Education Legacy
    Trust Account;
  2. The next $100,000,000 collected each fiscal year must be deposited in the State General Fund; and
  3. The remainder each fiscal year will be deposited into the newly created Taxpayer Fairness
    Account.
    The capital gains tax may soon be passed by the legislature in order to help estimate how much money is
    available for the spending budget. The appropriations budgets will not be adopted until after the next
    economic forecast on March 20.
    For a more in-depth explanation of what a capital gains tax in WA would do, see the Budget and Policy
    Center’s report on Closing the Tax Break on Capital Gains. SB 5096 if implemented will be the most
    equitable change to our state’s tax code in almost 90 years. It would affect only 0.2% of Washington’s
    wealthiest taxpayers but raise more than $500 million annually to invest in childcare and tax fairness.

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 26
Status: SB 5096 is currently in the House Finance Committee where it is scheduled for a public hearing on
Monday March 15th at 10 AM. It has not yet been assigned to a committee in the House. This bill is
considered necessary to implement the budget.
Action: Contact your representatives on the House Finance Committee and let them know you support
ESSB 5096. Let them know that you support the Capital Gains Tax to address our state’s regressive tax
system – where our state’s residents with the lowest incomes pay the highest percentage in state taxes than
the highest income individuals. This tax would apply to only 0.2% of Washington’s wealthiest taxpayers
and the income generated would invest the revenue in our state’s community needs. Ask that they pass it
out of committee.
State bank
SB 5188 An act relating to the creation of the Washington State public financial cooperative.
SUPPORT
SB 5188 establishes a public financial cooperative as a cooperative membership organization to receive
deposits from state, local or federally recognized tribal governments and invest the deposits in lawful funds.
The cooperative can also develop and conduct a program to make loans (other than to the state) to its
members for project costs of infrastructure and development projects. Debt is issued in the name of the
bank rather than the State of Washington. The financial cooperative may be activated under the following
conditions:
• the state treasurer completes a study that provides recommendations on staffing and operational
needs for the financial cooperative;
• an appropriation is provided from the state that is sufficient to allow the state to issue debt with a
competitive rating;
• articles of activation are completed in a format approved by the State Finance Committee and
filed with the Secretary of State; and
• a duplicate of the original articles of activation and additional information is filed with the
Department of Financial Institutions.
Status: SB 5188 has passed out of the Senate and is now in the House Consumer Protection and Business
Committee where it is scheduled for a public hearing on Wednesday, March 17th at 8 AM.
Action: Contact your representatives on the House Consumer Protection and Business Committee and let
them know you support Engrossed 2nd Substitute SB 5188 and ask that it be passed out of committee.
HOUSE COMMITEES
Appropriations Committee:
Timm Ormsby (Chair), Steve Berquist (Vice Chair), Mia Gregerson (Vice Chair), Nicole Macri (Vice Chair), Matt
Boehnke, Kelly Chambers, Chris Corry, Michele Caldier, Bruce Chandler, Frank Chopp, Eileen Cody, Laurie
Dolan, Mary Dye, Joe Fitzgibbon, Noel Frame, Drew Hansen, Paul Harris, Larry Hoff, Cyndy Jacobsen, Jesse
Johnson, Debra Lekanoff, Drew MacEwen, Gerry Pollet, Skyler Rude, Cindy Ryu, Joe Schmick, Tana Senn, Larry
Springer, Mike Steele, Drew Stokesbary, Monica Stonier, Pat Sullivan, and Steve Tharinger
Capital Budget Committee:
Steve Tharinger (Chair), Lisa Callan (Vice Chair), David Hackney (Vice Chair), Peter Abbarno, Jessica Bateman,
Mary Dye, Carolyn Eslick, Greg Gilday, Shelley Kloba, Vicki Kraft, Mari Leavitt, Drew MacEwen, Jacquelin
Maycumber, Joel McEntire, Gina Mosbrucker, Strom Peterson, Marcus Riccelli, Alicia Rule, Mike Steele, Sharon
Tomiko Santos, Mike Sells, Sharon Shewmake, and Mike Volz
Children Youth and Families:
Tana Senn (Chair), Tarra Simmons (Vice Chair), Alicia Rule (Vice Chair), Lisa Callan, Rob Chase, Tom Dent,
Carolyn Eslick, Roger Goodman, Lillian Ortiz-Self, Brad Klippert, Bob McCaslin, Emily Wicks, and Jesse Young
Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee
Drew Hansen (Chair), Tarra Simmons (Vice Chair), Peter Abbarno, Lauren Davis, Debra Entenman, Greg Gilday,
Roger Goodman, Jenny Graham, Steve Kirby, Brad Klippert, Tina Orwall, Strom Peterson, My-Linh Thai, Javier
Valdez, Amy Walen, Jim Walsh, and Alex Ybarra
College and Workforce Development Committee:
Vandana Slatter (Chair), Debra Entenman (Vice Chair), Mari Leavitt (Vice Chair), Kelly Chambers, Bruce

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 27
Chandler, Drew Hansen, Larry Hoff, Cyndy Jacobsen, Vicki Kraft, Dave Paul, Gerry Pollet, Mike Sells, and Robert
Sutherland
Commerce and Gaming Committee:
Shelley Kloba (Chair), Emily Wicks (Vice Chair), Drew MacEwen, Kelly Chambers, Steve Kirby, Melanie Morgan,
Eric Robertson, Brandon Vick, and Sharon Wylie
Community & Economic Development
Cindy Ryu (Chair), Dave Paul (Vice Chair), Matt Boehnke, Rob Chase, Chris Corry, Noel Frame, Cyndy Jacobsen,
Jesse Johnson, Vicki Kraft, John Lovick, Alicia Rule, Robert Sutherland, and Jamila Taylor
Consumer Protection and Business Committee:
Steve Kirby (Chair), Amy Walen (Vice Chair), Chris Corry, Jeremie Dufault, Cindy Ryu, Sharon Tomiko Santos,
and Brandon Vick
Education Committee:
Sharon Tomiko Santos (Chair), Laurie Dolan (Vice Chair), April Berg, Steve Berquist, Lisa Callan, Bob McCaslin,
Joel McEntire, Lillian Ortiz-Self, Skyler Rude, Mike Steele, Monica Stonier, Jim Walsh and Alex Ybarra
Environment & Energy Committee:
Joe Fitzgibbon (Chair), Davina Duerr (Vice Chair), Peter Abbarno, Liz Berry, Mary Dye, Matt Boehnke, Jake Fey,
Keith Goehner, Kirsten Harris-Talley, Mark Klicker, Alex Ramel, Sharon Shewmake, and Vandana Slatter
Finance Committee:
Noel Frame (Chair), April Berg (Vice Chair), Amy Walen (Vice Chair), Ed Orcutt, Rob Chase, Frank Chopp,
Jeremie Dufault, Kirsten Harris-Talley, Melanie Morgan, Tina Orwall, Alex Ramel, Larry Springer, Drew
Stokesbary, My-Linh Thai, Brandon Vick, Sharon Wylie, and Jesse Young
Health Care and Wellness Committee:
Eileen Cody (Chair), Jessica Bateman (Vice Chair), Dan Bronoske, Michelle Caldier, Lauren Davis, Paul Harris,
Nicole Macri, Jacquelin Maycumber, Marcus Riccelli, Skyler Rude, Joe Schmick, Tarra Simmons, Monica Stonier,
Steve Tharinger, and Alex Ybarra
Housing, Human Services, and Veterans Committee:
Strom Peterson, (Chair), Jamila Taylor (Vice Chair), Andrew Barkis, Jessica Bateman, Michele Caldier, Frank
Chopp, Greg Gilday, Mari Leavitt, and My-Linh Thai,
Labor and Workplace Standards Committee:
Mike Sells (Chair), Liz Berry (Vice-Chair), Dan Bronoske, Lillian Ortiz-Self, Paul Harris, Larry Hoff, and Gina
Mosbrucker
Local Government Committee:
Gerry Pollet (Chair), Davina Duerr (Vice Chair), Tina Berg, Keith Goehner, Dan Griffey, Eric Robertson, and Tana
Senn
Public Safety Committee:
Roger Goodman (Chair), Jesse Johnson (Vice Chair), Lauren Davis, Jenny Graham, Dan Griffey, David Hackney,
Brad Klippert, John Lovick, Gina Mosbrucker, Tina Orwall, Bill Ramos, Tarra Simmons and Jesse Young
Rules Committee:
Laurie Jinkins (Chair), Steve Berquist, Micelle Caldier, Lauren Davis, Tom Dent, Jeremie Dufault, Greg Gilday,
Jenny Graham, Mia Gregerson, Paul Harris, Cyndy Jacobsen, Mark Klicker, Joel Kretz, John Lovick, Melanie
Morgan, Lillian Ortiz-Self, Tina Orwall, Alex Ramel, Marcus Riccelli, Eric Robertson, Tarra Simmons, Larry
Springer, Monica Juarado Stonier, Pat Sullivan, My-Linh Thai, Amy Walen, and J.T. Wilcox
Rural Development, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Committee:
Mike Chapman (Chair), Sharon Shewmake (Vice Chair), Bruce Chandler, Tom Dent, Mary Dye, Joe Fitzgibbon,
Mark Klicker, Shelley Kloba, Joel Kretz, Debra Lekanoff, Joel McEntire, Melanie Morgan, Ed Orcutt, Erick
Pettigrew, Bill Ramos, Joe Schmick, Larry Springer, and Jim Walsh
State Government and Tribal Relations Committee:
Javier Valdez (Chair), Debra Lekanoff (Vice Chair), Laurie Dolan, Jenny Graham, Mia Gregerson, Mike Volz, and
Jim Walsh

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 28
Transportation Committee:
Jake Fey (Chair), Sharon Wylie (1st Vice Chair), Dan Bronoske (2nd Vice Chair), Bill Ramos (2nd Vice Chair),
Andrew Barkis, Liz Berry, Mike Chapman, Tom Dent, Davina Duerr, Debra Entenman, Carolyn Eslick, Keith
Gohner, Dan Griffey, David Hackney, Mark Klicker, John Lovick, Bob McCaslin, Ed Orcutt, Dave Paul, Marcus
Riccelli, Eric Robertson, Vandana Slatter, Robert Sutherland, Jamila Taylor, Javier Valdez, Mike Volz, Jim Walsh,
and Emily Wicks
SENATE COMMITEES
Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources and Parks Committee:
Kevin Van De Wege (Chair), Jesse Salomon (Vice Chair), Judy Warnick, Jim Honeyford, Christine Rolfes, Derek
Stanford, and Shelly Short
Behavioral Health Subcommittee to Health & Long-Term Care Committee:
Manka Dhingra (Chair), Keith Wagoner, David Frockt, T’wina Nobles, and Judy Warnick
Business, Financial Services and Trade Committee:
Mark Mullet (Chair), Bob Hasegawa (Vice Chair), Perry Dozier, Sharon Brown, David Frockt, Steve Hobbs, and
Lynda Wilson
Early Learning and K-12 Committee:
Lisa Wellman (Chair), T’wina Nobles (Vice Chair – K12 Education), Claire Wilson (Vice Chair – Early Learning),
Perry Dozier, Brad Hawkins, Sam Hunt, Jim McCune, Mark Mullet, and Jamie Pedersen,
Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee:
Reuven Carlyle (Chair), Liz Lovelett (Vice Chair), Doug Ericksen, Phil Fortunado, Sharon Brown, Mona Das, Steve
Hobbs, Marko Liias, Joe Nguyen, Tim Sheldon, Shelly Short, Derek Stanford, and Lisa Wellman
Health and Long Term Care Committee:
Annette Cleveland (Chair), David Frockt (Vice Chair), Ron Muzzall, Steve Conway, Jeff Holy, Karen Keiser, Mike
Padden, Emily Randall, Ann Rivers, June Robinson, Kevin Van De Wege, and Jeff Wilson
Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee:
Emily Randall (Chair), T’wina Nobles (Vice Chair), Jeff Holy, Sharon Brown, Doug Ericksen, and Marko Liias
Housing and Local Government Committee:
Patty Kuderer (Chair), Mona Das (Vice Chair), Phil Fortunato, Annette Cleveland, Chris Gildon, Liz Lovelett,
Shelly Short, Jesse Solomon, and Judy Warnick
Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation Committee:
Jeanne Darneille (Chair), Joe Nguyen (Vice Chair), Chris Gildon, Perry Dozier, Jim McCune, Rebecca Saldaña, and
Claire Wilson
Labor, Commerce, & Tribal Affairs Committee:

Karen Keiser (Chair), Derek Stanford (Vice Chair – Commerce & Tribal Affairs), Steve Conway (Vice Chair-
Labor), Curtis King, John Braun, Jim Honeyford, June Robinson, Rebecca Saldaña, and Mark Schoesler

Law & Justice Committee:
Jamie Pedersen (Chair), Manka Dhingra (Vice Chair), Jeanne Darneille, Mike Padden, Jeff Holy, Patty Kuderer, Jim
McCune, Jesse Salomon, and Keith Wagoner
Rules Committee:
Denny Heck (Lt. Gov – Chair). Karen Keiser (Vice Chair), Andy Billig, John Braun, Reuven Carlyle, Annette
Cleveland, Chris Gildon, Bob Hasegawa, Curtis King, Patty Kuderer, Marko Liias, Ron Muzzall, Joe Nguyen, Jamie
Pedersen, Ann Rivers, Shelly Short, and Claire Wilson
State Government & Elections Committee:
Sam Hunt (Chair), Patty Kuderer (Vice Chair), Jeff Wilson, Bob Hasegawa, and Brad Hawkins
Transportation Committee:
Steve Hobbs (Chair), Rebecca Saldaña (Vice Chair), Curtis King, Annette Cleveland, Mona Das, Phil Fortunato,

1st District Democrats Legislative Alert – March 15, 2021 29
Brad Hawkins, Liz Lovelett, Joe Nguyen, T’wina Nobles, Mike Padden, Emily Randall, Tim Sheldon, Claire
Wilson, and Jeff Wilson
Ways & Means Committee:
Christine Rolfes (Chair), David Frockt (Vice Chair – Capital), June Robinson (Vice Chair – Operating and Revenue),
Lynda Wilson, John Braun, Sharon Brown, Reuven Carlyle, Steve Conway, Jeanne Darneille, Manka Dhingra, Bob
Hasegawa, Jim Honeyford, Chris Gildon, Sam Hunt, Patty Kuderer, Marko Liias, Mark Mullet, Ron Muzzall, Jamie
Pedersen, Ann Rivers, Mark Schoesler, Kevin Van De Wege, Keith Wagoner, Judy Warnick, and Lisa Wellman,
Hint: You can view bills by going to the following website and plug in the bill number for which you want to view
the history and status:
http://dlr.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/
Thank you to the following people who contributed to this edition of the 2021 Weekly Legislative Alert
• Cathy Baylor
• Hannah Febach
• Christina Henry
• Amber Koens
• Jackie McGourty
• Linda Tosti-Lane
• Lisa Weber

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