2023 Session – General Legislative Recap and Look Ahead: Week of April 3, 2023

2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION UPDATE

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

For your general information, today marks the 86th day of the 105-day Washington State Legislative session which began on Monday, January 9 and adjourns on Sunday, April 23.

House Cutoff

Our next cutoff comes today, Tuesday, April 4, which is the Fiscal Committee Cutoff of the Opposite House. It is the last day to read in opposite house committee reports from House fiscal, Senate Ways and Means and Transportation Committees. 

Wednesday, April 12 is the Opposite House Cutoff. This is the last day to consider opposite house bills (5 p.m.) (except initiatives and alternatives to initiatives, matters necessary to implement budgets, matters that affect state revenue, amendments, differences, and business related to the interim or closing the session). 

House Democrats released their 2023-25 state budget proposals earlier this week. Public hearings were held, and the bills advanced from their respective fiscal committees. 

This 2023-25 operating budget proposal would increase state spending to $70 billion, a $6 billion increase over current spending levels. This would continue a trend of historic budget growth. For context, state spending has more than doubled over the last 10 years. 

We have 19 days left until the session concludes on Sunday, April 23.

NEW TAX INCREASES

While some media headlines on this proposal said it did not include any new tax increases, tax-increase policies are still being considered -- including an increase in real estate excise taxes (REET). House Republicans strongly oppose this concept because it would increase the cost of multifamily housing and single-family homes. It would also lead to higher rents. With so many positive developments in addressing our housing crisis this year, it makes no sense to pass legislation that would make housing more expensive. 

The majority party has implemented several new tax increases over the last four years, including a new payroll tax to fund a state-run, long-term care insurance program. This tax goes into effect on July 1. House Republicans opposed this legislation in 2019 and have introduced bills to repeal the program and tax.

2023 WEEKLY HEARING SCHEDULE

Week of April 3 

Below is the weekly schedule of legislative committee hearings we are tracking for the week of Monday, April 3 to Friday, April 7. 

If anyone is interested in watching any of these hearings, they can do so on TVW at www.tvw.org and select the appropriate committee hearing to view. 

To take action on any of the bills you can do the following: 

• To Sign up to Submit written testimony,
• Testify virtually or in-person, or
• To Provide position to be noted for the legislative record, click here. 

• Select either House or Senate (Whether the bills is being heard in a House or Senate Committee)
• Select the Committee name the bill is scheduled for a hearing.
• Select the date of the hearing to the corresponding bill.
• Click on the bill number of interest.
• Then you select one of the options you would like to take
• I would like to testify in person during the hearing.
• I would like to testify remotely.
• I would like my position noted for the legislative record.
• I would like to submit written testimony. 

Please let us know if you would like to take Action on any of these bills or update/change our position(s).

 UPCOMING EVENTS

Appropriations (House) - HHR A and Virtual JLOB - 4/3 @ 9:00am

• 2SSB 5290- Exec Session - Concerning consolidating local permit review processes. (Support/High) 

Ways & Means (Senate) - SHR 4 and Virtual JACB - 4/3 @ 10:00am

• HB 1052- Exec Session - Providing a property tax exemption for qualified real and personal property owned or used by a nonprofit entity in providing qualified housing funded in whole or part through a local real estate excise tax. (Neutral/Monitor)
• E2SHB 1110- Exec Session - Increasing middle housing in areas traditionally dedicated to single-family detached housing. (Support/High)
• E2SHB 1167- Exec Session - Concerning residential housing regulations. (Support/Medium)
• E2SHB 1170- Exec Session - Improving climate resilience through updates to the state's integrated climate response strategy. (Neutral/Monitor)
• 2SHB 1176- Exec Session - Developing opportunities for service and workforce programs to support climate-ready communities. (Neutral/Monitor)
• E2SHB 1181- Exec Session - Improving the state's response to climate change by updating the state's planning framework. (Concerns/Monitor)
• E2SHB 1216- Exec Session - Concerning clean energy siting. (Concerns/Monitor)
• 2SHB 1474- Exec Session - Creating the covenant homeownership account and program to address the history of housing discrimination due to racially restrictive real estate covenants in Washington state. (Concerns/High)
• 2SHB 1534- Exec Session - Strengthening protections for consumers in the construction industry. 

Ways & Means (Senate) - SHR 4 and Virtual JACB - 4/4 @ 10:00am

• SHB 1250- Exec Session - Modifying the low-income home rehabilitation program. (Support/Monitor)
• ESHB 1282- Exec Session - Requiring environmental and labor reporting for public building construction and renovation material. (Concerns/Medium)
• 2SHB 1390- Exec Session - Concerning district energy systems. (Oppose/High)
• SHB 1756- Exec Session - Supporting clean energy through tax changes that increase revenue to local governments, schools, and impacted communities. (Position Needed)
• HB 1847- Exec Session - Establishing permanent funding for a community preservation and development authority approved through RCW 43.167.060. (Position Needed)