Author: Jennifer

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Posts by Jennifer

Cutting special education-related funding for infants and toddlers with disabilities

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House Bill 2688 changes the funding formula for Washington’s early support for infants and toddlers program, which provides early intervention services for eligible children with disabilities from birth to age three. Instead of using the multiplier tied to the state’s special education funding formula, the bill replaces it with a flat 1.00. That may sound […]

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Government-run grocery stores

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House Bill 2313 authorizes cities and towns across Washington to establish, own, and operate public grocery stores in areas with food access gaps. Under this legislation, local governments are granted broad authority to acquire land, construct or rehabilitate buildings, and even seize private property through eminent domain to establish these stores. The bill allows these […]

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Washington’s new state income tax

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Senate Bill 6346 creates Washington’s new state income tax, a move that would fundamentally alter the state’s economic landscape. This proposal is historically unpopular. When the bill was heard in the Senate, over 60,000 people signed in against it, and when it was heard in the House, over 100,000 people signed in against it–making it […]

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State takeover of environmental prosecutions and criminalizing unintentional mistakes

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Senate Bill 5360 creates new environmental crimes and expands criminal liability in industries already heavily regulated. While framed as an environmental protection measure, the legislation grants the state Attorney General new prosecutorial authority not contemplated by the state constitution. Under current law, prosecutors already have the authority to bring charges if someone intentionally dumps hazardous […]

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State takeover of local Sheriffs

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Senate Bill 5974 fundamentally alters the Office of the Sheriff in Washington state by imposing strict new eligibility requirements and empowering state bureaucrats to remove elected Sheriffs from office. For the first time, the state Legislature creates a statutory checklist that every candidate for Sheriff must meet. Beyond these initial hurdles, the bill requires all […]

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Reducing accountability for sex offenders who fail to register

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House Bill 2403 significantly reduces the penalties for sex offenders who repeatedly fail to register with law enforcement. Currently, a first offense is a Class C felony, but subsequent offenses are classified as Class B felonies to reflect the severity of chronic non-compliance. This bill eliminates that enhancement, keeping even the tenth offense as a […]

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Shorter sentences for serious crimes

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House Bill 1239 significantly expands “earned release time,” which allows people in prison to reduce their sentences for good behavior or participation in programs. Under this bill, incarcerated individuals could cut up to one-third of their total sentence, including extra time added for things like using a weapon or committing repeat offenses. Under current law, […]

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Keeping tents on sidewalks makes communities less safe

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House Bill 2489 limits when cities, towns, and counties may enforce local laws governing homeless encampments in the use of public spaces, including parks, sidewalks, and public right-of-ways. Under the bill, local governments would be prohibited from enforcing laws related to urban camping, sleeping, or other “life-sustaining activities” on public property unless they can prove […]

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Taxing drinks, one bottle at a time

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House Bill 1607 creates a new statewide bottle deposit system for most beverages sold in Washington. Under the bill, shoppers would be required to pay a 10-cent deposit on every qualifying bottle or can made of plastic, glass, or metal. To run this system, the bill hands control to a new nonprofit organization, known as […]

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Taxing groceries, one bag at a time

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House Bill 2233 bans most plastic bags at retail establishments starting January 1, 2028, expanding the current plastic bag restrictions to cover nearly all plastic bags under 10 mils in thickness. Manufacturers would be prohibited from selling or distributing these bags in Washington, with limited exceptions for food banks, food assistance providers, and certain compostable […]

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