|
The Lobbyist's Report
When the 2014 legislative session began, many thought the transportation revenue discussions would be the primary focus. Yet, after a few weeks, the prevailing view is that a transportation funding package is unlikely. Instead, issues concerning medical and recreational marijuana, and the re-invention of the state's mental health system have taken center stage. Currently, the House refuses to hear any of the transportation reform bills until the Senate produces its own transportation package, while the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus holds its ground that there will be no package without reforms. Some suspect the Majority Coalition Caucus of not having sufficient votes to pass a transportation funding bill regardless.
At the end of this week, the substantive committees will be facing their first bill deadline: February 7th is the date when policy bills must be passed out of their committee of origin. Fiscal committees have until February 11th. Thus, this week is really the last chance for most bills to get a hearing. Below are the more interesting hearings set for this week:
On Tuesday:
- Property tax - the Senate Government Operations Committee will hear HB 6162, which concerns tribes and the leasehold tax.
- Firearms - the House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on HI 591, which is titled "Protect our gun rights" and HB 594, titled "Gun sales background check."
- Prevailing wage -the House Labor and Workforce Development Committee will hold hearings on numerous bills addressing prevailing wage: HB 2209, HB 2210, HB 2230, HB 2299, and HB 2527.
On Wednesday:
- Climate change - the Senate Energy, Environment & Telecommunications Committee will start the first of two hearings on climate change, and will hear SB 6264, which caps the greenhouse gas reporting fee at $100.
- Vesting - in the House Local Government Committee; it will hear two bills that limit vesting of development rights: HB 2245, which concerns instances when the urban growth area is expanded, and HB 2234, which concerns vesting when a comprehensive plan or a development regulation is being challenged.
- Firearms - the Senate Law & Justice Committee will hold its hearing on the two gun initiatives, HI 591 and HI 594.
- Minimum wage - the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee is hearing several bills: a bill preempting local governments from increasing the minimum wage (SB 6307), and several that set lower minimum wages for teens (no bill numbers yet).
- School siting - the House Local Government Committee will hear HB 2499, permitting school siting outside of urban growth areas. Currently, the bill impacts only Pierce County.
On Thursday:
- Marijuana - the House Government Accountability & Oversight Committee will hear HB 2322, which prohibits local government from impeding marijuana business.
- Climate change - the Senate Energy, Environment & Telecommunications Committee will finish up its work session on climate change and be updated about the climate legislative executive work group.
- Public works assistance account - the House Capital Budget Committee will hear several bills concerning the funding of the public works assistance account (HB 2244 and HJR 4215).
- Construction costs - the Senate Ways and Means Committee will hold a work session on construction cost trends and concerning capital budget drivers.
On Friday:
It's a light day on Friday.
The 2014 Cutoff Calendar
|
January 13, 2014
|
First Day of Session
| |
February 7, 2014
|
Last day to read in committee reports in house of origin, except House fiscal committees and Senate Ways & Means and Transportation committees.
| |
February 11, 2014
|
Last day to read in committee reports from House fiscal committees and Senate Ways & Means and Transportation committees in house of origin.
| |
February 18, 2014
|
Last day to consider bills in house of origin (5 p.m.).
| |
February 28, 2014
|
Last day to read in committee reports from opposite house, except House fiscal committees and Senate Ways & Means and Transportation committees.
| |
March 3, 2014
|
Last day to read in opposite house committee reports from House fiscal committees and Senate Ways & Means and Transportation committees.
| |
March 7, 2014*
|
Last day to consider opposite house bills (5 p.m.) (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).
| |
March 13, 2014
|
Last day allowed for regular session under state constitution.
| |
* After the 54th day, only initiatives, alternatives to initiatives, budgets and matters necessary to implement budgets, matters that affect state revenue, messages pertaining to amendments, differences between the houses, and matters incident to the interim and closing of the session may be considered.
|
APA Washington Legislative Committee
|
