Governor has been busy signing bills, 303 of them, following legislative session

||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||

That’s a wrap: 303 bills delivered and done

Legislators approved 303 bills during the 60-day session that ended March 10. The action then turns to the governor’s office where he has 20 days to sign or veto legislation. This week he wrapped up signing several dozen bills, including several at signing events with communities and legislators.

Some bills from the Legislature are intended for fun. On Monday, Inslee signed a bill sponsored by Rep. John Lovick establishing pickleball as the state’s official sport. Inslee and Lovick were joined by dozens of pickleball enthusiasts on Bainbridge Island where the sport was invented in 1965.

Most bills, however, bills tackle serious and urgent issues, such as the bipartisan bill to deter theft of catalytic converters. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Cindy Ryu. Inslee also signed legislation requested by Attorney General Bob Ferguson and sponsored by Rep. Debra Lekanoff to create the nation’s first alert system to help locate missing Indigenous people.

Among the dozens of other bills the governor signed this week:

• A bill sponsored by Rep. Liz Berry and promoted by firefighters that makes Washington the first state to phase out toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” in many common products by 2025.
• An anti-hazing bill known as the “Sam’s Law” sponsored by Rep. Mari Leavitt that would require colleges and universities to do more to prevent and report incidents of hazing.
• Updated 2021-2023 capital and operating budgets that fund more shelters and services for people experiencing homelessness, help schools hire more nurses, counselors and psychologists, and continue expanding behavioral health services across the state and for youth.

Humanitarian aid flight from Seattle highlights solidarity with Ukrainians

A cargo plane with $3.5 million in emergency medical supplies for Ukraine left Seattle-Tacoma International Airport earlier this week. Gov. Jay Inslee joined other regional leaders, Consul General of Ukraine in San Francisco Dmytro Kushneruk, and Ukrainian community leaders to watch the cargo being loaded.

The 32 tons of supplies that was sent was collected by Nova Ukraine, Ukrainian Stanford students, the Ukrainian Association of Washington State, and Ukrainian-American Cultural Association of Oregon and South Washington.

“Once again, Washingtonians are stepping up to serve as a beacon of hope and support in the fight for freedom and democracy,” Inslee said. “The world has been inspired by the resilience and determination of the Ukrainian people, and we are standing with them and taking action however we can to reinforce their efforts.”

The cargo includes medical supplies targeted for hospital resupply in addition to materials for pre-hospital stabilization and treatment. Supplies include:

• Surgical supplies like surgical tools, sutures, drug eluting cardiac stents, vessel loops, sterile field equipment, etc.
• Emergency supplies like hemostatic agents, traction splints, chest tubes, laryngoscopes, ET tubes, etc.
• Medical machines like anesthesia machines, vital monitors, ECGs, etc.
• General hospital supplies like gauze/bandages, IV/arterial lines, sterile syringes/needles, etc. 
• Pre-hospital treatment supplies to help civilians wounded during Russian attacks such as pre-made Individual First Aid Kits (IFAK), bulk tourniquets, QuikClot, sucking chest wound seals, gauze, and bandages.

Second COVID-19 boosters approved for people 50+ and others at risk

On Tuesday, the Food and Drug Administration authorized a second booster of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. The second booster is recommended for Americans 50 and older if it’s been at least four months since their last vaccination. This is another chance at extra protection for the most vulnerable.

“Now is a great time to get boosted! Those aged 50 and older are now eligible for a second booster dose, as well as those 12 and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised,” Washington Secretary of Health, Dr. Shah tweeted.

Wednesday marked the 80th anniversary of the Japanese American exclusion on Bainbridge Island

Inslee and First Spouse Trudi Inslee photographed with Natalie Hayashida Ong, the youngest survivor of the internment camps. Her mother, Fumiko Hayashida, was famously photographed while waiting to board the ferry to the camp. The iconic photo is visible on the governor’s phone.

Hundreds of community members gathered Wednesday at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial for a commemoration ceremony to honor survivors and educate the community about the 276 Japanese residents who were forced from their homes and exiled from Bainbridge Island 80 years ago. The U.S. government forcibly removed Japanese Americans from their homes and into internment camps during World War II.

“The historical significance of this national failure still resonates today,” Inslee said. “After 80 years of healing, we must stay committed to the advancement of anti-racism, justice and democracy for all. In this way, we transform the injustices of the past, into reasons to do good today, for a better future.”

Read more about the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial and view photos from the ceremony.

Flags to be lowered on April 4 to honor Officer Dan Rocha

Gov. Inslee is ordering flags to be lowered on April 4 in honor of Everett Police Officer Dan Rocha, 41. Rocha was killed in the line of duty on March 25. 

“Another tragic loss on an already dark day for our law enforcement community. Our thoughts are with Officer Rocha’s wife, sons and family,” Inslee tweeted on March 25.

Read more about Officer Rocha’s life and legacy. 

March 31 is Transgender Visibility Day & Cesar Chavez Day

March 31 was International Transgender Visibility Day, celebrating transgender and non-binary people around the globe and acknowledging the courage it takes to live openly and authentically. This is a day to raise awareness around discrimination and violence that trans people still face today.

“In our consistent pursuit of equality and inclusion, Washington should always be a safe space for people to live freely. To our transgender community, we see you, we hear you and we value you,” Inslee tweeted.

Cesar Chavez Day is also celebrated on March 31, celebrating the birth and legacy of the civil rights and labor movement activist. In Yakima in 2018, Inslee signed a bill establishing March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day in Washington.

“Cesar Chavez embodied boldness in his action to fight for the civil rights of agricultural workers and founding the United Farm Workers. Workers help feed the world and we honor #CesarChavezDay by continuing to fight for the rights of those whose hard labor puts food on our tables,” Inslee tweeted.

Graphic credit to officeholidays.com