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

Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday that the statewide eviction moratorium will be extended through June 30, as well as upcoming vaccine eligibility expansion, including restaurant workers and Washingtonians 60 and older. He also announced that effective immediately, many visitations at long-term care facilities and nursing homes may resume.

In addition, the state Department of Health (DOH) launched a new web tool to help people find open vaccination appointments near them.

“It’s another great day to be from Washington state,” Inslee said during a press conference Thursday. “From protecting people’s housing to helping people see their loved ones and getting more Washingtonians vaccinated, we’re continuing to move forward toward recovery.”

There are currently around three million Washingtonians currently eligible for the vaccine, with another estimated two million eligible by the end of the month, bringing the total to five million by the end of March — a much higher number than initially predicted.

Read the rest of the story on the governor’s Medium page.

Legislative update

Gov. Jay Inslee priority bills on climate, racial justice, worker protections and cybersecurity continued to work their way through the state Legislature this past week.

On Tuesday, legislation establishing a clean fuel standard was voted out of the Senate Energy, Environment and Technology Committee. The bill, HB 1091, would help move Washington towards cleaner transportation fuels, reducing emissions in the state’s highest polluting sector, transportation. The legislation now goes to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

On Wednesday, the Senate Ways and Means Committee approved legislation to increase worker protections. HB 1097 would increase protections for workers who raise concerns about safety while on the job, the legislation is now in the Senate Rules Committee and could go to a vote on the floor soon.

Also Wednesday, the House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee voted on SB 5432, which would centralize cybersecurity policies across state government.  The bill now goes to House Appropriations for further consideration.

On Thursday, the Senate Law and Justice Committee approved legislation to establish an Office of Independent Investigations into law enforcement uses of deadly force. HB 1267 now goes to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

The 105-day legislative session is set to run through the end of April.