— from Governor Inslee’s Office —
The Legislature continued hearing multiple bills this week despite intense weather that temporarily closed some government agencies.
Two major behavioral health bills unanimously moved out of a Senate committee and onto the next legislative step this week. One bill would expand options to send people with mental illness to a community facility where they could get care instead of being sent to jail while they wait for treatment. The other bill supports the integration of various services to create a more effective behavioral health system.
The governor’s requested broadband legislation passed out of both House and Senate policy committees with broad bipartisan support. Expanding high-speed internet statewide is a priority for the governor, who visited rural communities across the state last year to discuss broadband needs and solutions.
Education bills kept their speed up this week after legislators scheduled a public hearing for a career-connected learning bill. A Senate bill that expands early childhood education moved along after it was referred to a committee for further studying.
Three bills related to the governor’s orca recovery proposal met various actions this past week. Oil transportation safety is scheduled for another public hearing in a Senate committee while a bill that would increase chinook salmon had a public hearing this past Tuesday. Finally, a bill that would decrease noise and impacts from water vessels also moved to the next step after it was scheduled for an executive session next week.
Other bills from the governor’s priority list moved past critical milestones this week in the Legislature. The bills include treating opioid use disorder and providing pre-paid postage on election ballot envelopes. The Senate also voted today to eliminate the death penalty and replace it with life in prison. The bill must now pass the Senate. Inslee, who placed a moratorium on capital punishment in 2014, has said he hopes the Legislature passes the bill this year.
